1 Timothy 6:17
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”
Beloved,
Giving is not about now. It’s about our future. How and what we give is an indicator of what is truly important to us. I have a question: What or who are you living for? If you are living solely for yourself, by all means, do as you will with what you have. Give to your own cause, in your own time and in your own way. If you are living for God, or claim to be, yet how you give of your time, talent and resources reflect otherwise, I encourage you to realign yourself with the cause and character of God.
Beloved, giving is the nature of our eternal God– the God of Covenant. You can give to His cause and He will bless you. But I want to be clear: When it comes to the sensitive matter of tithe, if you are one of those who says that you do not believe we should give tithe, you are right. Tithe is the first fruit of your increase. If you are sincerely in covenant with God, you cannot give tithe because you know it already belongs to Him. The Bible says:
Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
You bring your tithe to the One it belongs to as He has instructed. Stop helping God spend His money. Bring Him His own and do it like you know it’s a privilege and testament of your genuine relationship with Him. It’s not optional. It is distinct from giving to God. Pay your vow of tithe. Give your seed. Have a willing heart. Don’t withhold unnecessarily.
Any time you consider money, you will miss God. Don’t let money rule you. Rule money by understanding the laws of giving. Be intentional about honoring your parents, taking care of your family and those who have cared and labored for you. Invest in your community and whatever charitable and ministerial causes God has placed on your heart. When it is time to pay your tithe, or give to God or any Godly cause, don’t be full of excuses. Rather, be full of love and compassion. Be full of willingness and zeal. The Bible had this to say about the church in Corinth:
2 Corinthians 8:2-5,TPT: “They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”
When it comes to giving, what will be written about you?
I commend you to God and the Word of His Grace. I call you blessed and nations.
