Tithing can raise the hackles of a lot of people. The very thought of giving ten percent right off the top of one’s paycheck can seem intimidating and foolish to those who don’t understand.
I want to begin my thoughts with illustrations of prominent men who believed tithing was important, according to an article called “Seven Biblical Reasons Why We Pay Tithes.” Each of the following men was founder and president or CEO of their respective companies: Mr. Henry Crowell: Quaker Oats, Mr. William Colgate: Colgate-Palmolive, Mr. William Proctor (and James Gamble): Proctor & Gamble, Mr. J.C. Penny: J.C. Penney’s, and Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Sr: American Standard Oil Co. Each of these men believed in and recognized the importance of tithing and gave at least 1/10th of their gross income back to God. In each case, these men increased their giving from 10% up to 50% or 70% and each year their income increased. (http://cogop.org/uploads/images/Stewardship/PDF/Seven_Reasons.pdf)
Now I won’t argue that times are rough right now and have the very real probability of getting worse. People have had cut backs in hours at work, seen their pay check reduced, endured tax increases and watch as the price of everything seems to climb. But the truth is how we give from our first fruits and view our giving, is a direct correlation to how we view the Lord and his measure in our lives. It becomes a matter of trust. Do we trust the Lord enough to allow Him to see to our needs?
We live in a society which is changing every day. Things that were considered immoral even twenty years ago are finding their way into our everyday lifestyles. So when do we, as Christians, begin to stand up and say, “Wait a minute; this is wrong!”? Are we waiting for our numbers to increase since “there is safety in numbers?” We can’t. I believe our “numbers” are currently falling as we give in to the social environment around us.
Daniel, many, many years ago was plunged into the Babylonian lifestyle through no fault of his own. King Nebuchadnezzar planned on making Daniel, along with the other Jewish youths who were enslaved, a part of Babylonian culture by means of a name change, language and literature knowledge, new science, religion, and even food changes. Daniel stood alone, held his ground and would not give in to those elements that went against what he knew from God’s word to be wrong. Are we as quick to say no, and go against the grain?
Tithing is another area where culturally, when we give a minimum of ten percent, we often deviate from the norm. The mentality of our culture is “I earned this money, so it’s mine.” Or, “with things so tight, there is no way I have any left over for God.” The truth is we can have possessions, but everything we own still belongs to God. I am not going to suggest that when we give, we will be given blessings by an abundance of wealth like the business men with whom I began my thoughts. God has a variety of ways to bless us. When we give, however, I sincerely believe he will take care of our needs.
Farmers have the need to
plant crops, harvest them and then put any leftovers in the barn for later in
the season when the land is barren and unable to produce. Our lives don’t have just one season a year
to be fruitful. We can be fruitful
everyday of the year if we choose by giving of ourselves through our talents,
resources, time, and our tithes. When we
are fruitful, we store up rewards in the storehouse of heaven. It is here God can bless us.Scripture tells us to bring our tithes to the storehouse and then watch while God uses that gift to pour out blessings on us. Do you believe God can bless your giving? Do you believe it enough to give one tenth of your income week after week? God says to test him on this. Do you believe God can bless you enough to step out on a limb and test him? I suggest when you do, you will see success.
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