honoring God – Naty Matos

Tithing and offering are powerful acts of worship that connect us to God’s provision and blessings. While tithing is a biblical principle, giving offerings above the tithe is an act of faith and generosity that brings even greater spiritual and material rewards. However, before we give, we must pray over our tithes and offerings, seeking God’s guidance, blessing, and purpose.

Tithing—giving 10% of our income—was established in the Old Testament as a way for God’s people to honor Him and support His work. In Malachi 3:10, God challenges His people to test Him in tithing:

“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.”

Before giving our tithes, we should pray for:

A Grateful Heart – Acknowledge that everything we have comes from God (1 Chronicles 29:14).
Faith and Trust – Believe that God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19).
Blessings Over the Church and Its Mission – Pray that the resources will be used wisely for God’s kingdom.

When we pray over our tithe, we are not only obeying God’s command but also aligning our hearts with His will, trusting in His provision, and sowing into His kingdom with faith.

Offering: Giving Beyond the Tithe

While tithing is the foundation, the offering is an act of deeper generosity. Offerings are free-will gifts given beyond the tithe as an expression of love, gratitude, and faith in God. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul encourages believers to give with a cheerful heart:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Offerings are important because:

They Reflect the Condition of Our Heart – Giving generously shows our love for God and others (Luke 6:38).
They Unlock Greater Blessings – God promises to multiply what we sow (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
They Support the Needs of the Church and Others – Offerings help missions, outreach programs, and those in need (Proverbs 19:17).

Giving beyond the tithe is an act of faith that says, “God, I trust You not just with 10%, but with everything I have.” When we give sacrificially, God honors our faith and provides abundantly.

Biblical Examples of Generous Giving

The Widow’s Offering

In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus praised a widow who gave two small coins, which was all she had. While others gave from their abundance, she gave sacrificially. This demonstrates that the value of an offering is not in its amount but in the heart behind it.

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

The Early Church’s Generosity

In Acts 2:44-45, the early Christians shared everything they had, ensuring no one was in need. Their selflessness strengthened the church and glorified God.

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

Praying Over Your Offerings

When giving an offering, it is important to pray for:

God’s Direction – Ask God how much to give and where to sow.
A Generous and Cheerful Heart – Pray against a spirit of reluctance or fear.
Multiplication of Your Seed – Believe that God will bless and increase what you sow.
Impact of Your Giving – Pray that your offering will bring transformation in people’s lives.

God’s Promises for Givers

Abundant Provision

In Luke 6:38, Jesus assures that giving leads to receiving:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Prosperity and Overflow

In Proverbs 3:9-10, we are reminded that honoring God with our wealth leads to abundance:

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Conclusion

Both tithes and offerings are acts of worship, trust, and obedience. Praying over our giving ensures that our hearts are in the right place and that we align with God’s will. As we tithe faithfully and give offerings generously, we invite God’s blessings into our lives and participate in His greater purpose.

May we always give with joy, faith, and expectation, knowing that God is our ultimate provider. Amen!

As the year draws to a close, many of us begin thinking about resolutions and goals for the new year. It’s a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we hope to go. However, as believers, our goals don’t just stem from personal desires—they are an opportunity to align our plans with God’s purpose for our lives.

Instead of focusing solely on external achievements, we can create Christ-centered goals that promote spiritual growth, strengthen our relationships, and honor God in every area of our lives. Let’s explore how to set intentional New Year goals rooted in faith.

1. Begin with Prayer

Before setting any goals, start with prayer. Ask God to guide you in reflecting on the past year and discerning His will for the year ahead. Invite Him into your planning process so your goals are aligned with His plans.

Prayer Prompts:

What lessons did God teach me this year?
Where is God calling me to grow?
How can I better serve Him and others?

Scriptural Reminder:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

2. Reflect on Your Spiritual Journey

As you set goals, take time to evaluate your walk with Christ. Are there areas where you’d like to grow deeper in your faith? Perhaps you want to spend more time in prayer, read through the Bible, or become more active in serving others.

Consider goals that nurture your relationship with God, such as:

Establishing a daily quiet time.
Memorizing Scripture.
Joining a small group or Bible study.
Journaling prayers and answers.

Scriptural Reminder:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

3. Set Goals That Glorify God

When creating goals, focus on how they can bring glory to God. Whether your goals are personal, professional, or relational, they should reflect your desire to honor Him.

Examples of Christ-centered goals:

Building healthier habits to honor your body as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Strengthening your marriage or family relationships through intentional time together.
Using your talents and skills to serve in your church or community.
Managing your finances according to biblical principles.

Scriptural Reminder:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

4. Be Specific and Measurable

God is a God of order and intentionality, and our goals should reflect that. Vague goals can leave us feeling overwhelmed, but specific, measurable objectives give us direction.

For example:

Instead of “pray more,” set a goal to “pray for 15 minutes each morning.”
Instead of “read the Bible,” aim to “read through the New Testament by June.”
Instead of “serve others,” plan to “volunteer monthly at a local shelter.”

Scriptural Reminder:
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

5. Balance Personal Growth with Serving Others

While self-improvement is valuable, our ultimate calling is to love and serve others. Consider setting goals that prioritize generosity, kindness, and community.

Ideas for outward-focused goals:

Start mentoring someone in your church or workplace.
Organize a monthly outreach with friends or family.
Commit to praying for specific individuals or causes each week.

Scriptural Reminder:
“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

6. Trust God with the Outcome

While it’s important to plan, remember that God’s plans are always greater than our own. Some goals may unfold differently than expected, and that’s okay. Trusting Him means surrendering our goals to His will and being open to His redirection.

Scriptural Reminder:
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

7. Stay Accountable and Celebrate Progress

Share your goals with trusted friends or family members who can encourage and hold you accountable. Celebrate the small victories along the way, remembering that every step of growth is worth acknowledging.

Encouragement Tip: Keep a journal to track how God works through your goals. Looking back on His faithfulness will inspire gratitude and perseverance.

Final Thoughts: A Year with Purpose

As you step into the new year, let your goals reflect your faith and trust in God. Whether big or small, each intentional step can bring you closer to Him and help you live out His purpose for your life.

Closing Scripture:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

Let’s approach this new year with hope, purpose, and a heart ready to follow where God leads.

Happy 2025!