FIRST PLACE
EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD – “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him” (Psalm 24:1 New Living Translation).
Treasures in Heaven
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:19-21 New International Version).
THIS REQUIRES UNDERSTANDING (SPIRITUAL INSIGHT).
Please read Malachi 3 and see how Israel had rebelled against God and how he gave them the opportunity to return to him. This is the only place where God says to test him in the Bible. It is in the area of finances. Remember, everything belongs to God, even the air we breathe. God doesn’t need our money, he is after our hearts. If you want to know what a person is like find out where their finances are going. Remember verse 21 which says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If God is not first in one’s life everything else is out of order.
It is said that money changes people but the truth is that it shows who people really are when they get their hands on money. When you really know God (fall in love with our Creator) you will understand that the first part of your income belongs to him (the tithe). You will also want to give extra money as offerings to bless ministries who are doing the work of God. This opens up the windows of heaven so God can bless you in every area of your life.
When we leave this world we can only take one thing with us. What we do for Christ.
Read about Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. And the widow’s mite in Mark 12:41-44.
Also, Jeremiah 32:19 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-14, God is watching (evaluating) everything we do and he rewards us accordingly.
Matthew 6:33
Luke 6:38
1 Corinthians 16:2
Philippians 4:19
Proverbs 3
Deuteronomy 8:18
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
There is so much more …
The subject of paying tithes to God’s Church is so eruptive that it causes explosive reactions even among those who claim to know the only True and Living God.
Paying tithes requires faith.
Trusting in an unseen God requires faith. And,
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 King James Version). This is not something you just try for awhile. It has to become a lifestyle.
Isaiah 58 talks about the kind of fast Going calls for. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+58&version=NLT
God’s word also says, “That, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
We may not ever physically travel to Africa or other distance lands but when we support Godly ministries we are there with them in spirit and he rewards us along with our brothers and sisters for our labor of love. And when we support various ministries we are providing help to orphans, widows, housing the homeless, feeding and clothing people, preaching the gospel so people can receive Christ and make it into heaven, along with so many other things. You see we’re not just ministering to them here on earth but helping them to make it into heaven. So we not only provide for their earthly (temporaty needs) but to their spiritual (eternal) needs.
IT IS SO SAD TO SAY BUT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF GOD’S PEOPLE ACTUAL TITHE
If more of the True Church of Jesus Christ started tithing we would probably hasten his return by wrapping up God’s ultimate plan which includes preaching the gospels to the whole world so all will have the opportunity to accept Christ into their hearts and all believers moving into a new heaven and onto a new earth. God’s word also says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:1-3). “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come” Matthew 24:14).
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:1-2). https://biblehub.com/nlt/revelation/21.htm
So many still don’t want to loosen their grip on money. They think, “This is my money, I earned it.” But the truth is that that belongs to God. And while he is after your heart he is trying to bless you with far more more than you could ever get on your own. He is giving us a chance to bless others and we ourselves will be blessed by God. He will open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings on us (See Malachi 3:10-12).
PRAYER
Father, please move on the hearts of your people so that they may begin to tithe and give offerings to support your churches and ministries that you have ordained so the work you began may be completed. Thank you and praise you. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.