February 20                                   Prov 22 - 24

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH UNUSUAL TITHING

MEMORISE: ‘And all the tithe of the land, Whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: It is holy unto the Lord.’ (Lev 27:30)
READ: Leviticus 30:34

An issue that is going through some debate within Christian circles is tithing. Many have argued that it has gone away with the law and we should be free from its ‘bondage.’ Even some Christians who pay it find it difficult to do it in the prescribed manner, so they end up leaving it as a ‘convenience issue’ payable when they feel their finances can accommodate it.

Actually, tithing came before the law was given to Moses. In Genesis 14:17-20, Abraham met Melchizedek on his return from battle and ‘he gave him tithes of all.’ Leviticus 27 is a command of the law given to Moses which is further established in Malachi 3:8-12. in Matthew 23:23, Jesus says: ‘Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone.’

Jesus approved tithing in this passage, but rebuked the scribes and Pharisees who regularly paid their tithes, and charged them to balance things up by ensuring justice, mercy and faith so that their tithes would be received. Malachi 3:10 says: ‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse.’ Part tithing is as good as no tithing, the same way half-obedience amounts to disobedience before God (1 Sam 15:1-23). It is not your job to share your tithe into parts and distribute it to places as you feel it is needed. Just pay your tithe in full into God’s storehouse – where you worship regularly and feed spiritually. Leave the minister to do the rest.

Your tithes is one tenth of your income. It does not belong to you. It is God’s money in your care. You should not spend out of it. If you rob God in tithing, the Devourer will come and rob you too. If you have spent out of your tithe, then you must return it with 20% interest (Lev 27:31). You should not tithe because you are forced to, but because you love God and desire to always do his will. Henceforth, ensure your tithe is paid before you spend your money.

ACTION POINT
Defaulting in tithes? Pay today and add 20% interest according to Leviticus 27:31. Henceforth resolve not to default.