DO BOTH: A Brief Synopsis on Tithing

Tithing is giving to God the first ten percent portion of all our income, profits and increase. The tithe is set apart for God. Leviticus 27:30, 33 tells us that all the tithe (ten percent) is the Lords and that it is holy to the Lord. Tithing is our reasonable service, it is a confession of our faith, it is an expression of worship and it shows God how much we appreciate and love Him. Tithing also is our way of saying, “Lord, YOU are the source of supply.” Tithing is God’s way of financing His kingdom. It takes money to do ministry. Malachi 3:10; Proverbs 3:9. Jesus acknowledged the tithe. He recognized that the Pharisees in Luke 11:42 were tithers. But He admonished them for ignoring justice and the love of God. You can’t tithe while neglecting to demonstrate His love. Jesus is saying, Do both! Let the love of God and our love FOR God be our motivation. Some people will say that tithing is not for today. But how much more should we give ten percent of our income to kingdom work, now that Jesus has come, died for our sins and rose again? Tithing helps the local church keep the lights on, pay the gas bill, pay AT&T, do missions, buy bibles, purchase supplies for children’s church, pay staff, put gas in the church van and more. Regarding those in need...Jesus said in Matthew 26:11, “the poor you will have with you always.” He also said in the same verse, “but you will not always have Me.” We are responsible for assisting the poor. Proverbs 28:27 says, “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.” But we are also responsible for assisting our local church with kingdom work. People need more than clothes. They need Jesus. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells those who were concerned about what they would eat or drink or what they would wear, to “seek first the kingdom.” When God is first, everything else will come together. ‭‭Help others in need, help the local church advance the cause of Jesus Christ and let love be your motivation. #DOBOTH