There is a difference between TITHING and GIVING.
The tithe is what we PAY back to God. It belongs to Him. It is His and it is HOLY.
An offering is a gift that we GIVE above and beyond our tithes. It’s a SEED that we SOW and just like a farmer, we can believe God for a harvest from that seed. In fact, it would be foolish not to believe. For what farmer sows and then walks away and never thinks about his crops again?
In Malachi 3:10 it says that the tithe belongs to God. And that we are to bring it to church. The tithe is the same proportion for all of us. That unifies us. And I believe the tithe is specifically for meeting the needs of the local church. My small portion is not enough to fulfill the needs, and neither is yours, but the Lord set it in place that as we see ourselves as a family, each doing their part, when combined it will get the job done, Amen?
The tithe is the general instruction to all, it needs no interpretation, the word “tithe” literally means “a tenth”, but above that, are our offerings in which we get the privilege of practicing hearing specifically from the Holy Spirit. How wonderful to have the honor of hearing from God and working with Him to bring His plan to pass, Amen?
2 Cor. 9:7,8 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (NASB) “And God is able to make ALL GRACE (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in ABUNDANCE so that you may ALWAYS and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in ABUNDANCE for EVERY good work and charitable donation].” (AMPC)
So, this passage is speaking of giving and not tithing because we don’t get to decide the tithe.
God promises us that when we put Him first, we will not only have our needs met in full, but PLENTY left over to give to every good work and charitable donation. It’s good to give to others, to give to charities, and to be a blessing in our community, but how many of you know that if we are giving to the March of Dimes or the United Way and not paying our tithes and giving offerings, then something is not right. We are not putting Him first and we are robbing Him. (Mal. 3:10) We will not have confidence before Him when we believe for our supply. We have to come in line with God’s plan. He is not obligated to bless our plan, but when we come in line with His, it’s already blessed, Amen? The local church IS His plan. Let’s bring our tithes and offerings and believe God’s promise of PLENTY, Amen?
I’ve heard some say, well I don’t have enough left over to tithe. But that’s exactly why it’s called the first fruits, when we give to Him first, then it puts us in a prime position to believe all our other needs will be met. Once, when I was studying the subject of giving the Holy Spirit said to me, “If people wait until they have extra to give before they give, they’ll never give when they have extra to give.” Because giving is a spiritual habit. It’s a habit of our faith being exercised every day. If we say, “Well, I’ll start tithing once I get that raise or promotion,” in reality, we won’t.
Tithing is the FIRST and ONLY place in the Word where God instructs us to TEST Him. (Mal. 3:10,11 NASB)
After we’ve been born again, this is really the first big step in surrendering our lives to His Lordship. We asked Him to come into our hearts, to be the Lord of our lives, and that we now want to follow His plan. Tithing is the first outward action of our new faith and trust in Him, Amen? If you haven’t been tithing, continue to feed on what God says in His Word about it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word. Feed on verses that promise that when we come into line with His will, He will cause supply to flow freely and unhindered to your life. Then take that step of faith by obeying, release your faith with your words, and watch God move in your life like never before! ~Be Blessed, Jenny xoxo
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~JENNY RIEFLIN MINISTRIES~ 