Full disclosure: The Word of God is about to convince you to take part in this thing called tithing. Not everyone appreciates this subject, but I’m going there anyway.
You should know that I am not asking you to do anything I don’t do. I’ve tithed since childhood and can confirm that what the Bible says about it is true.
You should also know that I will never check to see if you are tithing or not. Your bank account does not have my name on it, so it is none of my business.
This message is not to trick you into tithing, either. It is simply an opportunity to take part in one of the many wonderful things God invites us to do with money.
Hopefully, that helps you put your defenses down so you can listen with a clear head. Let’s start with a scripture we’ve referred to for several weeks now:
Genesis 15:1 NLT - Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
This is God’s word for us this year as we embrace explosive multiplication. A financial storm is coming that will be destructive to the wicked and amazing for the righteous.
No matter how intense the storm gets, we must remember that God will protect us and turn the storm into a reward for the righteous.
What does this have to do with tithing? Well, this word came to Abraham after he had engaged in tithing. You only have to back up five verses to read all about it.
Abraham's obedience to tithe has a direct correlation with the great reward that was headed his way.
The fact that Abraham tithed debunks a popular argument about tithing. Some people say, “Tithing was under the law, so it doesn’t apply to us.”
Yes, tithing was part of the law. But here we are, several hundred years before the law and learning about tithing through Abraham.
Do you know what that means? Tithing is a spiritual principle that existed before the law. It worked before the law, during the law, and even now, after the law.
Think of it how the law tells us not to murder. That wasn’t a new revelation. Everyone has known murder is wrong since Cain killed Able. The law simply put a spiritual truth in writing.
If you want to hold on to the empty argument that tithing went away with the law, suit yourself. Just don’t waste your time with me because this scripture we are about to read is enough proof that tithing is not tethered to the law.
Genesis 14:17-24 NLT - After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”
There you have it. For some reason, Abraham was moved to give a tenth of His income to the priest Melchizedek. Why? There was no law to tell him to tithe. Why did he do it?
Abraham was a man of God. He is the father of our faith. He was obedient to what the Lord asked him to do. His connection with God unveiled this spiritual principle we call tithing.
You know how when you look up to someone, you find out what they did to get to where they are? Abraham is a great guy to look up to, probably better than anyone currently alive.
I don’t know about you, but I would love for there to be books that speak about me the way that the Bible speaks about Abraham. What a guy! I am going to follow his lead.
The only person that could change my mind on this subject is Jesus. Whatever He says supersedes everything. So, let’s take a look at what Jesus said about tithing.
Matt 23:23 NLT - “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.
Some people use this as an out for tithing. But Jesus didn’t give you an out. He said you can’t use your perfect tithing record as an excuse not to do the more important things.
In other words, “Yes, you should tithe. But your tithe doesn’t make up for these other things that you are not doing.”
Let’s back up a bit to when Jesus teaches about taxes.
Matt 22:17-22 - Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply amazed them, and they went away.
There is an aspect of this scripture that is often overlooked. Jesus seemed to slip in a little bonus phrase to help out those of us who pay close attention to what He is saying.
In the midst of talking about taxes, He said, “give to God what belongs to God.” The context here is money. Apparently, some of our money belongs to the government, and some of it belongs to God. Which part belongs to God, exactly?
And so we land on everyone’s favorite scripture.
Malachi 3:8-12 NLT - “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
The tithe belongs to God. That’s the first 10% of your income. It is not yours. It is God’s.
Why is this so important to Him? Because God wants His house to operate in abundance. God wants those who lead His house to be well-fed. God wants His house to care for widows and orphans.
God is so passionate about the tithe that He offers an incredible and undeserved reward for those who tithe.
Isn’t it strange to get a reward for giving God something that belonged to Him anyway?
Maybe that’s why so many people have a hard time participating in this amazing opportunity. It sounds too good to be true. Yet, it is true because God’s Word makes it clear.
When you tithe, it opens the windows of heaven for you. Blessings pour out, people call you blessed, and your land becomes a delight—all because you gave the first 10% due to the Lord.
You can try to come up with more excuses not to tithe, or you can shut up and take God at His Word.
This is the only time I recall God inviting us to test Him. So, go ahead and put Him to the test. Every time you get paid, give the first 10% to God’s house before you pay for anything else.
To give by cash or check, use the offering envelope in front of you. Drop it in the donation box on the way out or mail it to PO Box 2168, Owasso, OK 74055.
You can give online anytime by visiting nolimits.fyi.
If you are new to tithing, I am not asking you to scramble right now to figure out how much you owe. God is not sending the IRS angles after you to figure back tithe.
Simply start with your next paycheck. Go home and put a system in place to make sure the first 10% of your income goes to God’s house. And every time you give it, release it with faith.
Say, “Thank you Lord for the opportunity to tithe. I trust that what your Word says is true. Since I am obedient to tithe, the windows of heaven are open and pouring out blessing after blessing. I look forward to the increase so I can give more next time.”
If you don’t have a job with a regular paycheck—maybe you own a business or have a side gig going on—your increase is the profit of your business.
I do this in my business by running an income statement on the first of the month for the previous month and then tithe on the profit of the previous month.
Another common question about tithing is if you tithe on the gross or net of your paycheck. To put God first, you tithe on the gross—whatever your pay is before taxes and other deductions.
In other words, don’t let the government have its cut before you give God what belongs to Him. And hopefully, Trump can do what he said and eliminate income taxes.
Most importantly, don’t let the enemy beat you up if you haven’t been tithing. Just start where you are, and thank God for the opportunity to be able to jump in at any time.