For many believers, tithing feels analogous to taxation. In much the same way the government sets taxes to operate the bureaucracy, many see tithing as a divine tax to operate the church organization. While it is true that those monies are ultimately used for supporting the ministry, the problem is most Christians approach tithing like an HOA fee or membership dues. It’s the price of church membership and the amenities it provides. This mentality is what my previous article addressed. I tithe because of an Abrahamic principle (to Melchizedek) not Mosaic (Levitical).
I have found that tithing is deeply and profoundly spiritual. It is rooted in revelation. I can tithe for decades (and I have) but without faith and revelation it becomes solely an economic transaction. But if I practice it as revelation everything changes.
Which leads to Principle 1…
Money is spiritual.
According to Malachi 3:8-11, the tithe opens the windows of heaven, releases immeasurable blessing, breaks a curse off your revenue stream, and rebukes the devourer.
In Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:9-13, we find referenced the spirit of mammon. This demonic spirit uses money as a means to solicit false service and worship as people fall in love with their money and become a slave to it.
2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul shares some principles of giving and tells them (astonishingly) that through this ALL grace will abound towards them.
Your money is spiritual, and because it is spiritual you must process its purpose though those eyes and understand that when you are accessing the economy of heaven it must be done through faith and revelation.
How you handle it matters to God. So much so that Jesus states, “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” (Luke 16:11 NLT)
There has been a gimmick floating around in some churches related to tithing which ostensibly says, “Try tithing for 90 days and if it doesn’t ‘work’, we will give you a full refund”. Candidly, I groan when I hear that. Not because I don’t think people should tithe, but rather tithing is not some spiritual Ponzi scheme. It is not some “fixed” financial scheme. I know people who tithe dutifully, and while I can affirm their faithfulness, the act must accompany revelation and faith for spiritual promise to be released. If you are simply “trying it” to see if it pays dividends, you might be disappointed. However, if you step into the obedience of the tithe and return it to the Lord with faith, you might be astonished.
Early in my walk with the Lord and our marriage, I had gotten behind on the tithe. It was my fault and I own it. I had made some silly purchases and the tithe slipped on my list of priorities. The amount added up to about $500 (an astronomical amount for me in 1982) and I was feeling convicted. The revelation of tithing was creating this conviction inside of me. Tracie and I agreed to get back on track and though we were late in our obedience (again, my fault), we were able to catch up instantly. We returned the tithe in faith. That act, however, created a surplus of only $5 which had to last us 2 weeks. So we went to the grocery store and bought a gallon of milk, several boxes of expired macaroni and cheese (they did that back then), a loaf of bread, and a jar of instant tea. This was what we had to last us 2 weeks.
You know what happened?
Suddenly, without announcing to the world our financial condition, we were getting invitations to dinner and people wanted to pick up the check. People were inviting us over to their homes and serving us meals. Gift cards arrived and unusual blessing just “coincidentally” showed up. That $5 went way beyond the $500 of tithe which we released. It wasn’t because we had made a raw, obligatory transaction with God, but rather a revelation was birthed and we acted in faith according to this principle.
That simple story changed our perspective. It’s analogous to knowing all the facts of the atonement and mentally assenting to its truth vs. exercising faith and trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ producing a profound “knowing” of salvation.
Money is spiritual.
Tithing is spiritual.
When you receive and embrace that epiphany…
Everything about tithing changes.
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