The word “tithe” simply means 10 percent. Well, 10 percent of what? The word “tithe” is merely a method of calculating the minimum of your gross income that is to be returned to God.
According to the Bible, although everything on this planet belongs to God, He allows us to control 90 percent of what we have. The remaining 10 per cent (or more accurately worded the first 10 per cent) is to be returned to God. Notice I said “returned” to God; I did not say “given.” You cannot give what is not yours, and the Bible is clear that the tithe belongs to the Lord. We are stewards of His possessions while we are on Earth. We are to return 10 percent of our gross income to our local church, after which we can keep 90 percent. This is not optional.
“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.”
(Leviticus 27:30,32, NKJV)
“You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.”
(Deuteronomy 14:22, NKJV)
When Did Tithing Start?
Tithing started right in the beginning in Genesis in the story of Abram (later God changed his name to Abraham). Abram had gone to rescue his nephew Lot, who was captured by a foreign king. On his way home, in the Valley of Shaveh, he ran into the King of Salem (ancient Jerusalem), whose name was Melchizedek. The King brought bread and wine and blessed Abram. In return, Abram gave him a tithe of all that he had (Genesis 14:18-20). Note that this practice of tithing took place before God made His covenant with the people of Israel. The tithe continues to this day, and Jesus said we must give our tithes (Luke 11:42 AMP, TLB).
What is the Purpose of Tithing?
Three Purposes of Tithing:
Why does God ask us to tithe? The answer is easy.
1. Tithing tests our heart. It is a test of obedience to see if we will obey. God wants to know where our hearts are.
2. God may not need your money, but the church does, and God wants to use you to pay the bills, and to build His Kingdom. Duet. 8:18
3. Tithing is not a method of getting money from you; it is a method of getting money to you. This principle is based on a spiritual law. In fact, this law will work for the believer and the non-believer. I’ll prove it.
The Spiritual Law of Tithing
Have you ever met a poor Mormon? Although the Latter- Day Saints “church” is not a Christian church, the Mormon “church” insists their members tithe and make offerings to their church.
Mormon people, in general, are fairly financially successful. How can this be if they are not Christian, in spite of thinking that they are? Very simply because tithing is a spiritual law and applies to anyone that uses the law. “The rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45, NKJV). I have met people who are not Christian in any way, nor do they attend any kind of church, nor even believe in God, but they do believe in tithing, and they are exceptionally prosperous.
To grasp these concepts, again, it is very important to understand that tithing is not an act of giving. We worship the Lord by returning to Him what is His. You cannot give what is not yours. Christians have a bad habit of saying they are “giving” their tithe. What you are doing is returning to Him what is already His in the first place.
Tithing Is an Act of Worship
Hopefully, you are a cheerful giver (actually a “returner”), but maybe without thinking about it, you’ve allowed tithing to become a religious ritual. You write the cheque and put it in the bucket. End of story. Perhaps you may even resent the whole process of offering your tithe before the Lord. If you do, you need to ask for forgiveness, change your attitude, and repent.
Did you know, less than 10 percent of the body of Christ tithes! Think of how quickly the entire world could be transformed if ALL Christians tithed! The act of tithing is a sacred act of honour; it is an act of worship!
Under the Old Covenant, the people were to take their tithe to the priest declaring, “With this gift I acknowledge to the Lord your God that I have entered the land He swore to our ancestors He would give us” (Deuteronomy 26:3, NKJV). Then the priest would place the tithe in a basket and present it on the altar before God as the people declared aloud their redemption before the Lord (verses 5-10, 13-15).
How to Tithe Biblically
The procedure that takes place in most churches on a Sunday is something that is simply not biblical – that is the passing of the offering plate. The correct procedure is to have an altar of some kind, somewhere in the church or gathering place, at which the people present their tithes.
