The Importance of Tithing
Did you know that the best way to make money is to give it? Huh?
No, really.
You can be assured of financial security and favor from the Lord by following one simple command - to tithe.
What is your tithe? It is a tenth of your income before taxes. The Hebrew word for tithe translates to "tenth" or "tenth part." You figure one tenth of all you and your family earn and that is your tithe.
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. Leviticus 27:30
Where do you give your tithe? To the local New Testament church you are a member of. This is not money for missions or the money you choose to send to a TV evangelist - your tithe goes to your home church.
Why is my tithe so important? Several reasons, but most importantly because you are being obedient to the Lord. Anything we read in the Bible, regardless of whether it is Old Testament or New Testament, is relevant to our daily Christian lives.
Another reason is the blessings for that obedience. We read about the bountiful blessings God bestowed upon Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (to name a few) even before the law was given. How much more will we be blessed now for continuing to follow this command?
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thy oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. Deuteronomy 14:22-23
Do I have to tithe everything? If by everything you mean all the money and possessions you have, then yes. Whenever money comes into our home, whether it's a paycheck, piano lesson money, a gift or a rebate, we write a check for ten percent and take it to church on Sunday. This isn't to have a great statement at the end of the year or for people to see us putting an envelope in the plate. We want to be honest with the Lord about what we give Him.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8
Everything that we have and will ever have is God's and not returning a portion of that is not only disrespectful, but cheats ourselves out of His glory. The Lord knows our hearts and He knows why and how we give our money in tithes and offerings. The blessings for our obedience are many, as we support our church and watch God bless our own finances in return. If you're not already tithing, or doing some imitation of tithing, I encourage you to pray about your obedience and your finances. There is never any penalty for putting money into the bank of Heaven, but the penalties are great when you deny the Lord what is His.
No, really.
You can be assured of financial security and favor from the Lord by following one simple command - to tithe.
What is your tithe? It is a tenth of your income before taxes. The Hebrew word for tithe translates to "tenth" or "tenth part." You figure one tenth of all you and your family earn and that is your tithe.
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. Leviticus 27:30
Where do you give your tithe? To the local New Testament church you are a member of. This is not money for missions or the money you choose to send to a TV evangelist - your tithe goes to your home church.
Why is my tithe so important? Several reasons, but most importantly because you are being obedient to the Lord. Anything we read in the Bible, regardless of whether it is Old Testament or New Testament, is relevant to our daily Christian lives.
Another reason is the blessings for that obedience. We read about the bountiful blessings God bestowed upon Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (to name a few) even before the law was given. How much more will we be blessed now for continuing to follow this command?
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thy oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. Deuteronomy 14:22-23
Do I have to tithe everything? If by everything you mean all the money and possessions you have, then yes. Whenever money comes into our home, whether it's a paycheck, piano lesson money, a gift or a rebate, we write a check for ten percent and take it to church on Sunday. This isn't to have a great statement at the end of the year or for people to see us putting an envelope in the plate. We want to be honest with the Lord about what we give Him.
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8
Everything that we have and will ever have is God's and not returning a portion of that is not only disrespectful, but cheats ourselves out of His glory. The Lord knows our hearts and He knows why and how we give our money in tithes and offerings. The blessings for our obedience are many, as we support our church and watch God bless our own finances in return. If you're not already tithing, or doing some imitation of tithing, I encourage you to pray about your obedience and your finances. There is never any penalty for putting money into the bank of Heaven, but the penalties are great when you deny the Lord what is His.
Thanks for the post, obedience really is the key to the blessings of God.
ReplyDeleteHow else can God use us to display his glory, if we don't want to obey his commandents to further his kingdom on earth.