You are responsible for your blessings. Of all the art of giving, tithing is one that has become so problematic for people to the extent that it becomes a burden, even to some who pay it.
This is a glimpse into what was in the mind of God when He commanded it, and what we stand to gain as generations evolve.
Malachi 3:9-10 says, "A curse is on all of you because the whole nation is cheating me. BRING THE FULL AMOUNT OF YOUR TITHES TO THE TEMPLE, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things. (GNB)
What is so important about tithe paying? Let us see few things about tithing.
1. It is an emblem of obedience:
You are not obedient to God enough until you are obedient in your possession.
A man was willing to follow Jesus, but he was not ready to part with his possessions (Matt. 19:16-29).
2. It is an indication of being responsible:
Do you see a man who claims to be responsible, have all provisions available (however much or less), yet do not provide for his home and still claim to be responsible? NO!
The essence of tithing is to make provisions available for the house of God. During the levitical period, tithes were commanded to be brought to the temple so that it could serve as a provision to do the running of the temple (the Levite, needy, etc).
In our modern context, it is for paying bills, workers' salaries, etc. Be responsible for your Father's house.
3. It is about recognition of the person of God:
How do you see God in this regard - slave master, thief, or tyrant? No! The scripture affirms it, and God said it that it is He who gives you the power to make wealth (Deut. 8:18). David recognized this when he said in 1 Chronicle 29:14 that, "But me--who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand. (MSG).
All that you have is not by your strength or wisdom. You need to recognize this.
4. It begins from faithfulness:
You need not be ashamed or embarrassed by how much you give as a tithe. If your tithe is 10 naira, pay it; if yours is 10 million naira, pay it. It is not about how much, it is about paying it in full.
Luke 16:10-11 says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (GNB)
This implies that if you are not faithful in paying your tithe when you are earning smaller salary, you will not pay it when you earn big. This can close doors of opportunity to a higher paid business or job, since God knows you won't be faithful to Him. Hence, God is calling you to be faithful in the little you earn now. It can trigger God to bless you more.
However, God knows how much he has blessed you with.
1 Corinthians 16:2 "...in proportion to what you have earned..."
This portion contextually is about the offering, giving. But it is a pointer to the fact that God expects you to be faithful to the proportion of blessings He has blessed you with.
Psalms 94:9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? (NIV)
5. It is a prerequisite for blessings:
God promises that obedience to tithing provides an open door for God's blessings. Don't doubt God. If He says you would have no room to store your blessings, He meant it.
He did the same in Samaria as it was prophesied by the prophet and just in some minutes, it happened; only the man who doubted it did not partake in it (2 Kings 7).
6. It can also lead to curse:
If God's blessings are sure, His curses are too real to discredit too. Devourer is real, don't wait till you experience it before you start to obey. Tithing is an act of worship. (Ex. 22:25-26).
7. It should be promptly paid.
Since God has planned the harvest of the Israelite, each year, seasons has its own quantity of harvest, and same goes for the tithe they are to pay.
Even now, each weeks, months and years has its portion of God's blessing. So, the tithe meant for January should not be delayed till the next month.
"1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned..."
Remember, it is all about obedience, faithfulness, and covenant for blessing.
Some people also believe that as New Testament believers, we should not be paying tithe. That would be an error. Jesus himself said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.
Matthew 23:23 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. (NLT)
8. It should be brought to the Temple:
Some are also of the opinion that if they use the money meant for tithe to help the needy, give as alms to the poor or benefactorial deeds as such, will amount to be of equal value to paying it as tithe. There are some pastors also, who would demand that it is paid to them. That is outrightly wrong too.
Tithe is to be taken to God's house (temple). Not to any man. If you want to give something to your pastor, do it separately. If you want to help the needy, which is necessary too; do it separately as well.
- Joshua Adesina
@pjoshb
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