Why We Give
Being a faithful steward over all that we do is not an easy task. As Believers, the glory crown comes with a price and we certainly have to count the cost for all that we are doing.
Tithing reflects a grateful heart that wants to give back to God a portion of what God has given us, in reality what already belongs to God. Tithing is an opportunity to show God as the first priority in our lives. James 1:17 says that “every good and perfect gifts is from above.” So we have an opportunity to tangibly show God as the “owner” of our finances by giving back to God the first of what God gives us.
There are three reasons why we should tithe.
1. Tithing is a heart issue.
What is the most important thing to you? Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We can see the reality of that in the world today and the exaltation of the financially successful and more personally you can see that by looking at your own checkbook.
2. Tithing is a biblical principle.
Long before tithing was a practice of the Israelite people, Cain and Abel, the second generation of the human race, brought an offering to the Lord. The Lord blessed Abel’s offering, but rejected the offering given by Cain. Abel brought the “firstborn of his flock,” while Cain brought “some of the fruits of the soil” as an offering. God wants to be first in our lives. The following scripture show the biblical principle of tithing.
Genesis 14:18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.
Genesis 28:22 “And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”
Leviticus 27:30” And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lords. It is holy to the Lord.”
3. The benefit of tithing.
God’s kingdom is built on multiplication and not division. God uses the tithe as an investment where everyone involved gets a return on the investment. Obviously the church and the kingdom are blessed, and yet God’s nature is to also bless the giver.