Like I said earlier…unless you view the money in the bank account with your name on it as God’s money, none of these other keys will make sense.
And before I dive into this key, let me state that I’m not seeking to bump up my own paycheck. As a pastor at a church it is extremely hard to talk about giving money to God when the congregation knows full well that my salary comes out of the offering. So, when we talk about giving money back to God, it doesn’t even have to be in the offering plate. It could be done by giving money to a Godly charity or by directly helping to meet the needs of your neighbor. I would suggest that at least a portion of your tithe goes to your local church, but the exact amount is between you and God.
The Jews in the Old Testament were commanded to give a certain percentage of their income to God (a tithe). I’m not going to go into detail here about how that all worked, but I just mention it to show that this concept has been in place from the beginning. In fact, it can be traced all the way back to Cain and Abel bringing their sacrifices before God in Genesis 4.
Whatever amount you decide to give each year, your attitude is of utmost importance. Jesus acknowledges this in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7:
"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
And in Mark 12:41-44:
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
As you do pray about and follow God’s lead regarding tithing, consider the promises God makes. Proverbs 3:9-10 says:
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
And my absolute favorite (because I don’t know of anywhere else in the Bible where God basically says ‘test me in this’) comes from Malachi 3:6-10:
“I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test"
I can remember my parents teaching me this attitude from a young age. I recall receiving a $3 allowance as a kid. The very first thing I would do with that allowance was set aside 10% of it ($0.30) to put in the offering plate at church. Granted, $0.30 didn’t go very far, but I was learning very early on that when I gave away the first 10% of my ‘paycheck’ God would be faithful to meet my needs through the other 90%.We must remember that we are simply managing money for God, and if God wants us to return back to him the first portion, we ought to do so with a joyful heart. God promises us that the remaining sum will be enough.
(A common amount to tithe, taught by many churches and pastors, is 10%. The amount you give should be between you and God. Whether you give more or less, the attitude with which you give needs to be one of joy.)
View Key #1 here.
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