What is tithing?

"Tithe" means 10% or "a tenth part".  God's Word tells us that the first 10% of everything we earn or receive belongs to Him.  God says in Malachi 3:8, if you don't give your tithes and offerings to Him, you are a thief.  In verse 9, He says that we bring lots of problems on ourselves if we don't tithe.  The only way God's work will be done on this earth is if God's people give of their finances.  Certainly, the world isn't going to finance the end time harvest.  It's the responsibility of the church, or God's people.

What is the difference between "Tithes" and "Offerings"?

The tithe is to be the first 10% of everything you receive financially.  An offering is any amount you would give above the tithe.

Well, I thought tithing was Old Testament Jewish Law that is not for today.

No!  According to Galatians 3:17, the Law came 430 years after God instituted the promise and tithing with Abraham.  If tithing was under the Jewish Law, why did Abraham tithe 430 years before the Law was given?  According to Genesis 14:20, Abraham tithed to the Priest Melchizedek from the very beginning, hundreds of years before the Law.

I cannot afford to tithe!

If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you can not afford not to tithe!  You need God's supernatural help if you are ever going to get out of debt.  If you wait for your ship to come in before you tithe, you may be waiting a long time.  Put your faith into action today by giving Him the first 10% of everything you earn or receive, and watch how He helps you get out of debt.  I would also encourage you to teach your children to tithe to God from an early age, so they will be blessed all the days of their lives.

1.     God commands it.  In Malachi 3:10, God says, "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse".  The storehouse refers to the place where you worship.  The tithe is to be given to your home church, the place where you are spiritually fed.  When you give to support charities and other ministries, you should be giving out of your offerings.  The whole tithe belongs to the local church.

2.     Tithing proves God's Word is true.  God says, if you will put Him to the test in tithes and offerings, eventually you will see great blessings overtake your life, even to the point that you will see God open the windows of blessing upon you and your family.

3.     God will rebuke the devourer.  According to Malachi 3:11, you have an enemy that will steal all your finances, but when you bring God the whole tithe, and give offerings as He leads you, God will rebuke the enemy.  When you become a follower of Jesus Christ, the enemy targets you and your finances.  You need God's help if you are going to make it financially in today's world and the tough times that we live in.  God actually challenges every believer to "put Him to the test" in their giving, and watch what He does in their lives.  It is time to put God to the test, and watch God's blessings flow toward you.  Do it today!

4.     Tithing teaches me to put God first.  According to Deuteronomy 14:23, the purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your life.  If God has our finances, then we know He has our hearts.  If we refuse to tithe, we prove that He really isn't first in the first place.

5.     Jesus recognized tithing.  In Matthew 23:23, Jesus recognized or commended the Pharisees for tithing.  Tithing was the only thing they were doing right.

6.     Tithing is essential to spiritual growth.  God tells us in Luke 16:11, "if therefore you have not been faithful in the use of money, how can you expect Him to entrust greater riches to you?"  Many Christians don't grow spiritually, and remain spiritual babies because they are not faithful to obey God in the tithes and offering.

7.     Tithing proves you love the Lord.  In 2 Corinthians 8:8, God says that your giving tests the sincerity of your love.  You say you love the Lord, but you prove you love him when you give.  Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words.

8.     Tithing is an investment for eternity.  In Matthew 6:19, Jesus told us to "store up treasure in heaven."  When you give your tithes and offerings to the Lord's work, you are investing your money in souls for the Kingdom, and helping to get people to heaven.

9.     You cannot "beat" God in giving.  In Galatians 6:7, God says, "do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap."  God is watching, and whatever you give to Him, He will give back to you.  Giving unlocks heaven's gates on your behalf.  You cannot beat God in giving.  The more you give to Him, the more He'll give back to you.