Deuteronomy 14:22 - Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Tithe equals one tenth. We are to give back to God the first ten percent of everything that we earn. The Bible makes the purpose of tithing very clear. It is to teach us to put God first, and break the love of money and materialism off our lives. Giving the first ten percent of your paycheck to God makes you focus your attention on Him. It is also a good reminder that all we have belongs to God. Tithing will keep God at the top of your priority list, and give proper perspective on everything else you have. Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." The "storehouse" is referring to the temple, which is referring to the church of which you are a regular member. The whole tithe of course, is ten percent of your gross earnings from your paycheck, and any other sources of income. Everything we have is from God and He wants us to be faithful stewards, returning a portion of what He has given to help advance His kingdom here on earth. When you decide to keep 100% of what God has given, you are stealing from God, and setting yourself up for trouble. Malachi 3:10 continued - "Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." God truly wants to bless you, and obedience in the area of tithing promises great blessings. God is faithful and always keeps His promises, but remember that blessings are not always monetary or material things. Proverbs 3:9/10 - Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. The "firstfruits" refers to giving God the "first" and the "best" of your income and harvest. Many people only want to give the leftovers, if they can afford to, but this is a backwards attitude. God wants you to honor Him first with your increase. This shows that God has first place in our lives, above our possessions, and that we know all our resources come from God. Giving to God first helps us to claim victory over the lustful desires and greed of our flesh, and opens the door for overflowing blessings. Luke 16:10 - Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Everything you have and earn belongs to God, and He wants you to be a faithful steward. When you prove your faithfulness, no matter how much or little you have, God will begin to add increase to the things that He entrusts you with. Most people think - "I just can't afford to tithe - I just can't make ends meet now." But the truth is, you can't afford NOT to tithe. Through God's faithfulness and blessings, you will live better on 90% of your income than you could ever live on the 100% without God's blessing. Matthew 12:41/44 - In these verses a poor widow put two small copper coins worth less than a penny into the offering, as many rich people threw in large amounts. Jesus then comments saying... "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty put in everything - all she had to live on." When we give a certain percentage of our income and consider it a great accomplishment, we look like those who gave out of their wealth. When we give out of poverty, it's admired and honored by God as generous and sacrificial giving.
|
3 SOS Ministries, Inc. "Recovery thru Redemption" ®
Addiction Recovery and Support Program
© 2006 G.D.Smylee and 3sos.org - All Rights Reserved