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Reason 1 - It is an act of obedience.
The Bible definitely teaches tithing and it is mentioned as early as Genesis 14:20, where
Abraham was observed tithing. It was later reaffirmed by Jacob when he promised a tenth to God
(Genesis 28:22). The Law reminds us that the tithe is ten percent of our income (Leviticus 27:30-
32). Some try to excuse themselves from the duty of tithing by saying it is the Law and we are under
grace (Romans 6:14). Paul also reminds us that we do not make void the law through faith, instead
we establish it (Romans 3:31). But since tithing actually predates the Law given on Mount Sinai,
we cannot exempt ourselves from it in this manner.
Tithing is proportionate giving, (ten percent of our income). It is interesting to note that
proportionate giving was also the basis of New Testament giving. Paul wrote to the church at
Corinth that they were to give "as God has prospered" (1 Corinthians 16:2). The more God gave,
the more they gave. Jesus emphasized the importance of tithing in the New Testament when He
said, "...Ye pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the
law, judgment, mercy and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone"
Matthew 23:23. If we obey the word of God, we will of necessity tithe (James 1:22).
Reason 2 - It is an act of faith.
What does faith have to do with tithing? It means that as we tithe, we trust God's gracious
provisions to supply our needs. Simply put, we believe God can and will use the remaining nine
tenths of our income, blessing it to adequately meet all our needs. It is faith which enables us to put
our lives and finances into the capable hands of God. Do we really trust Him to love and care for
us? Surely God is able to provide for us better than we can for ourselves!
In the Bible, we repeatedly see God graciously providing for His people. Even today many
saints can attest to the fact that God has blessed their finances, as they tithed through faith. Can we
trust God to do the same for us? Of, course! After all God is the same, He never changes, according
to Malachi 3:6. Therefore, we too can walk by faith, rather than by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting
God to provide even when we do not understand how.
Faith can enable us to tithe even though we may not be able to figure out how we will make
ends meet. Faith causes us to trust God for blessing we cannot rationalize with our minds (Hebrews
11:1). God can and does work in the realm of our finances too. If we cannot trust God with our
finances, how will we ever be able to trust Him with the greater issues of life?
Reason 3 - It is an act of gratitude.
The Bible condemns those who are unthankful and unholy (2 Timothy 3:2). Yet many people
never stop to think how richly God has blessed them and thank Him for what He has given. Since
God has given us all we have, surely He has a right to expect our gratitude!
Many parents take great care to teach their children to say "thank you" when someone is kind
to them. But do we teach our children to say "thank you God," when He blesses them? Well we
should! We should teach them by our words and by example too. If we express our gratitude to
God, hopefully they will also learn how to be grateful.
The word of God reminds us that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and
cometh down from our Father of lights..." (James 1:17). How can we receive God's generosity every
day and not take time to express to Him our thanksgiving and appreciation? (We know we should!)
One way we can express our gratitude is by thanking God when we pray (Philippians 4:6). Another
way is to tithe and give back to Him part of our money. By doing so, we SHOW our gratitude and
prove by our actions, that we really are grateful. Words of gratitude which are not supported by our
actions, often seem insincere. May our tithes verify our words when we say, "I really do thank you,
God."
Reason 4 - It is an act of love.
Love is experienced at many levels and manifested in many different ways. As with
gratitude, we may both speak of our love and show it. Perhaps the most powerful expression of love
is our giving. The Bible tells us that God loved us so much He gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die for
our sins. John wrote, "Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son
to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Both passages remind us that love has
often made people willing to give their lives for others. Soldiers, parents and friends alike, have
willingly forfeited their own lives. Why were they so willing to give so much? Deep down we
know the answer, they gave because they loved.
God gave us so much when He gave us eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Daily He
continues o enrich our lives. By comparison, it seems such a small gift when we give our tithe, as
an expression of love for God. Yet we should endeavor to prove our love in every way possible.
We should do so because Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
Therefore, as we keep God's commandment to tithe, again and again we manifest our love to Jesus
Christ, the Lord.
Reason 5 - It is a commandment with a promise.
In the Ten Commandments, God gave one commandment with a promise attached. He said,
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God
giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12). In the New Testament Paul reminds us of this commandment and
promise (Ephesians 6:3-4). However, there is another commandment with a wonderful promise
attached and it has to do with tithing. In Malachi 3:10 God said, "Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not
be room enough to receive it." What more could any of us ask of God? He taught us to be faithful
and give our tithes to Him, then He will pour upon us, the bounty of His blessings. If we put God
to the test by tithing with faith, gratitude and love; surely He will bless us in so many ways that our
lives will be greatly enriched.
Tithing is fair to people of all income levels. A tenth of a small income is as important to
God as a tenth of a large salary. Therefore, this promise is to the rich and poor alike. Let us all
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