For most, Monday is often viewed as the start of a week. However, our calendars indicate that the first day of any week is always Sunday– the Lord’s Day. Honoring God means putting Him in his rightful place, as first in all things. Many of us set aside Sunday as a day to honor God, and start our week right, and just like with our time, the principle of honoring God first also applies to our money. The Biblical principle of tithing, is an ageless truth which commands God’s people to bring the tithe (10%) of our income into the Lord’s storehouse. The tithe is God’s design, which helps us set our priorities where they should be-honoring God, and His people.‍

Tithing is not me giving God 10% of my money, it’s him letting me keep 90% of his money.

1. What is the tithe?

Tithing is a biblical principle, set by God before the foundation of the law. The tithe of our firstfruits was present before the law, during, and after. In godly principle, there is something special about the first! God calls us to give him a tenth of our firstfruits, not because we owe him something, but because he first gave us everything.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house”- Malachi 3:10

2. Why do we tithe?

Tithing is a form of obedience in which God entrusts us with His money, and we honor Him by giving back a portion. Ultimately, the tithe goes beyond our physical resources; God doesn't need your money, he is after your heart.  When we choose to tithe our firstfruits, it checks our heart and brings God’s blessing. The mission of tithing is to build God’s storehouse and serve His people. In our finances, our money needs a mission, and the mission needs money.

“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.” Deuteronomy 14:23 TLB

As humans, it is in our nature to want to be first, and strive to be our best. When we shift our focus on God, rather than ourselves, we not only reflect the heart of Jesus, but God’s hand of blessing falls upon us as we give HIM our first, and our best. God so loved the world that he gave. He does not withhold a good thing from those that love him, and when we reciprocate that love we put God in his rightful place and see him for all that he is. Provider, Father, Protector, and Lord of all.