In review of Deuteronomy 14:23 it says, “The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives” (TLB).
Today’s verse comes from Deuteronomy 14:22-23 where I am taught about the giving of tithes.
I need to set aside a tithe (one tenth) of my income. Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship, the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored, and enjoy it in his presence. This applies to all of my income. Doing this will teach me to always fear the Lord my God and to put him first.
The Bible make the purpose of tithing very clear. It is to teach me to fear the Lord and to put him first in my life. I am to give God the first and best of what I earn. For what I do first with my money shows what I value must. Giving the first part of my income to God immediately will allow me to focus my attention on him. It also reminds me that all I have belongs to him. A habit of regular tithing can keep God at the top of my priority list and give me a proper perspective on everything else I have.
Whatever I want God to bless, I have to put him first in. So if I want God to bless your finances, I have to put him first in my money. This is the principle of tithing: I give the first 10 percent of my income back to God.
Here are four verses that explain the promise, the purpose, the place, and the day for tithing.
First, Proverbs 3:9-10 gives the promise about tithing: “Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines” (TLB). God says that if I honor him with the first part of my income, he will bless me financially. God gets paid first, right off the top. It all comes from God in the first place, and I want his blessing on the rest of it.
Why does God tell me to tithe? Deuteronomy 14:23 says, “The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives” (TLB). God doesn’t need my money, but he wants what it represents: my heart. He wants me to trust him.
Where should I tithe? Tithing to United Way or to someone who’s been out of work for three years is charity. Tithing is an act of worship. It goes to God. Malachi 3:10 says, “‘Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn . . . Test me in this,’ says the Lord All-Powerful. ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need’” (NCV). The storehouse is the temple or the place where I worship God.
When am I supposed to tithe? I do it on the day I worship. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On every Lord’s Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn” (TLB). When I give to God on the first day of the week, the first part of my day, and the first part of my money, I’m declaring, “You’re really number one in my life.” The verse says to “put aside.” I’ve got to plan this! Tithing should not be an impulsive thing. I’ve got to plan for it so that I am honoring God’s plan and purpose for tithing. Then I can watch how God blesses and uses me and honors his promise in my life.
Bottom Line:
Tithe to teach you to always put God first.
What this means to me:
The purpose of my tithing is for me to put God first in my life and to take him seriously.
In summary, Setting aside (planning) a tithe of the first and best part of what I earn. Give it to God first, so that I put him first in my life. It's a reminder that it all belongs to him in the first place. Whatever I want God to bless, I put him first in. God promises that If I honor him first, he will bless me. God wants my heart and wants me to learn to trust him. My tithe is an act of worship.
This morning Father I thank you for your provision and your blessings. Today I ask you for your wisdom to help guide me in my actions and reactions to others. Lord help guide me to prioritize and handle the items that need to be handled. Give me the wisdom and words as I work with others and ultimately make a difference in their lives.
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