Here is how I recommend people return their tithes:
1. Bring 10 percent of all of your combined household gross income.
That includes earnings, bonuses, inheritances, gifts, winnings – everything. It does not need to include income tax returns. Why? Because you’ve already tithed on your income and paid that tax in the first place.
2. Pray over your tithe
The next step is for you (and your spouse, family, etc.) to lay hands on the cheque, and pray over it by thanking God for His provision in your life.
Note: You are separating (sanctifying) this money from the rest of your money. By doing so, you are making it holy. The word “holy” means to separate something from everything else. Make sure you pray with a humble, thankful, and grateful heart, praising God for His wonderful provision in your life.
Related: How to Pray Over Your Personal Finances
3. Bring your tithe to the altar
The people should then return the tithe to the Lord, either giving it to a priest to put at the altar on their behalf or placing it on the altar themselves.
When you get to church, walk up to the altar of God and place it there (hopefully your church will have some sort of depository). Then you should continue to praise God for His wonderful blessings in your life.
If your church does not have an altar with an opportunity for you to bring your tithes to that altar, suggest to your pastor that you get one! Show him Deuteronomy 23. An “altar” does not have to be anything fancy. It can be a simple stand or table, or you can even use the steps to the stage. If you like, you can decorate your altar with a theme reflective of the time or season of God’s calendar (which people errantly call the “Hebrew calendar”).
4. Take Communion over Your Tithe
I strongly recommend taking communion when you return your tithe. This changes the entire focus of your tithe and moves you away from a ritualistic routine to an act of worship, respect, and awe. It also allows you to meditate on God’s goodness, considering your tithe as holy and dedicated to God. All of this will make you sure your heart is right before God, and that is when you open the door for God’s blessing.
The Lord’s Supper symbolizes the entire work Jesus did when He died for us; it is far more than a ritual or tradition. When you drink of the wine/juice, meditate on the fact that Jesus’ blood is what has cleansed you from sin. When you partake of the bread, meditate on the physical torture and spiritual anguish Jesus suffered to save you from every part of sin’s curse – fear, poverty, lack, danger, temptation, addiction and more. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is an act of worship and should be done in faith and love.
You don’t have to receive Communion in church – you can partake of Communion in your own home, or in fact, anytime, anywhere. If you haven’t made a practice of taking Communion regularly for any reason, it is high time to start! The Communion table is also the table of healing, the table of deliverance, and the table of confession. It is like God’s spiritual central power-station.
Think of it this way, whenever you receive Communion, it deepens your faith. Further, it makes God’s covenant far more real; we begin to realize the value of Jesus’ sacrifice and payment He made with His body and blood. Receiving Communion requires faith, so it is important to do so with determination.
Your Heart and Your Tithe
You must understand, the tithe is consecrated (sacred) and holy to God. The attitude and condition of your heart is crucial. If you have been giving ritually out of religious obligation, not mixing your tithe with faith, you’re throwing a blessing away.
Tithing is heartfelt, deliberate, and intentional. Most of all, it should be joyful! The person who gives cheerfully, revering and fearing the Lord is a true tither before the Lord.
Author: Dr. S.R. Watkins
Dr. Watkins is a licensed pastor with Eagle World Wide Ministries in Hamilton, Ontario and commissioned by the Global Spheres Centre in Corinth, Texas as a Business Apostle. He is a member of both the Canadian and International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, the International Society of Deliverance Ministers, the Global Council of Nations, the Calgary Christian Connect Group and the CEO of New Start Ministries Ltd.
Dr. Watkins teaches biblical economics, business, economics and investing; spiritual gifts, warfare, healing, deliverance, cleansing the land, intercessory prayer, evangelism, prophecy and many other dynamic subjects. At home in Alberta, he enjoys music, fine dining, skiing, fitness, gardening, collecting western art and antiques. Somehow, he manages to read two books a week! He is a Life Member and past President (5 terms) of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. For further information about his teaching classes and consulting visit New Start Ministries website.
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