Tithing is something many Christians dread. Some say it's not applicable anymore since Christ didn't explicitly teach it. Christ might not have mentioned it alright, but He did say that He isn't abolishing it. In Matthew 5:17 we read Jesus saying,
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."
That said, we will do well to understand what a tithe is and what God says about it.
What's a tithe?
Compared to all the good things and blessings that God has given and will be giving us, a tithe is a very small thing. In Genesis 14:20 we read that it's a "tenth of everything" that we receive from God. Simply put, it's a tenth of our income, earnings, and what we receive outside of those two.
God commands that we should give this so that "there'd be food in My house" (see Malachi 3:10. Some church members worry about where the tithe really goes or how it is being used. This is normal, but it shouldn't be a reason for us not to give our tithes to God. Don't worry - God will call those who misuse the tithes we give to account.
To encourage you to give your tithes unto the Lord, here are a few things all of us should know about it, coming from Malachi 3:8-10
1) It's evidence of our return to God
Some of you might be shocked to read this, but did you know that tithing is one proof that we have truly returned to the Lord? While all Christians know that Christ Jesus is the only way to God, not as many believers understand that our finances also have to come under the Lordship of Christ.
That said, tithing is one sure way to submit our finances to His Lordship. Malachi 3:6-10 tells us that we rob God when we don't give our tithes. Giving our tithes is actually one way of showing repentance for how we handled our God-given provisions.
Not only that, our tithes also provide food for those who work full-time to preach the Gospel, so they can continue preaching the Gospel. Not only do we submit our finances to Christ, we also fund the work in His Kingdom.
2) God dares us to tithe
Also, did you know that tithing is God's challenge to man? In Malachi 3:10 God said that we should test Him in the area of finances through tithing.
God's command actually dared us to trust not in money but in His capacity to provide more than what we actually need. He actually places a bet, saying that "if you give Me your tithes, I'll bless you with so much more than you'll ever handle."
Well, since God never lies and turns His back on His word (see Numbers 23:19), we're sure to receive that when we give our tithe.
3) It unlocks great blessing
Many of us need to have a change in perspective. Many Christians struggling in the area of tithing think that it's really difficult to give the tithe because "I need it." Well, God knows that we need it, but think about it from His perspective: our tithes signify readiness for more blessing.
Let's talk about investments for a moment. Normally, people who invest in a certain company or undertaking are investing because they believe their money will grow there. However, they also know that they will have to shell out some funds in order to invest. To cut to the chase, in order to receive larger returns, we have to invest.
Tithing, however, is far greater than any investment. It's not an investment, actually - it's simply returning to God what He gave to us so that He can give us more.
He gave us the power to produce wealth, and from this wealth we receive our income. From our income we take the tenth and return it to God. When we faithfully return the tenth to Him, He will pour out so much more than we can handle, simply because He promised to do so.
"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." (Malachi 3:10)
In closing
Friends, I am encouraging each and every one of you to give your tithe. It's an act of obedience to a loving God and Father whose plans for us are not to harm us. Rather, His good, pleasing and perfect plans are to prosper us, give us hope, and a future. (see Romans 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11)
We can't go wrong with that.
