Tithing may very well be the most debated practice within the Christian church.
The Tenth, as it is described in Malachi 3, is demanded by God from His people and used to insure provisions for His house (Malachi 3:10). In those days, people would give a tenth of their personal prosperity, which likely included livestock or crops. These things have been replaced by money.
Simply put, God requires that His children tithe ten percent of their earnings to Him through His church. This command is one that is easily understood, but the value of the practice is often lost on people. The benefit of favor as written in Malachi 3:11-12 is a result of obedience. God favors obedience and double-dares us to “try Him” and “see” if He is able to “pour out blessings”(Malachi 3:10). But more than this favor lies the lessons this practice teaches each time we perform it.
1. God demands to be our top priority.
The Jews in Malachi 3 were guilty of putting themselves before God. They were fraudulent in their tithing and kept what they believed to be best for themselves (3:9), and in doing so were breaking covenant with God. Tithing would become the practice that reinforced this standard of placing God first back into the hearts of the Jews. This principle still lives today, not only with God, but in our own lives. Whatever is a priority to you gets your money the quickest. God will not be second place in any facet (Exodus 20:3-4).
2. God demands our best.
The Jews in Malachi were giving a tenth, but not the tenth. They were bringing lame and halted animals to the temple and keeping unblemished animals for themselves. In those days, sacrifices were to be precious and prepared. God wanted a tithe to be a representation of the affections of the giver. He wanted their best, not their worst. When we bring the tithe, we should prepare to give it. This requires that you know what you earn, decide to give a tenth of that amount, and then budget around that amount left so that you can live knowing you put God and His kingdom first. Understand how precious this moment means to God. This is the moment the child gets to be a blessing to the business of the Father. It delights God to bless His children, but it excites Him when those children return a portion of those blessings back to Him.
3. God can’t be out-done.
Our abilities to obtain wealth and material comes from God (Deuteronomy 8:18). We have because He has given. The tithe is only a tenth, ten percent of what we have. No matter what you earn, whether its $100 or $100,000, the percentage is the same for both. When it comes to our material and resources they all belong to God, but He only requires 10% of it back to His church. This practice and standard keeps us at a place where it is impossible for us to assume that we give to God more than He gives to us! We have far more to live with financially than His Kingdom (with regards to resources) will ever have.
Think about this. The greatest gift God has given us is a gift our money could never purchase. Jesus is the reflection of God giving to us out of His gross. We can’t out-give God, but we can obey Him. Bring the tithe cheerfully, intentionally, and accurately.
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