Acknowledging God for His blessings

Because God is the Creator, life giver and sustainer of every living being, it follows that He has the prerogative to ask something in return from those who live as tenants on His property. Thousands of years ago He instituted the financial principle of tithing—giving 10 percent of one's increase to His representatives—as a way of acknowledging Him as the source of our blessings. Tithing also provides a means for allowing His truth to be shared with others.

Scripture shows us that the Old Testament patriarchs Abraham and Jacob tithed (Genesis 14:18-20; 28:22). God commanded the entire nation of Israel to tithe (Leviticus 27:30). Jesus Christ endorsed tithing (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).

People who think tithing is a humanly contrived scheme to obtain wealth fail to see this financial practice was ordained by God, not man, for a great spiritual purpose. They also fail to see that being willing to acknowledge and obey God in this matter is an important step toward attaining personal happiness and financial success.

God promises material blessings to those who obey Him and acknowledge Him with their wealth (Proverbs 3:1, 9-10). Through the prophet Malachi God warned that withholding His tithe amounts to robbing Him, but He will bless those who tithe (Malachi 3:7-12).

God gives us "every good and perfect gift" (James 1:17). Giving a 10th back to Him, along with offerings that express our gratitude, is a basic financial obligation. Putting God first in your financial planning shows you are getting your priorities straight and willing to follow God's instruction. The first 10th of our increase is holy to God (Leviticus 27:30) and should be set aside for His purposes and desires rather than our own.