TITHE: GATEWAY TO DIVINE PROSPERITY.
Till date, there has been a whole lot of controversial issues evolving around the subject tithing amongst the larger majority of non church goers/ believers just as the ‘believers’ are not left out in this discourse. Many questions begin to emanate such as; is it a must for one to pay tithe? Why should I pay tithe? Who do I pay the tithe to? What are the implications to tithe paying? What difference does it make if I don’t pay my tithe? Is tithing a gateway to divine prosperity amongst others? On this premise, this would be attempted with the aid of the Bible (scriptures) as a guide.
The dictionary defines “tithe” as follows: (In the past) a tenth of the goods that somebody produced or the money that they earned that was paid as a tax to support the church. (In some Christian churches today) A tenth of a person’s income that they give to the church. The tenth of the produce of land and stock allotted originally for church purpose.
The Bible (scripture) defines tithe in the following passages, Genesis 28:19-22 (specifically v.22).
Jacob promised God, by a vow, to pay his tithes. Genesis 14:17-20(specifically v.20) Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek. Leviticus 27:30, talks about all the tithes of the land. Numbers 18:24, 26, 28 speaks about tithe and the tithe of tithes. It is worthy to note that God has always used giving as a means to carry out whatever commission He gives to His people. The Bible first mentioned tithing when Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, a priesthood that predates even the patriarchs.
When we give God His tithe, it is a sign that we trust and believe in Him. Abel brought the best of his flock as an offering. Abraham, the father of the faithful, gave Melchizedek a tenth of all his goods. Jacob acknowledged God in His life by promising to give Him a tenth of all. Tithing demonstrates that a person worships God. It is an act of faith, a spiritual act like prayer, and without faith, it is impossible to please God.
One very question an individual asks is why should a Christian/believer pay tithe? the answers are not far- fetched, and they are; It is a divine command (compulsory), It is scriptural (biblical), it provokes God’s blessings of abundance and sufficiency, it brings divine protection, it gives peace of mind, it gives you a standing before God to approach His throne with boldness and more importantly, as sons and daughters of Abraham by faith we must emulate him (our spiritual father of faith) by paying our tithes as he did. Genesis 14:20.
Who and where do you pay your tithe to? The tithe is paid to the Church, so as to carry out the various activities the church might be in need of. Majorly, it is used to run the church. “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 (Mal. 3:10 KJV)”. Whenever we default in paying our tithes or delay in doing so? The following happens to such individual; We open the door to devourers, we lose spiritual and divine protection, we lose our blessings of abundance and sufficiency, we pay an extra money on top of the tithe, such individual will pay one – fifth (1/5) of the tithe in addition to the tithe for not paying your tithe accurately, accordingly and punctually.
Leviticus 27: 13, 15, 31.
John Felix
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