“…bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground…” Malachi 3:10-11 (NKJV)
Over the years, there have been a lot of controversies concerning the tithe. Some say it is no longer needed because we are not under the law, others say it was only for the Jews and not for Christians and the list goes on. However, the truth remains that the subject of the tithe is not a matter to be debated because when you study the scriptures very carefully, you discover that God’s idea about the tithe was to establish our relationship with Him and remind us that we are in a relationship with Him, so that we can acknowledge His role in our lives and give Him the reverence that He deserves. It was not a matter of the law but a matter of love. That is why it did not come with the law but before it. (Genesis 14:20). Sadly this is where many have missed it, they categorize it with the law when it is a matter of love. In Deuteronomy 14:23, the heart of the Lord concerning tithes and offerings was revealed to us and when you read very well, it gives us a vivid explanation of what our tithes and offerings truly are to God and why we should engage in it.
It says “And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always…”I want you to take note of the choice of words used in the final part of the text we just read now. It says that you may learn to fear the Lord your God. This means our obedience to tithe and offerings is a display of our reverence for God. It is what we do to prove that we understand that God is our Father, He owns us, and He is the reason for our very existence. It is what we do to prove that we do not only love God in words but in deeds as well. Now, anyone can read the above text we just read now and dwell on the wrong thing, meanwhile, the real message behind the scripture is clear. So, I want to encourage you today to become obedient in giving your tithes and offerings. In Romans 13:7, the Bible says, “render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour…”In other words, you must give honour to whom honour is due. Beloved, do not deprive God of the honour that is due to Him, so that He can reward you accordingly. God has said, “…those who honour Me I will honour, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed…” 1 Samuel 2:30b (NKJV). Halleluiah!
Today’s Rhema
Tithes and offerings to God are your reverence and honour!
Confession for the Day
Father I’m grateful for revealing this deep truth to me, I declare that henceforth I will not hold back that which honours you. I will continually honour you with that which you have blessed me with, now and all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen!
