Why Tithe?

Do you remember Jesus asking people, "Do you worry about life? Do you worry about what you will eat or what you will wear or where you will live or what mode of transportation you will have or how you will pay your bills or how much is in your savings account?"

By asking these questions, Jesus reveals to us that He knows what is weighing on our hearts and minds. He knows what keeps us up at night. Isn't it easy to forget this? I am grateful for John 4 when Jesus tells the Samaritan Woman about her life without her having to share her story. I am glad God reminds us that He knows the details of our lives even to the point of knowing each hair (or lack of hair) on our heads. (Luke 12:7)

Jesus taught and trained people not to worry about life, how - by seeking God first. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Matt 6:33

One of the ways we seek God first is in tithing. God instructed us way back in history, long before the NT that "the purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives." Deut 14:23 (LB)

Tithing, bringing the first 10% of everything I receive to God, has helped me in so many ways.

Tithing breaks me free from greed, materialism and debt.
Tithing teaches me to be content.
Tithing changes me to care about what God cares about.
Tithing unleashes God's hand of blessings on my life.
Tithing expands my faith in God.
Tithing provides for the needs of others.
Tithing puts God's church in a position to live out the Great Commission of seeking and saving those who are lost, hurt and broken.
Tithing changes peoples' lives.

God asked Malachi, "Will people rob God?"
Malachi responded, "How are we robbing you?"
God explained, “You are robbing me in tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:8-10

What has God taught you about tithing? How has God changed your life as you tithe? How has God changed people in need with your tithe? How has your church changed because of your tithe? How has the world changed because of your tithe?

Dave Ramsey says, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Seeking to be generous with our lives like Jesus.
Pastor Chris

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