What is Tithing?

The word tithe is a translation of "dekatos" which means tenth. In Bible times, tithing meant giving the first fruits of their crops. God tells us why the first ten percent belongs to Him. Billy Graham made this statement:

"One of the greatest sins in America today is that we are robbing God of which rightfully belongs to Him."

We cannot give what does not belong to us. One tenth of our gross pay or anything we own belongs to God. He has instructed us to be obedient to give what is his and he has allowed us to be the watchmen over his money.

Why Tithe?

We tithe because it is His command that we do so. Tithing is not optional but mandatory from God. We have no choice in this simple matter if we want to honor God and His word. If we do not tithe we are stealing God's money from Him that He has trusted to us to give. Scriptures are given to emphasize the importance of tithing:

• Genesis 14:19-20

  (19) And he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth".

  (20) And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

• Hebrews 7:5-10

  (5) Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham.

  (6) This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

  (7) And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.

  (8) In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.

  (9) One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,

  (10) because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

• Galatians 3:29

  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

• Matthew 23:23

  Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. 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.

• 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 his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

• Philippians 4:19

  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

It is our privilege to tithe and receive His blessings from doing so.

Tithing Primes the Pump!

2 Corinthians 9:6 says:

"But this I say. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

When we sow a little we get a little. As you measure it out it will be measured back to you the same way. The more you give the more He gives back to you. We have read and heard this most of our lives but very few do it. Out of all the attendees that went to church last year the average of only $ 2.60 was given per person. When you start tithing you prime the pump for the blessings of God to flow into your family.