What is TITHING and why be a cheerful giver?
Tithing is the practice of setting aside 10% of your income to support the work of God. Typically this is done in the form of an offering to your local church. The church uses these tithes to reach into the community (locally and sometimes globally, dependent on the church mission) in order to spread the Word of God through various avenues. The continued operation of the church is fundamental to being the hands and feet of Christ.
We give, not because we are forced or made to feel guilty. But we give cheerfully because God first gave to us. So in return, we give the “firsts” of our lives back to Him. This means we give to Him the first place in our hearts and relationships, the first place in our daily activities and decisions, as well as the first place in our finances.
God is so faithful that He even tells us in the bible to test Him on this very subject!
“Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.”
~Malachi 3:10 MSG
“I want each of you to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”
~ 2 Corinthians 9:7 MSG