Giving/tithing is one of the touchiest subjects a preacher presents to his congregation. Why? Because it can make the people being preached to uncomfortable. But here’s the deal…

Principle #1:

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
~ Psalm 24:1

So when it comes to giving, the first and most essential principle you need to remember is this: All those things and all that money you are holding on to—they’re not really yours. They are on loan to you from God. All He’s doing is asking you to share a little of it back with Him.

Do you, though? Do you share back with God or do you hold on to these things with a “That’s mine!” attitude? Go ahead, be honest.

I’ve been there. I’ve panicked when we had less than $5 in the bank for the last week and a half of the month. I’ve panicked instead of giving thanks that all the bills are paid and that we had a freezer with plenty of meat and shelves with plenty of food I’d canned or a garden ripe for the picking to feed my family of six (and a few extra who always seemed to be there).

I’ve been there. I’ve withheld our tithe because I didn’t have the faith that God would provide after I gave back to Him. I withheld instead of trusting in His promise to never let my family be without the things we needed.

I’ve been there. I’ve held a pity-party or two when I was reminded of our lack of financial means compared to the financial abundance of others. I had those pity-parties instead of realizing just how wealthy I was (and still am) in love, healthy children, a faithful spouse, a close family, an amazing church family, and other blessings so much more important than money.

But then something happened. God slammed the breaks on my busy life. He forced me to realize that I needed to live what I’ve spent my whole life claiming to believe—that God is good for every single one of his promises—including the promises of provision. I know God is good for His promises of provision because I’m living them and you can, too.

Principle #2:

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
~ Luke 6:38

When you give, you are making room for God to give you more. When you don’t give, there is no room for the new and additional blessings God has waiting for you.

Principle #3:

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

God doesn’t want us to give back to Him begrudgingly, out of a sense of duty, or to draw attention to ourselves. He wants us to give with the same attitude He has when He gives to us—an attitude of love. He also wants us to give because our hearts trust in God’s goodness and provision.

Principle #4:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
~ Matthew 6:19-21

Material and monetary wealth is temporary. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone who has given thirty years of their life to a company only to have it go under—taking thirty years of money put into a retirement account with it.

Everything in this life is temporary—including life itself as we know it. Life here on earth is not the end. Eternity is real. So are heaven and hell. Where you spend eternity, however, depends on what (or who) your heart treasures.

Principle #5:

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
~Proverbs 3:9-10

God isn’t satisfied with our leftovers and He shouldn’t be. God gave His son—His very best—as payment for our sins. But He didn’t stop there (as if that weren’t enough). God continues to give us His best every single day. For us to give Him anything less than our first and best is something we should be ashamed of.

Giving isn’t a suggestion or a good idea. It is a command. Just like the command to love our neighbors and the command to put no other god before the one true God. So don’t be afraid to live a life that reflects your faith that God’s promises are true. Because they are.

~ By Darla Noble

Additional Bible verses to challenge and encourage you

Take a few minutes to find these Bible verses about giving. Learn from them. Live them.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
~ Proverbs 19:17

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.
~ Leviticus 27:30

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
~ Malachi 3:10

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:19

Related posts

• 5 Bible Verses on Handling your Finances God’s Way
• Is it Wrong to Want Money?

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