Tithing

tithing - I know I should tithe, but I have so many other expenses. How important is tithing to God?

You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year.

Deuteronomy 14:22

I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.

2 Corinthians 8:3

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

THE OLD TESTAMENT emphasizes the command to tithe (give one-tenth of our income to God’s work), but the New Testament doesn’t use the word “tithe” except in reference to the Old Testament command. Instead, the New Testament emphasizes generosity. Generosity goes beyond tithing and is meant to encourage God’s people to give sacrificially. For some this may mean giving less than one-tenth of our income, but for most it means giving much more than that! Our giving is a means of supporting the work of God in our local church and around the world. When you give God the first part of your income rather than what is left over, you demonstrate that he is your top priority and that you are grateful for the blessings he has given you. Instead of asking, How much of my money do I need to give to God? ask yourself, How much of God’s money do I keep?

Prayer Prompts

Lord, this is how I feel about tithing: . . .

Your Word encourages me to grow in my generosity because . . .