Honoring God with Our First and Best

Tithe does not take anything away from you. It releases God’s blessing to you. 

  • Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
  • When you give the first to God, you redeem the rest
  • Whatever is done with the first governs all the rest
  • A God-first life will be a blessed life

Tithing honors God

  • Number 18:39-31 Make sure that God’s portion is the best and holiest of everything you get. Tell the Levites, when you offer the best part, the rest will be treated the same as grain from the threshing floor or wine from the wine vat that others give. You and your households are free to eat the rest of it anytime and anyplace – it’s your wages for your work at the Tent of Meeting.
  • By giving God our first and best, we are showing honor to God
  • We show value of the people we love by the way we give to them
  • God does not get our leftovers: that would be demeaning
  • Tithing is a clear declaration of the value and priority we’ve placed on God in our life

Tithing is a “trust in God” move

  • Proverbs 3:5-10 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
  • Tithing is a tangible way to exhibit trust; you’re saying “God, I am relying on you to watch over me.”
  • Tithing is a discipleship move and spiritual growth activity
  • When you tithe, you’re not relying on your own strength to live life well

Tithing is a matter of the heart

  • Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  • You can tell what a person treasures by looking at where their finances go
  • It’s not really about the money, it’s totally about the heart

Tithing plants my best seed for my best future

  • Life operates around a sowing and reaping principle
  • Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.
  • What we sow and how we sow creates our future
  • Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
  • You determine your life standard by what you are willing to give
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
  • The temptation is to keep our best seed and eat it but when we plant our best seed, we’re creating our best future
  • By giving the very best seed to God, we are putting our future into His hands