Churchgoers often hear about the importance of tithes and offerings. But what are they? Why are they important? And how do we give them? This post will answer those questions and more. We’ll also look at some short messages that can be used to remind church members of the importance of giving.
What Are Tithes And Offerings?
Tithes are a tenth of our income that we give back to God. They are a way of showing our gratitude for all that God has given us.
Offerings are gifts that we give over and above our tithe. They can be given for specific purposes, such as helping the poor or supporting the work of the church.
The Bible tells us that giving back to God is a way of showing our thankfulness for all that He has done for us (2 Corinthians 9:7). When we give our tithes and offerings, we are putting God first in our lives.
Giving is an act of worship that blesses both the giver and the receiver. As we give to the Lord, He blesses us in return. He is a generous God who gives us more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
So What Does The Bible Say About Giving Tithes And Offerings?
“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).
When we give our tithes and offerings, we are putting God first in our lives. We are acknowledging Him as the Lord of our lives and everything we have. This pleases God and He blesses us in return.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
When we give, we should do it willingly and cheerfully. God loves it when we give generously from a willing heart. We should never give begrudgingly or out of a sense of duty. God wants us to give because we want to, not because we have to.
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12).
It’s not about how much we give, but the attitude of our hearts. God is more interested in our willingness to give than the actual amount that we give. He knows what we have and He is more concerned with our hearts.
Why Give Tithes And Offerings?
The Bible tells us that we should give tithes and offerings because they are a way of honoring God. When we give back to God, we are acknowledging that everything we have comes from him. Giving also shows our trust in God. We trust that he will provide for us, even when we give generously.
Tithing is a practice that dates back to the Old Testament. In the book of Leviticus, we read that the Israelites were instructed to give a tenth of their crops and livestock to the Lord.
This was known as the tithe. The Israelites were also required to give other offerings, such as first fruits and wave offerings.
The New Testament doesn’t specifically mention tithing, but it does talk about giving. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
This verse tells us that our giving should come from a place of love and not simply out of obligation.
When we give to the Lord, we are honoring him and acknowledging his goodness. Tithes and offerings are a way of expressing our gratitude for all that he has done for us. Giving is also an act of worship. As we give back to God, we are saying that we trust him and believe that he will take care of us.
If you are wondering whether or not you should give tithes and offerings, the Bible is clear that it is a good and honorable thing to do. As you prayerfully consider your giving, ask God to guide you. He will show you how much to give and when to give it. Trust Him to provide for you, and give from your heart.
The Bible’s Teaching On Giving
The Bible has a lot to say about giving. In the Old Testament, God commands his people to give generously to the poor and needy (Deuteronomy 15:11).
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). The Bible also says that we should give cheerfully and generously, without expecting anything in return (2 Corinthians 9:7).
As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for our salvation.
When we give of our time, talents, and resources, we are imitating Christ’s selfless love for others. As we give generously, we are also demonstrating our trust in God’s provision. When we give graciously, without seeking recognition or reward, we are living out the gospel message of love and sacrifice.
How To Give Tithes And Offerings
In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to tithe, or give 10% of their income, to the Levites (Leviticus 27:30) (Num 18:21-32) (Deuteronomy 12:1-19)
This was a way of supporting the priests and ensuring that the Temple was maintained.
Today, Christians are not under the same legal obligation to tithe, but many choose to do so as an act of worship.
In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul writes that believers should give in proportion to what they have been given, cheerfully and willingly.
This means that giving is not about meeting a 10% quota, but rather giving cheerfully and generously according to what God has blessed us with.
When we give our tithes and offerings, we are acknowledging that everything we have belongs to God and that we are merely stewards of His resources.
When we give out of a heart of thankfulness and worship, God is honored and glorified. Tithes and offerings are one way that we can express our thankfulness to God for His many blessings.
What Happens When We Give To God?
When we give to God, it is an act of worship. It is a way of showing our faithfulness and trust in Him.
It is also a way of honoring Him and acknowledging His sovereignty.
When we give to God, we are acknowledging that He is the giver of all good things and that He alone is worthy of our worship and praise.
The Bible tells us that when we give to God, He promises to bless us in return.
He says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Malachi 3:10).
The Bible tells us that we are to give generously and without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:38). When we do this, God blesses us.
He gives us what we need when we need it. He also provides for our needs in ways that we could never have imagined (Philippians 4:19).
Giving to God is an act of obedience that brings blessing into our lives. It is an act of worship that pleases Him and brings us joy.
Benefits Of Giving Tithes And Offerings
The Bible is clear that God blesses those who are obedient to His commands. This includes giving tithes and offerings. While there are many benefits of giving, here are 10 that are specifically mentioned in scripture.
1. It is an act of worship that pleases God (Proverbs 3:9-10; Philippians 4:18).
2. It demonstrates our trust in God’s provision (Malachi 3:10-11; Matthew 6:25-34).
3. It is a reminder that everything we have belongs to God (1 Chronicles 29:14; Psalm 24:1).
4. It enables us to be a part of what God is doing in the world (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
5. It is an expression of our thankfulness for all that God has done for us (Deuteronomy 26:10; Psalm 100:4).
6. It helps us to develop a generous heart (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 8:7).
7. It teaches us to put God first in our lives (Deuteronomy 14:23; Matthew 6:33).
8. It is an investment in eternity (Matthew 19:29; 1 Timothy 6:19).
9. It curses those who withhold it from God (Malachi 3:9; Proverbs 28:27).
10. It brings financial blessings into our lives (Proverbs 11:24-25; Malachi 3:10-12).
Giving tithes and offerings is a faithful act that comes with many rewards, both here on Earth and in Heaven. As we obey God’s commands, He blesses us in ways we could never imagine.
How Can I Encourage People In My Church To Tithe? With Bible Reference
Here are 10 ways you can do to encourage people in your church to give tithes and offerings:
1. Pray for your church members daily, that God will bless them financially and increase their faith to give.
2. Preach and teach on tithing regularly from the Bible, explaining how it is an act of worship and obedience to God.
3. Share your own testimony of how God has blessed you when you have been obedient in giving.
4. Have an annual stewardship campaign where you challenge people to increase their giving.
5. Give people the opportunity to give during worship services and special events.
6. Encourage small groups and Sunday School classes to have regular mission projects where they raise money to support local and global ministries.
7. Have a giving day where the entire church focuses on giving to specific projects or causes.
8. Celebrate when people give generously, and make it known to the church community.
9. Be careful not to pressure people into giving, but rather let them make their own decision based on their relationship with God.
10. Thank people for their tithes and offerings, letting them know that you are truly grateful for their support.
