Worshiping through Tithing

We all know that the Bible calls for us to tithe 10% of our income back to Him as our first fruits.

I know firsthand,  how difficult this can be when living paycheck to paycheck.  Yet, I also know how God has blessed me when I’ve done just that.

So, what does the Bible say about tithing?

Tithing is giving God our first fruits

• Luke 11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others”
• Luke 18:9-14 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
  

  the widow gave all she had

• Mark 12:43-44 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
• Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
• Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
• Matthew 6:4 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
  

  We can also tithe our time

• Malachi 3:10-12 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
• Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
• 2 Corinthians 9:7    Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver

There are other ways to tithe to the Lord:

we can also tithe our surplus blessings

1. Tithe as a means of worship
2. Tithe your time—there are plenty of places needing volunteers, even if it’s only for a few hours a week
3. Tithe your gifts—whether cooking, baking, making arts and crafts, sewing or a variety of other gifts you can make items to help those less fortunate
4. Tithe your talents—if you are a musician tithe your time singing at a nursing home; if a dancer, tithe time teaching classes; if an artist, create your art to be donated to a worthy cause to auction off
5. Tithe your extras—if a gardener, give extra vegetables to a family in need; donate flowers from your garden to a hospice house; clean your closet and give extra clothes to the family whose house recently burned down

How have you worshiped through tithing?  When giving to others do you pray for them?