When someone rich dies usually the first question asked by friends and relatives is “How much money did he leave us?” Then the guessing game begins. Actually, there is no need to guess. The answer is simply “He left everything.”
The Bible says we brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out (1Timothy 6:7). Many people equate success and contentment with money and other material possessions. The Bible makes it clear that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). People have strayed from faith because of wealth. Some being so obsessed with the wealth they have gone down the drain morally, physically, spiritually and psychologically. Solomon said, “He who seeks silver will never be satisfied with silver” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Money per-se is not bad. But when it becomes our god - it is bad. God blesses people financially so that wealth can be used to glorify God, spread His Gospel, and to share that wealth with other people who are in need.
We should offer a part of what God has given us to be used for His greater glory. This is the essence of tithing. What is tithing? Tithing is giving the tenth part of one’s income to the Lord. The origin of the Christian practice of tithing is unknown, but the first Biblical account of tithing was on Abraham’s return from slaughtering of the kings, he gave Melchisedec, the king of Salem, one-tenth of the spoils (Genesis 14:17-20). What is certain is that tithing originated long before Moses was born. It started before there was the Hebrew nation.
We can rob God in tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-10). The Lord tells the children of Israel to test Him and see if their storehouses are not full.
Proverbs 3:9 tells us to honor the Lord with our wealth. The Lord grieves when we spend money set aside for Him on other things. This is an insult to the Lord. Tithing should have priority over the other uses of our money. Tithing should also come from our hearts. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
