Tithe

"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 you will not have room enough for it...." Malachi 3:10 

Tithe means one tenth.  As a small child, I received a payment of ten (10) cents for the chores I had done.  My father handed me ten pennies and asked me, "How much of this belongs to the Lord?"  I took one of the pennies and said, "This one Papa."  He said, "Right, son.  Always remember that all things are a gift from God, and that we are to always give Him back what He has freely given us.  That is giving honor and glory to the Lord God Almighty."

        And there is a promise attached to this way of honoring the Lord.  God Himself says, "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 you will not have room enough for it.  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty.  "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.  Malachi 3:10-12

When we give the Lord Almighty one tenth of all of our money, He promises to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not be able to contain it all!!  Blessings from God come in many forms, for He alone is able to give to you in such a variety!  God may bless you marriage, and your children, give you greater peace and joy, increase you health, reunite you with those with whom you have been estranged, give you a better life materially, and much much more!  No one but the Lord God knows how He will reward you for your glorifying Him.

Tithing opens the window of God's Blessings.  We do not buy God's favor.  Instead, the Lord loves a cheerful giver. (2Corinthians 9:7)  One who chooses to give thanks to God by sharing what God has already given him with God Himself!  God says that if we give the first fruits to Him, we will be aligned properly to where we will be seated directly beneath His window of blessings!  

If we choose to keep things for ourselves, then we are shading ourselves away from His light and grace and blessings.  We are hiding His gifts away from the Lord God Himself.  No doubt, the Lord who sees all things knows when we are keeping things from Him.  "I the Lord do not change....you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.  Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.  "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'  "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.  "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me."  Malachi 3:6-9  

The ways we can give is of our money, our earnings that might not be money such as our crops or crafts, our time, our talents, our spiritual gifts, our physical ability to help others, and of every gift that God has given to each of us!  (Matthew 25:14-30)        

Each gift is to be brought before the Lord Almighty in prayer to ask where He wants you to give it.  If you do not feel like you received and answer, then go ahead and give anyway, cheerfully!  For the Lord will reveal Himself to you for your thanksgiving and faithfulness!  For the Lord is due His honor and glory and it shall not be taken from Him.    The gifts should be given first to the church you regularly attend.  Then His tithe can be given to many other works: to the ministries where you are fed in God's Love and truth, to the homeless and prison ministries, to missionaries here and in other countries, to groups who care for God's nature, and anywhere God's hand is at work. 

Tithe means tenth but this is in a relationship between you and the Lord.  Only God and you know how much you can give, where to give it, how often you can give, in what ways you can give and all of the details of your circumstances. God never wants you to go into debt with His giving, for then it is not of His giving, since it is not money you have actually received. Back to giving.

Jesus Himself says we are to tithe.  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin.  But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness.  You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."  Matthew 23:23, Luke11:42               Jesus Christ says not to neglect giving the Lord God Almighty His tithe, and to also practice justice and the love of God.

Tithing began with Abraham who had learned the law through faith before the time of Moses and the Books of the Law. (Romans 4:3,22;  Genesis 15:6)      Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.  He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,      "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.  And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."  Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20.  After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward."  Genesis 15:1

Melchizedek is a foreshadow of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Melchizedek was the king of Salem, which means Peace and means Jerusalem.  And the bread and wine foreshadows the sacrifice Jesus gave of Himself on the cross for our sins!  (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-10; 6:20; 7:1-28)

Tithing does not bring salvation of your soul. Tithing is giving honor and glory to God Almighty.  Salvation brings you the desires of your heart.  Tithing gives to God what is already His.  Tithing opens the window of blessing to you.  Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ is needed for permanent peace and joy and love in your soul and Righteousness.  

"And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." says the Lord God Almighty in Malachi 3:13-18.

 

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