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Tithing

Now that we have considered all of the aspects of a giving heart, let us also look at the practical implications of a generous life.

It is quite important to look at a famous scripture in the Old Testament about tithing. Tithing was a very complicated program in the Old Testament, with very complicated dimensions, that sustained the temple and its functions. And it had a dark side if people did not obey it.

Malachi 3:8-10 You people are robbing me, your God. And, here you are, asking, “How are we robbing you?” You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me. That’s why your whole nation is under a curse. I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.

Jesus changed our whole approach to the matters of the law in the New Testament when he declared on the cross: ‘It is finished.’ We do not live under the curse of the law anymore. And so, our motivation for our giving is not fear-based anymore. We see that he did endorse the principle of tithing:

Matthew 23:23 You Pharisees and teachers are show-offs, and you're in for trouble! You give God a tenth of the spices from your garden, such as mint, dill, and cumin. Yet you neglect the more important matters of the Law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the important things you should have done, though you should not have left the others undone either.

BUT! The motivation for our giving is our love for Him and His purposes. We live under His declaration that we are blessed, not because of our giving, but because of our faith in Christ! Our giving is because we are blessed and not so that we will be blessed!

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Followers of Jesus take the first of their income, and they sow it into establishing the Kingdom of God on earth, through the Church of Jesus. That is our worship and declaration that He is Lord of our lives.

We encourage you today to live with the habit of taking the first of everything you receive and giving it away. Do this as an act of faith and a declaration of your trust in your Maker to sustain you with all your financial needs.