Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food
in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts,
if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a
blessing until there is no more need.
Malachi 3:10
Many churches encourage their members
to tithe, which traditionally means to give the first ten percent of your gross
earnings to the church or entity which feeds you spiritually. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, tithing was
the way the Hebrew people sustained the Levites who served as priests, rather
than as shepherds or other forms of laborers who earned wages. But is the practice relevant today? Is it necessary in order to receive?
I’ve heard many sermons on this topic,
from a variety of churches I’ve attended over the years. Although they always encourage it, most have
not gone so far as to say tithing is necessary to receive, while others have
suggested that it’s sufficient. Usually
the verse from Malachi shown above is referenced as evidence that it’s a sound
practice that will ultimately bless you.
From my personal experience and
observation, I’ve concluded that tithing is neither necessary nor sufficient in
order to receive. However, I have been a
faithful and joyful tither for over ten years and have no intention of
quitting. Tithing just makes sense to
me: ten percent to God, ninety percent to me.
How many professionals do you know of who take only a ten percent cut?
I don’t know who said it first, but
the expression “you can’t out-give God” rings true for me every time I hear
it. Although not everyone who tithes is
wealthy, I don’t know of anyone who went broke tithing either. While tithing may not be the only thing we
need to do to manifest prosperity, I think it’s a step in the right direction,
especially when money appears tight. For
me it’s a tangible indication that I’m putting my trust in the one true,
unlimited Source.
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