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6 Common Obstacles Related to Tithing

#1 - Why should I give my money away?

One of the basic reasons people do not tithe is that they assume the money they make is theirs. They say things like, “What I make is mine.” But is it? Can you earn an income by yourself, without God’s help or the help of other people? Paul boldly declares in 1 Corinthians 6:20, You are not your own. Psalm 24 tells us, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Haggai declares, ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ says the Lord of Hosts (2:8).

#4 - I believe in tithing, but there are so many calls for charity that I cannot give my entire tithe to the church.

The Lord’s tithe is not for secular use. In the Old Testament, the charity tithe for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow was brought in addition to the regular tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28,29). In the New Testament, the Jerusalem Christians gave far more than the tithe (Acts 4:32-37). More charitable work can be done by the church when all Christians bring their tithes to the Lord’s house. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10).

#2 - Where does the Bible teach tithing?

The spiritual discipline of tithing is referenced throughout the Bible. Tithing was practiced by Jewish people in Old Testament times. Read Genesis 28:20-22, II Chronicles 31, Leviticus 27:30-34 and Malachi 3:8- 10. In the New Testament, Jesus declares, Think not that I have come to destroy the Law, or the prophets; I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17). Jesus endorsed obedience to the Law of the tithe and He considered it a sacred duty. Jesus had more to say about the right use of possessions than about any other subject. There are nearly 1,600 references to giving in the Bible! One out of seven verses in the Gospels relate to attitudes toward property. This was also the primary topic of Jesus’ teaching ministry. Luke tells us that when the first church was established at Antioch, the early followers of Christ sold their possessions so that they could make tangible contributions to the building of God’s kingdom on earth (Acts 2:43-47).<

#5 - I want to tithe, but I am not ready to begin. I want to be sure I can go through with it when I start.

When a duty becomes clear, that’s when you should begin performing that duty. Only the devil gains when a Christian puts off doing that which is obedient to God. The more we delay, the more we stifle the church and Kingdom building.

#3 - I can’t afford to tithe.

Many Christians believe they cannot tithe because they are in debt or because they do not earn enough to tithe. The first debt we owe is our obligation to give to the Lord what He has commanded. Exodus 23:19 says, Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.

In Old Testament times, the first of the harvest was to be dedicated to God. In our contemporary setting, that translates to the first payment we are to make when we receive our checks from our jobs or other sources of income. Since God does not send “pink slips” or payment overdue notices, it is easy to take care of other financial obligations while neglecting our responsibilities to the Lord. Giving to God first, out of what He has allowed us to have, demonstrates that God is the #1 priority in our lives.

Remember that God allows us to be stewards or managers of what He has blessed us with. Whether He has blessed you to earn $100 each week or $1,000 each week, He requires at least 10%. That means $10 and $100 respectively. Actually, ALL of it belongs to God anyway. He is being gracious in only requiring 10% and allowing us to keep 90%. News Flash: You Really Don’t Own Anything!

Usually those who object to tithing have never tried it. There is not one known case of someone who has become poorer by tithing. The uniform testimony of those who have established the discipline of tithing is, "I'd rather have 90 % with God, than 100 % without Him!” Others say, “The blessings have been so great that I would not stop tithing for any amount of money; I can’t afford not to tithe.” In the final analysis, it is not little money that keeps people from tithing, but little love, faith and gratitude.

#6 - Salvation is free. We are not under law, but under grace.

If our gratitude to God under grace is less than that of the Jew under the Law, then something is wrong with us. Always remember: Salvation is free; discipleship costs!

If you are not tithing now, don’t think that a sudden increase in your income will make it easier to start. It won’t because you will simply find other ways to spend the money. Unless you learn to tithe on your present income, it is doubtful that you will tithe on a higher one. There is only one way to start tithing: set aside the money. Your tithe must be protected like your rent, mortgage, car note, insurance, utility bills and grocery money. If you are not tithing, now is the time to begin!

It is also important that you take the time to complete your envelope properly.