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Biblical Principles of TithingYour Guide to Taking Responsibility, Stewardship, and Financial AccountabilityStewardship Stewardship not only includes taking care of our possessions, but also taking care of those around us. As Christians, we are taught that all we are given in life is a gift from the Lord; nothing belongs to us (Psalm 24:1). Our material possessions (Ephesians 5:15-17), talents (Romans 12:4-8), and our time on earth are not ours. Therefore, we are called to be good stewards of what has been given to us (Luke 16:1-15). The parables are full of examples of the responsibility that has been placed on us (Matthew 25:1-30; Luke 12:13-21). We are to use what has been given to us in a responsible manner. Good stewardship not only includes taking care of our possessions, but taking care of those around us. This includes giving back to the Lord in the form of Tithe. 
What is tithing?Tithing is a test for us, our obedience and of our love of God. Tithing is a spiritual law given by God to mankind to assist people in finding abundance, fulfillment and gratitude in their everday lives. The tithing law is to give ten percent of one's income back to God (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22), with God being represented on the physical level by the source of one's spiritual teaching, usually a church. As mankind fulfills its part of the covenant by giving ten percent to God, then God fulfills his part by continually blessing us. So, you may want to check it out with a joyful attitude of saying, "Lord, I am open to receive whatever it is that you bless me with." And then discover for yourself the blessing of fulfilling God's covenant. Why tithe? "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. 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 you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10 NIV). One of the fundamental faults we have as human beings is greed. We can help to break this by tithing, giving ten percent of our perrsonal wealth. When one person becomes free of materiality, it's like an infection going the other way. Instead of greed affecting honest people, honest people start affecting the greedy. You let go and give to God, joyfully and unconditionally. It's simple to tithe: you just give back ten percent of what you earn to the source of your spiritual teachings, your local church. It's done for the joy of giving. When you lovingly give to the Lord, the abundance starts to come to you in many ways. When you commit to doing it, something inside you works differently from that point forward. Conditions may or may not immediately change in the physical, but inside, it can work wonders. What if I don't have the money to tithe? People who tithe regularly and with the joyful attitude have found that they always have the money, and the blessings pour forth for them. You see, tithing is about putting God first in your life. When you do this, you can count on God doing his part. You know in your heart what you are to do. Giving during trying times, when it is truly a sacrifice, may provide blessings that exceed our expectations. Jesus even noted the widow's sacrifial offering in Mark 12:41-44 If you find yourself overwhelmed with debt, seek financial and spiritual advice. Family Credit Management Service is a Christian non-profit credit counseling agency dedicated to helping consumers deal with the burden of debt from a Biblical perspective. With the help of a professional Christian credit counselor and perhaps that of your spiritual advisor, you can learn to better use what the Lord has given you and be put in a position to give back to Him in the form of tithing. Scripture References The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. -- Psalm 24:1 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. -- I Corinthians 4:2 On the first of every week, each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up... -- I Corinthians 16:2a Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -- Matthew 6:19-21 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. -- I Timothy 6:17-18 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. -- Leviticus 27:34 Download this brochure [PDF - 369K] PDF Documents In order to view our pdf documents, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Please click on the button below in order to download the most recent version.  |
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