Tithing – 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!

In a world overflowing with national days, one stands out as not just a reminder, but as a call to action: National Teach Your Children How to Save Day on April 27th. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, one thing remains constant—money matters. It’s not just about accumulating wealth, but about stewarding our resources wisely, in alignment with biblical principles.

The scriptures offer profound wisdom on the subject of money. Proverbs 3:9-10 teaches us the importance of honoring the Lord with our possessions and the firstfruits of our increase. By trusting God with our finances, we invite His abundance into our lives. Similarly, Matthew 6:24 warns against the idolization of money, emphasizing that we cannot serve both God and Mammon.

Yet, amidst these timeless truths, lies a practical application for the present moment. How do we instill these values in the next generation? How do we equip our children with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of financial stewardship?

Enter the concept of teaching our children how to save. It’s more than just setting aside a portion of their allowance—it’s about instilling a mindset of responsibility and foresight. Just as we sow seeds of faith, we sow seeds of financial wisdom in the fertile soil of our children’s hearts.

For many, the journey begins with a simple piggy bank. A cherished heirloom passed down through generations, it serves as a tangible reminder of the importance of saving. As children eagerly deposit coins into its waiting embrace, they learn the joy of delayed gratification and the satisfaction of watching their savings grow.

But saving is just the beginning. It’s about cultivating a holistic approach to money management that encompasses earning, saving, giving, and spending. As parents, we have a responsibility to lead by example, demonstrating godly stewardship in our own lives.

So, how can we teach our children better money management today? It starts with open dialogue and age-appropriate lessons. From teaching the value of hard work to modeling generosity, every interaction is an opportunity to impart wisdom.

As National Teach Your Children How to Save Day approaches, let us seize the moment to invest in the future. Let us sow seeds of financial wisdom that will bear fruit for generations to come. And let us remember that true wealth lies not in the abundance of possessions, but in the richness of our relationship with the One who holds all things in His hands.

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Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Together, let’s embark on this journey of financial stewardship, guided by the timeless truths of scripture.

Until next time, be blessed!