In a similar way to how I am to spend the first part of my day’s time with God, He asks me to spend the first part of my income with Him. The word “tithe” means “a tenth”, so I choose to give a tenth of my income back to God. And notice it’s “income”, if you don’t have income you can’t give a tenth of your income. But why does God ask us to give back a tenth of our income? Can He not accomplish His purposes in His creation without our meager contribution? Of course He can.
God communicates an incredible promise to believers in Malachi chapter 3:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 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 there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10
The “storehouse” refers to the body of believers you worship with. It’s your local gathering of believers – the place you call your church. So it makes sense to give back to God through the place you are benefitting spiritually from. It is an essential part of your worship, to reflect that you recognize everything you have is from God in the first place.
REASONS PEOPLE DO NOT TITHE/GIVE
God does not come first. It is about them and their needs/interests first.
They do not believe in tithing.
They don’t trust Church’s leadership with finances.
They are overextended or in debt.
A difficult financial season.
They are either new to faith, or they are making changes in their lifestyle and finances to better reflect the values of the Kingdom of God.
They do not see the value of supporting God’s work with their finances.
No matter what season or reason you may find yourself in financially, do not let the enemy rob you of the blessing of giving.
God dares you to try Him. He’s a giver you cannot outlive him.
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