TITHE AND OFFERING!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MARCH 26, 2022. 

SUBJECT: TITHE AND OFFERING!

Memory verse: "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3 vs 10.)

READ: Deuteronomy 14 vs 22 - 23:

14:22: You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.

14:23: And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 

INTIMATION:

Tithe and offering are practices that have been with God from the beginning. Tithing (giving one-tenth of your increase) is a commandment from God, and not a choice. 

Giving (offering) is inherent in God's Nature. After creating man, God, in His Nature, gave to man: "And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. (Genesis 1 vs 29 - 30.)

Many ancient peoples observed the practice of tithing—that is, giving a tenth of their earnings (or produce, harvest etc,) back to a leader or a god. The first instance of tithing in the Bible is Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek. The Israelites were required to tithe of their crops, fruit, and herds. The tithe was received by the Levites to support them. The Levites in turn, gave “a tithe of the tithe” to support the priests. 

The passage we read today makes the purpose of tithing very clear—to teach us the fear of the Lord, and put Him first in our lives. We are to give God the first and best of what we earn. For example, what we do first with our money shows what we value most. Giving the first part of our paycheck to God immediately focuses our attention on Him. It also reminds us that all we have belongs to Him. A habit of regular tithing can keep God at the top of our priority list and give us a proper perspective on everything else we have. 

No one is exempt from returning to God a portion of what is received. The tithing principle is still relevant, God expects all His followers to supply the material needs of those who devote themselves to meeting the spiritual needs of the community of faith. Ask God for direction on what you should give and to help you give generously.

Paying of your tithes and offerings may seem like a hard thing to do at first, because most people will think they are giving out their hard earned resources. But who gave you what you have? Or who gave you the power to get them? It is the same God (Deuteronomy 8 vs 17 - 18). Until you realize God's reason for asking you to do it, you will struggle with obedience to that commandment.

As it is now, It is difficult and expensive to offer God our best (that is, the first part of what we earn). It is always tempting to shortchange God because we think we won’t get caught. But our giving shows our real priorities. When we give God the leftovers, it is obvious that He is not at the center of our lives. Give God the honor of having first claim on your money, time, and talents. 

It has been observed as a hard step of faith for many Christians especially those new in the faith. But it is a step in which God commands us to prove Him, "Try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts." And when you try Him in tithes and offerings, He will prove Himself by opening for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

His reason for asking you to give to Him is testing of your faith and trust in Him, because He will still return it to you. God has bound Himself to give to people as they give to Him. If they give liberally, He will return to them liberally, if they are stingy with Him, He will be stingy with them. But God will give back whatever is given to Him. 

God is so faithful and committed to your welfare if you obey His commandment. He has even promised to ensure that all He has given you will remain with you and you will enjoy them hence His rebuking the devourer for your sake, and also, He will ensure you prosper in your endeavors, "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3 vs 11.)

Prayer: Abba Father, all I have comes from You, and without You I can do nothing! Engrace me with the spirit of raw obedience in returning to You in tithes and offerings, which is absolutely for my own good, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!