How can we apply the principle of tithing today in our church communities? Reading the Foundation Verse “See, I have given the Levites every tithe in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.” – Numbers 18:21 The Original Purpose • Tithes supplied Israel’s ministers so they could devote themselves wholly to God’s service. • By attaching the tithe to worship, the Lord taught that everyday income belongs first to Him (Leviticus 27:30). • The text presents the tithe as God’s ownership, not a human donation. Continuity through the Bible • Malachi 3:10 keeps the storehouse principle alive after the exile: “Bring the full tithe…” • Jesus upheld tithing while exposing wrong motives (Matthew 23:23). • Hebrews 7:8 points to Christ receiving the tithe in heaven, underscoring its ongoing relevance. • 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 applies the pattern to New-Covenant ministry: those who preach should live from the gospel. Why the Tithe Still Matters Today • It funds the preaching of the Word, discipleship, worship, and pastoral care. • It demonstrates that God, not money, is first in our affections (Proverbs 3:9-10). • It unites the congregation in a shared act of obedience and dependence on God’s provision. How to Practice Tithing Today • Give the first 10 percent of all regular income. • Bring it to the local church, the present-day “storehouse” where believers are fed spiritually. • Offer it systematically—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—as income arrives. • Give gladly, never under pressure (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • Keep records only for accountability, not for boasting (Matthew 6:3-4). Blessings Linked with Tithing • Spiritual: a deeper trust in God’s faithfulness (“windows of heaven,” Malachi 3:10). • Practical: churches freed to support pastors, missionaries, benevolence, and outreach. • Personal: God multiplies resources for those who honor Him first (Proverbs 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8). Beyond the Ten Percent • Freewill offerings—missions, building funds, relief work—flow after the tithe, never instead of it (Exodus 35:29; Acts 4:34-35). • Generosity becomes a lifestyle, reflecting God’s own lavish grace (2 Corinthians 9:11). Practical Steps for Church Leaders • Teach the biblical basis regularly, using Old and New Testament texts. • Budget transparently so members see how tithes advance gospel work. • Provide multiple, secure ways to give—online, envelopes, direct deposit. • Model generosity by tithing personally and corporately (setting aside 10 percent of church income for missions or benevolence). Personal Heart Check • Tithing is worship: a weekly declaration that God is Lord of income, career, and future. • It shifts focus from accumulation to stewardship, aligning hearts with eternal values. |
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