WHAT IS TITHING?
The word “tithe” means “a tenth part” or “10 percent”. The Bible tells us that we are to give the first 10 percent of all we earn back to God. Giving less than 10 percent falls short of the tithe.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A “TITHE” AND AN “OFFERING”?
A tithe is 10 percent of your income. An offering is an amount over and above that amount. So offering is anything you give in addition to your tithe – like gifts for special missions or other projects. Tithing is God’s minimum standard, the starting point. As God prospers you, in gratitude you’ll give more.

WHY SHOULD I TITHE?

1. God commands it.
A tithe of all you produce is the Lord’s, and it is holy. (Lev. 27:30)

2. Jesus commands it.
Yes, you should tithe, and you shouldn’t leave the more important things undone either. (Matt. 23:23) (Tithing was the only thing Jesus commended the Pharisees for doing.)

3. Tithing shows that God is first in your life.
The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first place in your life. (Deut. 14:23) (If God’s kingdom doesn’t have first priority in your finances, He isn’t really first in your life.)

4. It reminds me that God gave me everything I have.
Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the ability to produce wealth. (Deut. 8:18) (Rather than feeling that you’re giving God 10 percent of your money, realize God allows you to keep 90 percent of His money. If God doesn’t you have nothing.)

5. Tithing expresses my gratitude to God for helping me earn a living.
How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? (Ps. 116:12) Here’s the answer: Each of you should bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. (Deut. 16:17)

6. Refusing to tithe is stealing from God.
If you don’t tithe, God says you’re robbing Him. God says, Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you ask, How are we robbing you? God answers, In tithes and offerings. Bring your whole tithe to My house. (Mal. 3:8-10) (God has a right to whatever He asks of you.)

7. Tithing gives God opportunity to prove to you that He exists and wants to bless you.
Bring me your tithe. Test me in this, says the Lord, and see if I won’t throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will be protected from plagues. (Mal. 3:10, 11)

This is one of the Bible’s amazing promises. God actually offers you a challenge. He says, “I dare you! Start tithing and watch what happens!” He not only promises to bless you with more, but He also promises to protect what you already have! In the Bible, tithing is the only way given that you can prove God exists. Start tithing, and get ready for God’s blessing.

8. Tithing is essential to spiritual growth.
Just as you grow in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in earnestness and love... see that you also grow in the grace of giving. Many Christians remain spiritual babies because they disregard the tithe.

9. Tithing shows my love for God.
Where your treasure is, your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:21) Where you put your money is where your heart is. Every time you tithe, you are drawn closer to God. 2 Cor. 8:8 says that your giving tests the sincerity of your love for God. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Jesus said, If you really love me, do what I command. (John 14:15)

10. Tithing is an investment in eternity.
Jesus told us to “store up treasures in heaven.”

(Matt. 6:19-20) You do that by investing your money to help people get to heaven. Most of the things you spend your money on won’t even last for ten years, much less for eternity.

11. You cannot outgive God.
There are more promises in the Bible connected to giving than any other subject. Giving opens up God’s promises in your life. When you give, God always gives back to you, but in a greater more sublime way. Jesus said, “For if you give, you will get. Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure. Whatever measure you use to give it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

WHAT SHOULD I TITHE?
Tithe the first 10 percent of every paycheck, and all of your increase. Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns to overflowing. (Prov. 3:9-10) Don’t give Him your “left-over” income at the end of the month. Make Him first.

WHERE SHOULD I GIVE MY TITHE?
The Bible is very clear that God expects the tithe to be given back to Him where you worship – at your home church. In the Old Testament they brought their tithes to the Temple. In the New Testament it’s given at the church. While there are many fine organizations, charities, and ministries, the church is God’s house. You may support other ministries with additional gifts, but tithes are given to your local church.

WHEN SHOULD I TITHE?
1 Cor. 16:2 says, On the first day of every week, set aside some of what you have earned and give it as an offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you to earn.

REMEMBER TO TITHE
Buy a small ledger or record book. Every time you receive income, write it down. Assign 10 percent to Account No. 1 – “The tithe”.

Most churches provide envelopes for tithers. Keep them in a prominent place on your desk as a weekly reminder. Some people write out four (or five) tithe checks when they pay their monthly bills. Then they put one check each in the offering plate.

In order to teach the tithe to your children, get offering envelopes for each of your children to use. Even preschoolers can bring their weekly offerings to church. If your children are old enough to receive an allowance, they are old enough to learn to tithe.

ISN’T TITHING AN OLD TESTAMENT LAW THAT I CAN IGNORE?
First, God established the tithe long before He gave the Law to Moses. If tithing was only an Old Testament Law, why did Abraham tithe 430 years before the Law was given?

Second, God commanded tithing and it was taught by Christ in the New Testament.

SHOULD I TITHE ON MY NET INCOME OR GROSS INCOME?
Proverbs 3:9 says we are to honor God with the first part of all our income. That is referring to our gross income. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, Remember whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.

CAN I AFFORD TO TITHE?
Even if you’re in debt, you can’t afford not to tithe. You need God’s help to get out of debt. There are many financial principles in the Bible, but the starting point is to begin to tithe. Tell God you’re going to put Him first in your finances, that you are willing to obey His Word, and you are trusting Him to help you get out of debt.

THE REAL ISSUE
I’ve heard every excuse ever invented for not tithing. But in every case the bottom line is an unwillingness to do what God says. There are two motives: First, materialistic values. If you’re more interested in “having things” than pleasing God, you won’t tithe. You may store up treasure on earth, but you won’t store up treasure in heaven. Second, unbelief. If you don’t really believe God you won’t tithe.

Bow Your Head and Pray This
Prayer of Commitment:

“Father, I know You love me and want what’s best for me. I recognize that all I have, or will ever have, comes from You. Help me to be more interested in pleasing You than in having more possessions. I want You to have first place in my life, and I am willing to begin tithing as You have commanded. Out of gratitude for all You’ve done for me, and in expectation that You will continue to provide for me, I commit myself to returning at least the first 10 percent of all I earn back to You. I want to begin investing in eternity. Help me to remain faithful to this commitment. In Jesus’ name, Amen."