Seed Offering
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.
Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Why Tithe?
I. Because it is scriptural.
a. Commenced with Abraham (Gen. 14:18-20)
b. Committed with Jacob (Gen. 28:20-22)
c. Commanded by Moses ( Lev. 27:20-22)
d. Committed by Nehemiah (Neh. 10:37-39, 13:10-12)
e. Charged by Malachi (Mal. 3:8-10)
f Commended by Jesus (Matt 23:23)
II. Because it is sensible.
Jesus never lowered the standards of the law. He raised the standards to a higher level. (Rom 6:15). Tithing is sensible because it is a good, sound and solid investment (Matt. 6:19-20). Tithing is a good investment in not only time but eternity (II Corinth. 4:18). It is an investment in souls. Tithing is a sign of our allegiance of faith (Matt 6:24).
III. Because it is scriptural (II Corinth.4:18)
a A spiritual plan - Tithing is God's work. Tithing sets a pace and acts as a tangible foundation to get the Gospel out.
b. A spiritual purpose - To pleas God. He allows us to hold onto His money until Sunday and then He gives us the opportunity to present it to Him through the storehouse of the local church as a testament of
our faithfulness to Him and as a testimony to the fact that we can be trusted.
c. A spiritual practice - Contrary to the flesh. The flesh is stingy, selfish and self consumed. As Christians we are called to live according to the Holy Spirit and in accordance with the scriptures. To not tithe therefore is not only an act of disobedience, disloyalty and deception, it is a sign that one is not practicing biblical spirituality.
The case of tithing is not presented to raise funds but to grow people in Christ. The goal in tithing is not to get blessing but to please the Lord. But guess what—when you please the Lord, blessings will come!!!