Christians in Action

We know from God’s Word in Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil and we need to keep money in the proper perspective in our lives. It is a means rather than an end.  As we seek God’s rule first in our lives all our needs will be met.

We will look at what God says about how to handle our money, and what to do with it. God expects us to give of our first fruits. Look at Malachi 3:8-12

      8.) Will not a man rob God?

      Yet you have robbed Me!

      But you say, In what way have we robbed You?

      In tithes and offerings.

      9)You are cursed with a curse,

      For you have robbed Me,

      Even this whole nation.

      10) “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 you such blessings that there will not be room

      enough to receive it.

      11) 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 your field.” Says the Lord of hosts.

      12) And all nations will call you blessed,  for you will be a delightful

      Land” says the Lord of hosts.

God tells us to we rob Him by not giving of our tithes and offerings. The tithe is the first ten percent of your income (that’s before taxes). Let’s say you make $2300.00 a month, 230.00 belongs to God. Actually, everything belongs to God, look at Psalms 24:1 It says; the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those that dwell in. So really everything is God’s even us; therefore, we are giving God what is His already, and He lets us manage the rest.

This spiritual principle was around before it was written in the Law of Moses; it is first mentioned in Genesis 14:20

      And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

      And he gave him a tithe of all.

The he and him referred to in this verse is talking about Abram giving a tithe to (him) the high priest Melchizedek.  Melchizedek was blessing Abram (notice it is not Abraham, his name was not yet changed) and Abram gave his tithe to him. We see that the tithe was giving to the high priest, where Abram received his spiritual blessings. We also give our tithes to where we receive our spiritual blessings, such as where we attend or belong to a church. Our offerings (anything above the tithe) can also go to the church or a ministry that is furthering the gospel of Christ.

Tithing is a spiritual principle which Abram continued through his life and it was passed down to his decedents.  Look at Genesis 28:22

     And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and all that

     You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.

God had given Jacob a promise and Jacob had also given God a promise to follow him and give back to God a tenth. The tithe became a law as seen in Numbers 18. In this the Levites were chosen to be the priests of the tabernacle and the tithe was giving to them for the work they perform (verse 21), and from this tithe they received from the children of Israel, they were to give a tithe of it (verse 26).  These verses verify the giving of tithes to the church. A pastor or minister also needs to live and the church’s bills also have to be paid. Our tithing allows for these things to happen. This is scriptural and God seeks our obedience in this, so He can bless us.

I know personally that tithing works; I have seen how God has provided where there didn’t seem like any possible way for me to meet my obligations but because I trusted God with tithing, He was able to bless me.

If you have a testimony about how this principle worked for you, I would love to hear about it. Or if you have any questions please leave it in the comment box.

Looking forward hearing your comments and questions.

4/28/10

Giving

We have talked about tithing, giving ten percent of our incomes automatically. But let’s look more at what God says about giving, beyond the tithe. Let’s begin in Luke 3:11    

He answered unto them, “He who has two tunics, let him give one to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.

We see from this verse God wants us to give of our abundance, we often feel the need to horde our money, and things for fear we might not have enough when we really need it. But we all know the phrase “it is better give than to receive,” which comes from Acts 20:35.

Not only does God want us to give, He wants us to give cheerfully, and willingly. Corinthians talks about how the new Christian believers in the first century gave to the churches need for other believers. Let’s take a look at II Corinthians chapters 8 and 9.

In Chapter 8, Paul discusses how the saints gave to those in need freely and willingly (v.3, 4). He tells them it is to their advantage in giving. He admonishes to give so all will have their needs met- so there won’t be any lack among the churches of believers (10-13). Now in Chapter 9 Paul tells the Corinthians, he has been boasting about their giving, and he sends brethren to help prepare the gift they promised beforehand. He then exhorts them to give what one purposes in their hearts, and reminds them that God loves a cheerful giver.  In giving it, God makes all grace abound so that they have all sufficiency in all things for every good work.  

Look at Luke 6:38

Give and it shall be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put in your bosom. For with the same measure that you use it will be measured back to you.

We have nothing to fear when we give, we get it back and then some. It is important to listen to the Spirit in where God wants us to give. He may prompt us to help someone or give to a particular ministry. We never lack when give out our obedience to God. 

Many stories have been told when people have obeyed God’s voice and gave what God has laid on their hearts. Do you have a story you can share with us, we would love to hear it.