Ps. Andrew Taylor
28th November 2010

The foundational Biblical teaching concerning money, begins with tithing. The words tithe and tithes occur 40 times in 33 verses in the King James Version. It is a principle that God Himself instituted.

Here are some core principles of tithing outlined by Pastor Taylor.

• Apart from tithes, other forms of giving include offerings and alms.
• Leviticus 27:32 says that “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock … the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.”
• Tithing should be on the gross and not net income.
• Romans 13:8 says “Owe no man any thing”. We must not live our lives on loans. Because the borrower is a slave to the lender.
• 1 Thimothy 6:6 tells us that we must learn to be content in all situations. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
• We must budget to keep our finances in check. We must try not to borrow money on a depreciating item
• It is not how much you have, but what you do with what you have.
• Major decisions should not be taken hastily.
• Success lies not in much we can get, but in how much we can give and release into the lives of others.
• There is no scriptural basis for the concept of ‘Graduated tithing.’
• Our tithe should go to the storehouse, the place where we receive the Word, worship and are knit together in fellowship with other believers. It is where our spiritual needs are taken care of, where wedding and funeral services of our family and loved ones, are conducted.
• It is not about the amount we give, but the percentage.
• We don’t give our tithe, we pay our tithe. God owns all that we have and we are merely entrusted with it. It is just as appropriate to say that we return our tithe.
• Malachi 3:9 – some are cursed because they have withheld their tithe.
• Genesis 4:1-4 – tithing preceded Melchizedek.  Adam and Eve must have taught Cain and Abel to bring their offerings to God.
• Tithing is not so much a money issue, as it is a trust issue. Often we want to retain control over this area.
• Tithing is a matter of commitment and obedience.
• The Lord Jesus must have received gifts. Why else would He need a treasurer?
• In Mark 12:41-42, the Bible suggests that our Lord Jesus watched what people put into the treasury.
• It is a joy and privilege to give to our Lord. God loves a cheerful giver 2 Corinthians 9:7.
• Sowing and reaping is a Biblical principle – 2 Corinthians 9:6.

God is interested in how we manage our finances. And He longs to bless us abundantly. However we must adhere to His principles and honour Him through our tithes and offerings.