“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.” – Luke 6:38
Understanding the Heart of Tithing
When we think about tithing in the New Testament, it’s essential to look at the heart behind this practice. Tithing is not merely about the act of giving; it’s about our attitude towards God and His blessings in our lives. We learn to give not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and love. We are called to recognize that everything we have comes from God, and in return, we joyfully offer a portion back to Him.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” – Matthew 23:23
1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” – 1 Corinthians 16:2
Luke 11:42
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” – Luke 11:42
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
The Blessings of Giving
As believers, we have the opportunity to experience the blessings that come with giving. Tithing is more than just an act of obedience; it’s a way to open the door to God’s abundant blessings in our lives. We often discover that as we give, we receive in ways we never anticipated. Tithing is a relationship with God that brings us closer to Him and helps us see His hand at work in our lives.
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
2 Corinthians 9:6
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
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.” – Luke 6:38
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35
Tithing as an Act of Worship
Tithing is not just about financial giving; it is an act of worship that places God at the forefront of our lives. When we give, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty and His provisions in our lives. Our contributions are a way for us to express our first love for Him, allowing us to worship through our finances. We honor God by prioritizing Him above our other needs and desires.
Matthew 6:21
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Acts 4:34-35
“There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” – Acts 4:34-35
1 Timothy 6:18
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” – 1 Timothy 6:18
Trusting God with Our Finances
Every time we tithe, we practice putting our trust in God rather than in our financial circumstances. It’s a confidence that, as we give back to Him, He will continue to meet our needs. This act of faith builds our relationship with God, showing us that He is our ultimate provider. We find comfort in knowing that God has our best interests at heart and will take care of us in all aspects, including finances.
Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:25-26
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31
Luke 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32
The Joy of Generosity
Giving of our resources brings us joy as we fulfill God’s call to help others. Generosity is a significant aspect of our faith that reflects Jesus’ love and compassion. As we give out of our abundance, we not only bless others, but we reflect the generous heart of God. Being generous is a way for us to share the incredible love and grace we have received from Him.
2 Corinthians 9:11
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Acts 2:44-45
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45
Encouraging Others to Tithe
As we reflect upon our own practice of tithing, we should also encourage others in our church and community to join us. Let’s not keep the blessings of giving to ourselves but share the joy and the importance of tithing with those around us. When we support and uplift one another in our endeavors to give faithfully, we strengthen the body of Christ and foster a culture of generosity.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24
Hebrews 13:1-2
“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” – Hebrews 13:1-2
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Romans 1:12
“That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” – Romans 1:12
Final Thoughts
Tithing is an important act that can bless not only our lives but the lives of others in our community. It helps us to recognize God as our source and provider. As we give we open our hearts to experience His abundance. The scriptures show us that when we give cheerfully and generously, God rewards us in ways we cannot always foresee. It’s a beautiful reminder to trust Him with our finances and prioritize helping others through our generous actions.
As we encourage one another in the practice of tithing, we cultivate a spirit of love and generosity within the body of Christ. Let’s be ready to share His blessings and joy with those around us, promoting acts of kindness that reflect His love. We are called to embrace the joy of giving and encourage those we can to do the same.
We invite you to explore even more teachings by visiting our pages on helping the poor and helping others.