To Tithe or Not To Tithe

To Tithe or Not To Tithe

Many years ago, I heard a sermon on tithing that profoundly impacted me. The pastor pointed out that tithing is a commandment and if Old Testament believers gave 10% under the law, we, as beneficiaries of God’s grace, should give even more. However, the reality is that many people struggle to give at all. This message deeply resonated with me because I had wrestled with tithing, giving inconsistently and often justifying my reluctance by claiming I couldn’t afford it.

After much prayer, I realized my struggle wasn’t a matter of finances but of trust. My heart struggled to trust that God would truly provide for my needs if I gave a portion of my income back to him. This realization was a turning point for me, and I made a conscious decision to trust in God’s promises. I held onto the promise from Malachi 3:10, where God says, “Test me in this… and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great we won’t have room to receive”.

Though I had decided to trust, my faith wasn’t perfect, and I still struggled at times. But over time, tithing became a way of life. I started viewing my paycheck differently, setting aside my tithe and offering first. It was then that I saw God’s unwavering faithfulness. As promised, God gave me back more than I gave, so much so that I had enough to share with others.

With years of experiencing God’s faithfulness through tithing, I felt called to give even more. My giving had become a direct expression of my love for God, a response to all he had done for me. I began to sow into the church and ministry work, not just with money but with my time and resources as well. Once again, God proved faithful and did exactly what he promised. He opened the floodgates of heaven and poured out blessings so great that I literally ran out of room to receive them in my home. This abundance allowed me to give generously to my family, friends, and community.

Friends, the Bible says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This scripture reminds us that the amount we give determines the amount we get back. I’ve heard people say they can’t afford to tithe, but the truth is, we cannot afford not to. Jesus praised the poor widow for giving just two small coins—valued less than a penny—because it was all she had, and she trusted God completely with it. (Mark 12:41-44)

So, friends, I ask you, are you willing to trust God with everything you have? After all, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills; he doesn’t need our money. (Psalm 50:10) The command to tithe is for our benefit, not His. God longs to bless us, and tithing is one way for us to demonstrate our trust. His best gifts are reserved for his children. If you aren’t yet one of his children, it’s not too late. Ask him to save you. He is ready, willing, and able to do it. Trust Him!

I would love to hear about your journey. Email me at [email protected] or go to our contact us page. 

For God’s Glory,

Tahnee