The Tithes That Bind

Suppose a friend of yours, or a family member, or a stranger, came to you and gave you one hundred dollars. They knew you had been struggling to make ends meet, so, out of love and compassion, they said, “Here…you can have one hundred dollars of my money. Oh, if you don’t mind, could I have ten dollars back? I want to help some other people.” Would you still be happy that you now had ninety dollars?

Tithing, in my opinion, is an act of worship. Everything that we have is by the grace of God. Why wouldn’t we want to give back? I’ve heard people say, “You can’t out-give God.” That is true, but we shouldn’t tithe just because we think, “Oh, God will bless me now.” If we do that, then we are giving for selfish reasons…to get something in return. Also, we shouldn’t tithe out of duty. We shouldn’t put on our pouty face and roll our eyes, and say, “Shew….I’ve GOT to pay my tithes!” That’s not giving out of love.

Instead, we should be so grateful, and so thankful for what Christ has done for us, that we WANT to give back…we WANT to help further God’s kingdom, and give out of love and gratitude.  After all, He gave so much more than a mere tithe for us. He gave his only begotten Son to die a cruel death on a cross…so that we could have a way into heaven! WOW!  Aren’t you glad???

The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians,  “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.”  2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Let’s stop and think of what we’ve been given, and see if we have a heart to help others.  

If we wake up to another day of life and breath…we are blessed!
If our spouse is by our side…we are blessed!
If our children are safe…we are blessed!
If we have our health…we are blessed!
If we have a roof over our head…we are blessed!
If we have food on our table…we are blessed!
If we have clothes on our back…we are blessed!
If we have friends and family…we are blessed!
If Jesus Christ has saved your soul…you are blessed!

This reminds me of an old song, which says:

“There’s a roof up above me, I’ve a good place to sleep,
There’s food on my table, and shoes on my feet,
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family,
Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me.”

Then in the book of Malachi, we read these words:

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty…” Malachi 3:10

As we begin this new year, think about what God has given you. Would you consider giving a portion back to further His kingdom? 

Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me!

Have a great Thursday!