Honor God With Tithes

DO I REALLY HAVE TO TITHE?

Tithing is simply a tangible way in which God’s people are able to express worship. God has given us all that we have. We respond by returning a portion (Deut. 16:17; 2 Cor. 9:6,7). I recently heard a message from 1 Corinthians 16:2, that developed three points that were helpful.

1. Giving should be regular (first day of the week),

2. There is no exception (every [each] one of you)

3. Give proportionately (as God has prospered)

Paul could have issued an exception clause, but he didn’t. Surely there are exceptions, right? Well, not according to God’s Word. Tithing is not restricted to any particular economic class. It is expected from every class. It is interesting that several times in Scripture God chooses to illustrate giving by way of the poorest of His people: the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), the widow in the gospels (Mark 12:42,43), and the poor churches in Macedonia (2Cor. 8:1,2). If the poorest can give with the expectation of God continuing to provide, there is really no good excuse for any.

I don’t think a child of God needs to be convinced that it is honoring to the Lord to give proportionately and consistently from all that God enables him to gain. This is not a form of bargaining with God by which we expect big returns on each dollar given. We give to honor the One who has first given to us. We give to participate in the work He has ordained for our generation. We give that we might fellowship with others in providing for gospel laborers and needs of others.

While those who make more are generally able to give more, assuming they order their finances well and keep their lusts in check, every believer is expected to lay aside regularly a portion from that with which God blesses them. To not do so is to ignore a primary way in which honor can be tangibly shown to Jehovah-jireh. One must ask: if you ignore the Lord in this area of your life, what about other areas? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be found. Where is your heart?   

Will You Murmur?

NO REASON FOR CHRISTIANS TO MURMUR

There is no greater joy in this life than to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. What joy there ought to be in every person who knows his sins against a holy God who made him are all forgiven because of the sacrifice of His Son upon the cross. Yet, often times Christians murmur and complain as much as anyone else.

Thomas Brooks, a well-known preacher in his day (17^th century ) in England, wrote a book to instruct Christians on how to properly face sufferings and trials of life. The following is an excerpt from that book. Christians reading this will understand what Mr. Brooks is saying and will hopefully be positively impacted. To non-Christians, I offer an apology that we Christians have been all too guilty of murmuring!

And will you murmur?
Is not Christ your treasure?

Is not heaven your inheritance—

and will you murmur?

Have you not much in hand, and more in hope? 

Have you not much in possession, but much more reserved in heaven—

and will you murmur?

Has not God given you. . .

     a changed heart, 

     a renewed nature, and

     a sanctified soul—

and will you murmur?

            Has He not given you. . .

     Himself to satisfy you,

     His Son to save you,

     His Spirit to lead you,

     His grace to adorn you,

     His covenant to assure you,

     His mercy to pardon you,

     His righteousness to clothe you—

and will you murmur?

Has He not made you. . .

     a friend,

     a son,

     a brother,

     a bride,

     an heir—

and will you murmur?

Has not God often turned. . .

     your water into wine,

     your brass into silver, and

     your silver into gold—

and will you murmur?

When you were dead, did not He quicken you?

When you were lost, did not He seek you?

When you were wounded, did not He heal you?

When you were falling, did not He support you?

When you were down, did not He raise you?

When you were staggering, did not He establish you?

When you were erring, did not He correct you?

When you were tempted, did not He support you? and

When you went in dangers, did not He deliver you?—

and will you murmur?

What! You who are so highly advanced and exalted above many thousands in the world? Murmuring suits none so badly as saints.