I'm sorry I haven't talked about money much

Ok, I admit. I have not talked about money as much as the Bible and Jesus do.

Two thousand three hundred fifty. That’s the number of Bible verses that refer to finances or possessions. Around 15 percent of Jesus’ preaching, including more than 10 of his parables, centers on money. Theologians and commentators typically explain the emphasis this way: How people save, spend, and give their money tends to communicate quite a bit about their hearts. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”

Some may have clicked on the email button and jumped to this page thinking, “What is he going to ask me to give?” “Does the church have a new building program?” “I know he is becoming a missionary and has to raise support. Is he going to ask me to give?” The answer is yes and no. I’m not going to ask you to give specifically, I’ll let you do that work. Rather, I want you to consider where your heart is. How you spend your money puts on display where your heart is.

Generosity or giving of our resources in the Bible orients our hearts toward God and others. The Bible doesn’t says that we can’t have nice things, save for college or retirement. It does teach proportional giving. Sadly, many people consider giving as a meaningless ritual or a burden they feel obliged to perform. The irony is that these people claim to follow Christ, but in reality, they are robbing God of the very thing that belongs to Him. Proportional giving in the Bible begins at the tithe.

Tithing is an Act of Worship:

Tithing is an act of worship to God, and it involves bringing one-tenth of your income to the church. By tithing, you are acknowledging that everything you have comes from God and showing Him gratitude for His blessings. In Proverbs 3:9-10, it says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Tithing is a way to honor God with your finances and trust that He will provide for you.

Tithing Demonstrates Faith:

By tithing, you are demonstrating your faith in God’s provision even when things may seem financially challenging. When you trust God with your finances, you are acknowledging that He is in control and that He will provide. In Malachi 3:10, it states, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” When you tithe, you are putting God to the test and trusting Him to provide for your needs as He has promised.

Tithing Helps Support the Church:

When you tithe, you are supporting the mission of your local church and helping it to grow. Tithing helps to fund ministries, support staff, and maintain the church’s facilities. In 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, it says, “Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” Tithing helps support the work of the church, and the Bible teaches that those who serve in the church should receive their living from it.

Tithing Helps You Develop a Generous Spirit:

Tithing helps you to develop a generous heart and spirit, and it’s an essential part of growing in your faith. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, “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.” When you give generously through tithing, you will receive blessings not only financially but also in other areas of your life.

Tithing Brings Blessings:

When you honor God through tithing, you open yourself up to His blessings. In Proverbs 3:9-10, it says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Tithing unlocks blessings from God that you may not have received otherwise.

Tithing is taught in the Bible and is an essential part of every Christian’s faith. Tithing honors God demonstrates faith, supports the church, helps you develop a generous spirit, and brings blessings. As Christians, we are called to trust God in all areas of our lives, including our finances. When we trust God with our finances, He reorients us to Him, each other, and the world.

If you are blessed by God, be a blessing and I’ll try to do a better job talking about money like Jesus did.