Tithe - is a big beautiful word

Often, I would hear someone say, “I don’t like that church. I do not want to join that church, because they require 10% of my income.” Sometimes they will add, “Oh no, I am my own charitable organization.”

First, the church does not require anyone to “tithe.” GOD does. Hence regardless of your faith or your denomination or the lack of it, GOD expects his 10%.

To think that tithe is money you put in an old dusty envelop and dropped in the collection tray in a musty church, is just part of the tithing process. Of course, churches would like your tithes and all the extras. Churches need money to maintain their houses of worship, pay salaries to the folks in various ministries, and toss in fellowship meals, concerts, and other outreach activities. But that is just one part of the panorama covered by tithe.

Check this out. Malachi 3:10 KJV – Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Who will bring the tithe? Ye all. What will you bring? The tithes. Where will you bring it? Into the storehouse. Let us pause right here. So, “ALL” are required to pay tithe. In GOD’s generous proportions, ALL get to keep the 9% and GOD gets to keep the 1%. For what? For GOD’s storehouse. What and where is that storehouse? Let us dissect storehouse. Where? Anywhere. What would GOD keep in his store house. Remember Jesus Christ? He gave away love, kindness, healing, food, salvation, the gospel truth, and the list goes on and on. So, what would GOD’s storehouse be? A church is GOD’s storehouse. Here you can tap into the Gospel truth. The soup kitchen. Relief that can be utilized in forms of winter coats, clothes, shoes, and other amenities. In the broader scheme of things, GOD’s storehouse spans the globe. At times, these store houses are spearheaded by organizations who dispense of health/medical (procedures) services, education, food distribution, disaster relief, social, community, and child services where and when needed.

GOD specifically states that he wants your tithe for this reason. “so that there may be meat in mine house.” “Meat” in GOD’s house is a loaded word. GOD’s house is a house full of blessings. Is church the only edifice that can be referred to as the house of GOD? Church is a house of worship. It is a place we congregate to offer praise and prayers of thanksgiving. Here we also organize community services. However, GOD is present everywhere. His spirit powers the universe, and where love and kindness reigns, you will find him there.

But that is not enough. GOD said, “and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

With those words, the entire powers of the GOD Head are unleashed to ensure a magnificent return on investment for the 1% you gave. The LORD is not asking you to prove yourself to him. After all, everything you own belongs to GOD. But he is challenging you “to prove him now,” and receive the blessings you dared not imagine.

So, do you lose money when you tithe or give to a charity organization the LORD has impressed in your heart to support? In tithing, the LORD simply wants you to invest in his enterprise of love, kindness, and compassion. He simply wants you to share your blessings to the poor, the hungry, and the destitute. He just wants you to be his agent for the generous loving GOD his holy name represents. He just wants you to give.

Let us spread GOD’s love and kindness this Christmas season and throughout the year. Tithe.

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