WHY GIVE?
The Bible tells us in (James 1:17) that everything we own and every good thing that we have is a gift from God. So, when we give, we simply offer Him a very small portion of all the abundance He has already given to us. Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God. It comes from a heart of worship that recognizes that everything we give already belongs to Him.
1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT - But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
As you give both faithfully and faith-fully, the world is changed for the glory of God. The gospel is preached, lives are touched, people are fed, bodies are healed, churches are built; and God, in turn, blesses you, so that you can give again.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NKJV - So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
WHY TITHE?
The purpose of tithing is to teach us to show honor by always putting God first in our life.
Proverbs 3:9 NKJV - Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
A big question among Christians today is whether or not we should tithe based on our gross or net income. Well, according to the Bible, God is to be honored first, even ahead of the government. This means we tithe on our gross income. Tithing is a reminder that God is the supplier of everything we have. It is also God’s personal invitation to an outpouring of his blessing in your life.
Malachi 3:10-11 NKJV - Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts; What is a tithe and how is it different from an offering?The word, "tithe" literally means tenth or 10%. A tithe is the first 10% of your income. An offering is anything you give above and beyond the 10%.
IS THE TITHE FOR TODAY?
Tithing is not only an Old Covenant command, but also a New Testament blessing and privilege (Hebrews 7:6-8).
WHERE DO I GIVE MY TITHE?
You should present your tithes to wherever your, “storehouse,” is (Malachi 3:10). Your church, “The house of the Lord.” (Nehemiah 10:35).
WAS TITHING BEFORE THE LAW?
People who claim that tithing is an old covenant concept that doesn’t apply to us today either haven’t looked at it very closely, or are willfully disregarding what the Bible says about it. Some people just have hard hearts when it comes to money.The first time we see someone give a tithe is in Genesis chapter 14. Abram (before God changed his name to Abraham) has returned from a successful raid to take back his nephew Lot who was kidnaped in a battle between several kings. Not only did Abram get his nephew back, but he completely defeated the army that took him and captured all the spoils of war that the army had too.Then in verse 18 of that chapter Abram encounters a guy named Melchizedek, who is an unusual king and priest. Let’s pick it up there.
Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV – 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.
