Recently in our Grow Group Bible studies we have been looking at God's economy, around Tithing and Offerings. I found the teaching, and discussion, challenging but it has been a great blessing to me. So, I wanted to write this blog to encourage anyone who is thinking to start tithing or giving offerings and has found it difficult as I found this difficult at the start.
Tithing
It's been great to learn more about Tithing, it's importance to God and our responsibility with it.
This has been a challenge to me as I didn't find letting go of the 10% all that easy, as I'm guessing many don't at the start.
After looking at both following scriptures, my wife and I started tithing as we felt it was important to God and that the 10% is His.
It says in Malachi 3:8-11 (NIV)
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 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. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.
Also, in Matthew 6:33 (NLT and AMP)
NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
AMP
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
In the Amplified, the part that stands out to me is "His way of doing". Tithing feels strange from a world view, but it's HIS WAY. What I found the most challenging was dropping my world view I had grown up with and re-adjusting to His way.
I love how God gives us the responsibility of giving the tithe, this gives opportunity to seek His kingdom first and trusting Him at His word. This is also the only time God says, "Test me".
Since we have tithed, we have been blessed with more pay from work, bonuses, and provision. Before that honestly, we had constant issues around this area.
Offerings
We also looked at Offerings and how they are separate from the tithe. This is us giving from our 90%. This totally down to our heart and how much we want to give.
Offerings lets us share in God's heart and love for blessing people.
Paul references Jesus's words in Acts where He says it is more blessed and brings greater joy to give than to receive. This is very true and what I experienced in giving.
Acts 20:35 AMP
In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’”
If you would like to start offerings, pray, and see if God puts someone on your heart. Or if you see a need, go for it. Even if it's a small amount to start with, it could be a huge blessing to someone. But the best thing is you will see Gods heart when you give.
So, my question to you is how do you feel about tithes and offerings?
I hope this blog has either encouraged you to start or to ask someone for more information. I also hope it helps you to feel more comfortable with the idea of tithes and offerings if it looks strange to you.
If you would like to learn more on tithes and offerings take a look at Beth Jones teaching on generous living, this is what we watched and discussed in our Bible Studies and has been a huge blessing to us. You can find this teaching on YouTube, just follow the link.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgVCE8z8d9pSEB0YfUweqxaEGG-jRR1vj
3-Month Tithe Challenge
At GoChurch we have something called the '3-month Tithe Challenge' for anyone wanting to take the first steps in tithing.
Many people have experienced God’s blessing when they tithe. Taking that first step can be the hardest one to make. That’s why we created the 3 - Month Tithe Challenge: a money back guarantee. Based on God’s promises in Malachi 3:10 - 11 we ask you to commit to tithe for 3 months. If God doesn’t hold true to His promise to bless you, we will refund 100% of your tithe for this period.
If you want to know more about this then please speak to one your leaders in GoChurch who will be able to help you with more details.
