There has always been an uncomfortable place in the church, at least for most churches, the tithing / giving scenario. It sounds sort of like a secret mission given to a super spy in which they need to figure out how this works. And I think we sometimes look at it that way too. What is it, and why is it, and what is the difference.
As a pastor, most people think that the tithe, the weekly giving is for the pastor’s salary, or to keep the doors open, pay the utilities of the church. That is part of it. But only a portion.
There are great verses in the Bible that pertain to this all, and I bet you have heard them all if you have attended a church service…
Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "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".
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops".
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV): "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver".
Deuteronomy 14:22 (NIV): "Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year".
Luke 6:38 (NKJV): "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom...".
These are excellent verses, and they give us such a great base line for tithing – They instruct us, they give us direction and wisdom into why God asks us to give Him our treasures. Because there lie our hearts!
And so you go to church, or you hear it online and they talk about tithing / giving. And what you hear is “…the church is talking about money again…” and I tell you, that is what you are hearing because that is where your heart is.
It is not in a place where you hear God saying “…trust me…” you are hearing, “I have to give away my hard-earned money”. Guess what? It’s not yours. If you are a Christ follower, that money – is God’s. Your house, your car, your children and grandchildren. Your spouse, your family and friends, even who you are, or your time – they are all God’s.
Tithe isn’t just about money. It’s about your treasure. What or who is your treasure? That is what you need to give to God.
So, when we tithe, we are just giving to God what is already God’s. He gave it to us to steward and shape to help His kingdom grow on earth. But it’s His.
I have been asked the question lately what the difference between tithe and giving is. And there are huge sweeping philosophical answers that take large reams of paper and background materials to explain – and if you are looking for that, you can find it on Dave Ramsey’s website, or just google it… But I have a simpler take on it.
Tithe is what God instructs us to do. He gives us this rule to ensure that we keep entering into relationship with Him. He wants to give us steps so that we can keep an ongoing discussion with Him. Tithe is a law; Tithe is my honor to my King.
Giving is what I want to give from my heart because I want to honor Him even more! It is freely given from my heart to show purpose to what I feel God is doing either at my church, in a mission field, or by someone in particular. Giving is my freewill. Giving is my choice. Giving is above and beyond. Giving is a blessing because I’ve been blessed. Giving is one of my forms of worship to my Savior.
Don’t look at it as you are losing your hard-earned money. Look at it as, you earned this for God, and you GET to GIVE it to HIM!! You GET to HONOR HIM. You GET to RELATE with HIM! It’s a blessing to tithe and to give. Look at it as such. You will be blessed!
Peace,
PTV