My 7 Basic Questions About Tithing

Ministering: Pastor I.S James

Topic: My 7 Basic Questions About Tithing

Text: Mal. 3:8-12

In order to answer these questions, there are 2 basic realities to accept:

1. Most people don’t mind giving to God, their opposition however rises when they learn they have to tithe
2. That the tithe (money) that’s given doesn’t go into God’s hand directly, but into the Church’s coffers.

It is based on these 2 realities, that people tend to question why they ought to give tithe.

Here are two basic reasons why God wants us to give tithe:

1. To finance His work here on earth. (Gen. 12:3, Deut. 8:18, Matt. 24:14)
2. He wants to bless us so that during our stay here on earth, we won’t be paupers.

Two facts of life that relate to tithing (and giving as a whole):

1. Tithing doesn’t give us access to heaven. The principles He’s given us govern the quality of life that we live here on earth.

• Getting into heaven is based on our acceptance of Jesus’ love & sacrifice for us
• Then committing ourselves to live our lives according to His will for us.
• Pray that He finds us worthy.

2. God’s perspective on tithing differs from that of people.

Perspective – a mental picture, view or facts that known to a person allows him/her to have a meaningful relationship with others.

Why is it that our teenage children don’t listen when they’re told to focus on education & invest in their education as against fun & games?

It’s simply because of the difference in perspective. The variance in perspective is what brings about the conflicts and differences in opinion.

7 Basic Questions About Tithing:

1. What’s tithe?

• The literal translation of the Hebrew word (MA’ASER) is tenth.

2. What does the Bible say about tithing? (2 Chron.31:6, 2 Cor. 9:6-7, Ex. 13:11-16, Lev 27:32-36)

• Tithing isn’t optional & must be given to the LORD in the right measure.

3. Who should tithe?

• Everyone – no one is exempt from tithing.

When you tithe, you are making the following declarations:

• You originated from God
• You acknowledge God’s your source

Your obedience to God gives you much more than the physical & tangible things you can count. God places a mark on everyone that gives tithe that wards off the devourer from your life.

4. Should I tithe on the net or gross of what I earn?

• Give your tithe on your gross earnings.

5. Should we who live under the New Testament give tithe, isn’t it a practice that belongs in the Old Testament?

• The principle of tithing preceded the law (old testament), so the time we live in doesn’t have a bearing on our giving tithe. (Gen 14:20)
• Matt. 23:23 – Here we see Jesus referring to the practice of tithing.

Important facts to guide us in Bible interpretation:

• At the Cross, some Old Testament practices were abolished (e.g. animal sacrifice).
• At the Cross, some practices were changed from their natural nature into a spiritual form, because the principles they represent have been fulfilled. (e.g. circumcision).
• At the Cross, some practices remain unchanged (e.g. praise & worship and tithing).

How do you know what’s changed, abolished or remain the same? The people God used in starting the church would have told us. (Eph. 2:20)

6. What do I get by tithing?

• You are blessed.  (Mal. 3:11-12)
• Being blessed means you’re empowered to prosper. God’s power’s backing you up and is causing you to succeed in life.
• The choices you make to obey God are accompanied by blessings. (Deut. 30:15)

7. What happens if you don’t tithe?

• People who refuse to tithe are under a curse.
• A curse is a negative force that is working against you to ensure you fail in your endeavours.
• A curse is a consequence of one’s poor choices

Ex. 17:2,7, Luke 4:12, 1 Cor. 10:9, Num. 21:6-9

The passages listed above show us that God doesn’t take kindly to being tested/tried/tempted.

What does it mean to test/try someone?

• Asking someone to prove himself
• Asking someone to do something that’s against his nature
• Trying to provoke someone

How come when it comes to tithing, God actually permits us to test/try Him? (Mal. 3:10)

• God is trying to show us that when it comes to our being blessed, He has removed all limits.

If you can’t trust God in His challenge of trusting you to give tithe, how can you trust Him to take you to heaven when you die?