Tithing isn't an easy subject. The idea of giving your money to God isn't an easy pill to swallow, even for believers. However, it is the only area in the Bible where God invites you to test Him and see how He will bless you.
In one of the best sermons we've ever heard on the principals of Bible finances, check out this sermon by Josh Wagner of Bridgeway Community Church in Fishers, Indiana.
By: Theron Steinke, Fair Fight Founder
Psst… we’re going to talk about tithing. Okay, wait, wait…before you scoff and scroll away, I promise you this is not a “the church needs your money” speech.
So here’s the deal. Tithing is a hard thing to do (and apparently also a hard thing to blog about). Let’s start with Malachi: “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”. …intense, right? So not only does God tell us to give, but he actually says that we can test him in this and that our cup will ‘over-floweth’ so-to-speak.
Ah, but wait, we also have to check out what Matthew says: “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”. Hmmm, so basically, we need to be generous and giving… but not be super-braggers about it.
Okay, so here’s my goal. I’m not going to be a big bloggy bragger about my own personal tithe… but I am going to share with you that it works. God has always taken care of me and my family. Never once did he magically put an extra zero in our account balance, or let me stumble across a winning lottery ticket. It doesn’t work that way. Rather, he has provided us with extraordinary opportunities and circumstances when we needed it most. These otherwise unexplainable blessings have always provided for my family.
Oh, and if you have a preconceived notion that all Christians are rich…ha! Seriously, we live in a 3 bedroom ranch and, yes, we will occasionally send that “hey, don’t use the debit card until Friday” text. Again, it’s not about dollar signs. It’s about faithfulness and provision. My family has a roof over their head and my children have an abundance of chicken nuggets for their bellies.
So why give? Because it’s win-win. You can help someone in need and (as long as you do it with a humble heart) God will open the floodgates and provide for you. Do you know why he does this? Because the more you give… the more he’ll give to you… so that you’ll have more to give again.
