The Sunday morning began like most. We finished breakfast. Mom was putting the final touches on her lady-like appearance. Dad, my brother Rick, and I were in the den watching The Gospel Jubilee with its enjoyable mix of Southern Gospel music from The Blackwood Brothers, The Goodmans, and others.
Dad leaned forward in his recliner and picked up his checkbook from an end table. He filled out a check to First FWB Church, Anderson, Indiana. He signed, folded, and placed the check in his shirt pocket. Later, he would slip it from his pocket and drop it into an offering plate during the Sunday morning worship service.
I was in my mid-teens, but I remember the Sunday morning routine well. It was not the first time I had witnessed this act. It was Dad’s practice every Sunday morning for as long as I can remember.
Why do I tithe? My parents taught me to tithe. They believed in and practiced tithing when I was a boy, and 45 years later they still do. They talked about tithing in front of my brother and me. They told us why they tithed.
They described the ways God had blessed our family because they tithed.They even scared us a little by mentioning others who didn’t tithe, and how those people “paid the tithe” through medical bills, car repairs, and other unforeseen expenses.
They made such a strong case for tithing that my brother and I didn’t know we couldn’t tithe as boys growing up in the Albert Harris household.
I tithe because I know tithing is a good investment.
I remember reading Malachi 3 during my early days as a student at Welch College. Sure, I had read that passage before, but I was in college, away from my tithing parents, and making my own choices in life.
God spoke to my heart that day in a direct and meaningful way. Through His Word, he told me, “Roy, why not test me? If you’ll be faithful in tithing, I’ll take care of all your needs and give you more than you can imagine for the rest of your life. I’ll take what you give me, multiply it, and give back much more than you’ve given me” (Malachi 3:10-12).
I made a commitment to God that day and believed in His commitment to me. I’ve remained faithful to my tithing
commitment for more than 40 years, and I can say without hesitation that God not only kept His commitment to me, He has given me far more than I could have imagined as an 18-year-old student.
I’ve made a number of good investments, which have produced good results. I can truly say, however, the greatest investment with the best return is the heavenly investment of the tithe and offering.
I tithe because the Bible tells me to.
God’s Word is clear on tithing. God requires a tithe from every believer. Malachi 3:8-9 reinforces God’s command to tithe. He instructs us in verse eight that men rob God when they do not give tithes and offerings.
It’s a dangerous thing to steal from God. How dangerous? I wouldn’t want to offend the One who holds my entire financial future in His hands. Verse nine says those who rob God pay a heavy price. Instead of receiving God’s favor and blessings, they are cursed and receive God’s disfavor.
I tithe because it is God’s plan for supporting the church.
In Malachi 3:10, God instructs us to bring the tithes into the storehouse. Obviously, the local church is God’s modern day storehouse and the depository for the currency of the tithe. I give my tithe to my local church and then give my offerings God directs, from missions endeavors to Welch College.
I never have to pray about the minimum I should give, or where I should give it. God has clearly defined a minimum of 10% of all my income is to be given to my local church. From there, the sky is the limit on how much and where to give offerings.
Should you tithe?
Parents, remember your children are watching. They will do as you do rather than do as you say. Parents want children to enjoy the best life they can afford. Yet the most beneficial financial legacy parents can leave to their children is a faithful example of returning the tithe and making sacrificial financial offerings to the Lord.
You may wonder why I used the phrase return the tithe rather than give? The simple truth is the tithe already belongs to God. We actually begin giving after the tithe. Offering follows the tithe once the tithe threshold has been met and returned to God.
Want a hot tip on a sound financial investment? Learn to live on 90% of what God gives you. Put Him to the test. Cheerfully return 10% to Him and watch Him multiply it and give back to you above and beyond what you thought or imagined.
Scripture teaches us that God loves a cheerful giver. Want to make God happy? Return the tithe to Him, and understand that all you receive is His gift to you. You might be surprised what a wonderful satisfying feeling you experience each time you return the tithe and give an offering.
Why do I tithe? A better question might be: why wouldn’t I? What about you?
About the Writer: Roy Harris has more than 35 years of ministry experience as pastor, educator, and conference speaker, serving in leadership positions on the local, state, and national levels. He served 16 years on the staff, faculty and administration of Welch College.
