Watch Pastor’s full sermon on giving and tithing below:
In today’s world where financial decisions weigh heavily on our minds, many Christians wonder: Is tithing still relevant? Are we really required to give 10% of our income to the church? Let’s explore what Scripture teaches us about this vital spiritual practice.
Understanding Tithing: More Than Just Money
Tithing isn’t just about maintaining church operations – it’s about our relationship with God. When we understand the deeper principles behind tithing, it transforms our entire perspective on giving.
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings.” – Malachi 3:8
1. Tithing Is Not Optional
Jesus himself addressed this when confronted about taxes. His response was revolutionary:
“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” – Matthew 22:21
This isn’t just about money – it’s about recognizing God’s authority in our lives. Just as we pay taxes to support civil government, we tithe to support God’s kingdom work.
2. Tithing Demonstrates True Devotion
Remember the widow who gave her last two coins? Jesus praised her not for the amount, but for her heart. Her story teaches us that:
- God looks at our heart, not our bank account
- True giving flows from devotion
- Sacrificial giving touches God’s heart
3. Tithing Tests Our Stewardship
Here’s a challenging truth: How we handle the first 10% reveals how we’ll manage the remaining 90%. Jesus put it this way:
“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.” – Luke 16:10
4. Your Tithe Is Holy to the Lord
This might be the most overlooked aspect of tithing: When you set aside that 10%, it becomes sacred. Consider this powerful scripture:
“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” – Leviticus 27:30
When we grasp this truth, it changes how we view the remaining 90% of our income. Would you rather have 100% that’s unconsecrated or 90% that’s blessed?
5. Tithing Fuels the Great Commission
Perhaps the most compelling reason for tithing is its direct connection to fulfilling Christ’s final command:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19
Your faithful giving helps:
- Support missionaries worldwide
- Maintain places of worship
- Provide resources for ministry
- Reach the unreached with the Gospel
The Challenge: Test God in This
Here’s where God makes an extraordinary invitation:
“Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
This is the only time in Scripture where God explicitly invites us to test Him. Are you ready to take Him up on this challenge?
Your Next Step
This week, I challenge you to do three things:
- Calculate exactly what 10% of your income is
- Set up a recurring giving schedule
- Keep a journal of how God proves faithful to His promises
Remember: Tithing isn’t about enriching the church – it’s about enriching your relationship with God and participating in His kingdom work.
Has this article challenged your perspective on tithing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to watch the full sermon for more detailed insights.