tithes

Jan

2024

Honoring God with Our Best

Leviticus 27:30 – “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”

Set Apart for God

In the Old Testament, a tithe (10%) of crops and flocks was set apart for the Lord. Just as these first fruits of the harvest were specially consecrated to God, so He calls us to honor Him with our best.

God doesn’t need our money. But returning a portion of income demonstrates gratefulness for His provision. It separates funds for kingdom purposes.

Honoring God First

Tithing should come off the top, showing God has first claim over all we have. When we determine budgets afterwards, it requires faith and keeps God central.

Financial decisions reveal much about who/what we worship. Honoring God with our first and best reflects a heart aligned with His values. It safeguards against greed.

Prayer

Lord, reveal any areas of misaligned priorities in how I manage money. Give me wisdom to steward finances in ways that honor You. Help me use resources to advance Your kingdom. You own it all.

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“One Minute with God”

Apr

2023

Thief!

Have you ever felt like you were holding something back from God? Maybe you know deep down that you should be giving more of yourself, your time, your resources, or your money, but for some reason, you’re just not doing it.

If you can relate, you’re not alone. In the book of Malachi, God’s people were guilty of holding back their tithes and offerings, and God called them out on it.

God’s question in Malachi 3:8, “Will a mere mortal rob God?” is a powerful reminder that we are not just dealing with another person or entity when it comes to our relationship with God. We are dealing with the Creator of the universe, the One who has given us everything we have.

It’s humbling to think that we could rob God of anything, but when we hold back from giving to Him, that’s exactly what we’re doing.

But why does God care about our tithes and offerings?

It’s not because He needs our money or resources, but rather because our giving is a reflection of our heart.

When we freely and generously give to God, we are acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him and that we trust Him to provide for us. It’s a way of expressing our gratitude and worship to Him.

Reflecting

So if you find yourself holding back from giving to God, take a moment to reflect on your heart.

Are you truly trusting God with everything you have, or are you holding back out of fear or selfishness?

Remember that God has promised to provide for our needs when we seek first His kingdom, so let’s be faithful in giving to Him and trusting in His provision.