An Exegesis of Malachi 3:6-12
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Scott Christian University, Machakos, Kenya.
Abstract
This paper exegetes Malachi 3:6-12 using historical-grammatical method of exegesis and principlism in order to suggest a workable application of the injunction on tithing to contemporary Christians in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. This becomes necessary because of the recent resurgence of affront on the pro-tithing Churches’ teaching and practice of tithing. It was found out that for ancient Israelites who were the immediate audience of the Oracles of Malachi, tithing is inseparably connected to the agricultural produce from the land of promise; failure to remit the tithes appropriately resulted in seizure of rain and consequent failure of agricultural productivity of the land. Therefore, the injunction and penalisation attached to its default subsisted within the ambit of covenant relationship Yahweh had with the people. In relation to the New Testament teachings, giving is a timeless principle that subsumes tithing. Therefore, while percentage specific giving may not be rigidly mandated today, financial and material stewardship is a timeless principle for the community of faith then and now, which must be premised on genuine
personal relationship with God.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Fawenu, Bamidele Olusegun. 2020. “An Exegesis of Malachi 3:6-12”. Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology 39 (2):1-31.