Help Me Stay True in Giving God His Tithe

Can I be real with you for a minute? Tithing is something I wrestle with. I try my best to be faithful, giving to the best of my ability. But let's be honest, sometimes I look around and see others who seem to be blessed in ways I'm not. They have this financial ease, this "caliber" of blessing, that can feel a world away from my own reality. And in those moments of doubt, a quiet, gentle voice reminds me: I am blessed. God does provide. He has come through for me more times than I can count, often in ways I didn't even see until later. He's always there, picking me up when I've lost it and guiding me when I'm blind to the path. My heart is so grateful for that. But my thinking still needs work. My human nature kicks in and whispers, "I earned this. I worked for this salary." It’s a constant battle to get my heart aligned with the truth. And the truth is found in verses like this: “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” - Leviticus 27:30 I recently read something that completely shifted my perspective. It said: instead of saying, "I am giving God my tithe," I should say, "I am giving God His tithe." Wow. That hits different, doesn't it? Because the Bible is clear from the very beginning: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1). He owns every square inch, and that includes you and me. We are not owners; we are stewards. Our first job isn't to build our own kingdom, but to please Him and carry out His will. In God's eyes, that 10% isn't my money that I'm generously donating. It's already dedicated funds, set apart for His purposes on this earth. This reframing changes everything. Tithing isn't a fundraising scheme for the church. It's not a cure-all for a budget shortfall. Tithing is how God raises His children. It’s a training ground for our hearts. As Proverbs 23:26 says, "My son, give me your heart." When God has our deepest affection, our wallets will gladly follow. Look at the first tithers in the Bible: • Abraham tithed out of pure gratitude after God delivered him from his enemies (Genesis 14:20). Has God delivered you? Has He blessed you? Then tithing is a powerful way to show that gratitude. • Jacob was… well, Jacob! A schemer, a manipulator. Not a natural giver. But after a life-changing encounter with God, his heart shifted. He declared, “Of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” (Genesis 28:22). This was hundreds of years before the Law of Moses made it a command! Jacob wasn't motivated by law; he was motivated by love. You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16). We are never more like our Father than when we are giving. For me, tithing is ultimately about putting God first. Jesus said it plainly: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33). When my career, my hobbies, or my worries come first, my priorities are out of whack. Tithing is a practical, tangible way to reverse that order and put God right where He belongs: in the number one slot. And then there’s that incredible promise in Malachi: “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 there will not be room enough to store it.” - Malachi 3:10 God doesn't need my money. The One who paves streets with gold isn't going broke without my tithe. But I might be missing out on the blessing that comes from obedience and faith. This isn't a "prosperity gospel" trick; it's a principle of stewardship. When I demonstrate that God's business means more to me than my own, He promises to take care of my business. I love the story of John D. Rockefeller, who reportedly said, “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.” It starts now. It starts with what we have. So, what kind of giver am I trying to be? I’ve heard there are three kinds: • The Flint: You have to hammer it to get a spark. • The Sponge: You have to squeeze it to get anything out. • The Honeycomb: It just overflows with sweetness. My prayer is to be a honeycomb. To give not out of obligation, but out of an overflow of a grateful heart. Because tithing isn't just a financial transaction; it's an act of profound worship. Think about it: So much of our lives; our time, our energy, our mental focus is invested in earning an income. When we give God the tithe, we are, in a very real sense, giving Him a piece of that invested life. It’s an act of worship that says, 'My whole life, including my work, belongs to You. The act of tithing isn't about the tithe; it's about me. It's not about the possession; it's about the possessor. So, this is my journey. Learning to be a faithful steward. Learning to give God what is already His. And trusting that as I put Him first, He will provide everything I need.