Why I Tithe

“Christianity devoid of giving, prayer, fasting, or forgiving is a Christianity that Jesus would not recognize.” - Paul Richardson
Psalm 241 (NIV)
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
“Tithing is a spiritual decision,
not a financial one.”
Proverbs 39-10 (NKJV)
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Myth #1
The church wants my money
Myth #2
The church should not talk about money
Matthew 619-21 (ESV)
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.” - Billy Graham
Myth #3
Tithing has only to do with the law
Genesis 43-5 (NASB 2020)
3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy.
Hebrews 114 (NLT)
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts…
Proverbs 2127 (NLT) The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
Proverbs 39 (NASB 2020)
Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce.
Genesis 1418-20 (NIV)
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 2822 (NIV) and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”
Tithing is being obedient to God’s and returning to him the first 10% of your income.
Matthew 2323 (NIV)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth (tithe) of your spices-mint, dill and cumin. 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.
Galatians 64-9 (NIV)
4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
5 for each one should carry their own load.
Galatians 64-9 (NIV)
6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Galatians 64-9 (NIV)
8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
1 Corinthians 97-8 (NASB 2020)
7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock?
8 I am not just asserting these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does the Law not say these things as well?
1 Corinthians 99-10 (NASB 2020)
1 Corinthians 911, 13-14 (NASB 2020)
1 Corinthians 162 (NIV)
Why Do I tithe?
1. It will provide for the church to function.
2. It tells God I trust him.
3. It creates a margin for God to fill.
4. It reminds me that I am not my source.
5. It connects my money to a kingdom purpose.
6. It gives my job eternal significance
7. It transforms my money into a seed
8. It breaks greed and self reliance off of my life.
9. It lets everything in my life know that God is first.
10. Tithing is not an act of generosity, it is an act of obedience.
1. Tithing puts God first in my life
2 Corinthians 812 (NIV)
2. Tithing makes me a part of what God is doing at the local church.
1 Chronicles 293 (NIV)
3. When I tithe,
I go from a church hopper to a church planter
Romans 1116 (NIV)
Malachi 38-10 (NIV)
Malachi 38-10 (NIV)
The storehouse is the place where we get spiritually fed, where we are planted, where we use our gifts and talents - that’s your local church.
1. You tithe where you are planted
2. Your tithe is not designated
3. God asks that each person gives the first 10% to Him through the Church