Northside Baptist Church

The word "tithe" literally means a "tenth part" or "10%".  In the Bible God tells us that we are to give the first 10% of all we earn back to Him.  Giving less than 10% is not tithing.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "TITHE" AND AN "OFFERING"?

A tithe it 10% of your income. An offering is any amount you give over and above that amount.  An offering is anything you give in addition to your tithe, such as gifts for special projects, your church builidng fund, etc. Tithing is God's minimum standard, the starting point.  As God prospers you, you will want to give more.

WHY SHOULD I TITHE? 

11 Reasons From God's Word

1.  Because God commands it!

"A tithe of all you produce is the Lord's and is holy."  Leviticus 27:30 

2. Because Jesus commands it! 

"Yes, you should tithe, and you shouldn't leave the more important things undone either." Matthew 23:23 

3. Because tithing shows that God has first place in my life! 

"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first place in your life."  Deut. 14:23  (If God does not have first priority in your finances, He isn't really first in your life.) 

4. Because it reminds me that everything I have was given to me by God!

"Always remember that it is the Lord your God whoe gives you the ability to produce wealth." Deut. 8:18 (Rather than feeling "I'm giving God 10% of my money" realize God is letting you keep 90% of HIS MONEY.  Without God's help, you would have nothing.) 

5. Because tithing expresses my gratitude to God for helping me earn income!

"How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?"  Ps 16:12   Here's the answer.  "Each of you should bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you."  Deut. 16:17 

6. Because refusing to tithe is stealing from God!

If you don't tithe, God says you are using money that rightfully belongs to Him.  "God says, 'Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!' But you ask, How do we rob You/' God says, 'In tithes and offerings. Bring your whole tithe to My house.'" Malachi 3:8-10 (God has a right to whatever He asks from you.)

7. Because tithing gives God a chance to prove to tyou that He exists and wants to bless you.

"Bring me your tithe. Test me in this," says the Lord, "and see if I won't throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing tha tyou will not have room enough for it.  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will be protected from plagues." 

This is one of the most amazing promises in the BIble. God actually offers you a challenge. He says, "I dare you! Start tithing and watch what happens!"  He not only promises to bless you with more, but He also promises to protect what you already have ! In the Bible, tithing is the only way given that you can prove God exists.  Start tithing and get ready for God's blessings.

8. Because it is essential for Christian growth!

"Just as you grow in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in earnestness and love...see that you also grow in the grace of giving."  

Many Christians remain spiritual babies because they disobey God by not tithing.  

9. Because tithing shows I really love God!

"Where your treasure is, your heart will be also." Matt 6:21  Wherever you put your money is where your affection is going to be.  Everytime  you give back to God you are drawn closer to Him.  You may say you love God, but 2 Cor. 8:8 says that your giving tests the sincerity of your love.  You gan give without loving but you cannot love without giving.  Jesus said, "If you love me, do what I command." John 14:15 

10. Because tithing is an investment for eternity!

Jesus told us to "Store up treasures in heaven."  Matt. 6:19-20  How do you do that?  By investing money in helping people get to heaven!  Most of the things you spend your money on will not even last for ten years, much less for eternity. 

11. Because you cannot outgive God!

There are more promises in the Bible connected to giving than any other subject.  Giving unlocks the promises of God in your life.  When you give, God always gives back to you in greater degree.  Jesus said, "For if you give, you will get. Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure. Whatever measure you use to give it will be used to measure what is given back to you."  Luke 6:38 

WHAT SHOULD I TITHE?

The first 10% of every paycheck, and all else you earn.  "Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns ... to overflow." Prov. 3:9-10.   God doesn't want your "left-over" income at the end of the month.  He wants first place.

 WHERE SHOULD I GIVE MY TITHE?

The Bible is very clear that God expects the tithe to be given back to Him at the place where you worship. In the Old Testament they brought their tithes to the Temple.  In the New Testament the tithe was given at the synagogue or church.  While there are many fine organizations, charities, and ministries, the church is God's institution.  You may support other ministries with additional offerings.  Only givts given to God as an act of worship at the house of worship are considered tithes.

WHEN SHOULD I TITHE?

1 Cor. 16:2 says, "On the first day of every week, set aside some of what you have earned and give it as an offering.  The amound depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn." 

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO REMEMBER TO TITHE?

Every time you earn income set aside 10% of it in an account labeled -- "Tithing".  Northside provides envelopes for tithers.  Keep it in a prominent place on your desk as a weekly reminder.

In order to teach your children the principles of tithing you should get offering envelopes for each child to use.  Even preschoolers can bring their weekly offering to church.  If you children are old enough to receive an allowance, they are old enough to learn to give the first 10% back to God.

SHOULD I TITHE ON MY NET INCOME OR GROSS INCOME?

Which do you want God to bless--your net or your gross?  Proverbs 3:9 says we are honoring God with the first part of all our income. We believe that means the gross income.  Anyway, 2 Corinthinans 9:6 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously." 

WHAT IF I CAN'T AFFORD TO TITHE?

If you are in debt, you can't afford not to tithe!  You need God's help to get out of debt.  There are many financial principles in the Bible but the starting point is to be honest to God by beginning to tithe.  Tell God you're going to put Him first in your finances, that you are willing to obey the principles in His Word, and ou are trusting Him to help you get out of debt.

THE REAL ISSUE

As a pastor, I've heard every excuse ever invented for not tithing. But in every case, an unwillingness to do what God says can be boiiled down to two motives:  First, materialistic values.  If you're more interested in "having things" than pleasng God, you won't tithe.  You may store up treasure on earth, but you won't store up treasure in heaven.  Second, unbelief.  If you don't really believe God willkeep all of His promises He has made regarding tithing, you won't do it.

WHY DON'T YOU BOW YOUR HEAD AND PRAY THIS PRAYER OF COMMITMENT:

"Father, I know You love me and want what's best for me.  I recognize that all I have, or will ever have, comes from You.  I am more interested in pleasing You than in having more possessions.  I want You to have first plac ein my life and I am willing to begin tithing as You have commanded.  Out of gratitude for all you've done for me, and in expectation that You will continue to provide for me, I commit myself to returning at least the first 10% of all I earn back to YOu.  I want to begin investing for eternity.  Help me to remain faithful to this prayer.