#56 Tithing

There are two parts to this faithful endeavors. The first is the classic tithing. Everything you own, technically is God's.  You are just blessed to have them.  So when He asked people to tithe, to return ten percent of the income, it's not because He is poor and need that ten percent, it was to our benefits that we be accountable and grow deeper and stronger faith in Him.  One particular book you will enjoy reading related to this issue is a biography of Pavel Goia, "One Miracle After Another."

The second is what some people refer to as "offering."  There is really no specific amount here, but some people recommended the second ten percent be classified as the offering.  Say you make $100 today.  $10 goes toward the first tithe which is given to the church.  The second $10 is the offering, which we often use toward charities, relief organizations like ADRA or United Way, as well as to help certain people that you know of (relatives, neighbors, homeless persons, etc.).

Tithes are returned while offerings are given. Offerings are our response of love and gratitude to God’s blessings and goodness. 

Malachi 3:10-"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (NIV).