In His Word God instructs His people to bring three major gifts to Him. I use the term ‘major,’ for Israel were given many seasonal offerings which are not carried over into the New Testament, but these three are: 1. Tithes 2. Offerings 3. First fruits. Each is different and required by God. In return, He promises blessings and abundance. The Jews still honor God this way; which is why, wherever they go in the world, they succeed and prosper. Let us look in a little more detail at each of these three different types of giving: 1. Tithes The tithe is the first ten percent of everything I receive. It belongs to the Lord. So, notice clearly the order: FIRST I receive from the Lord; THEN I bring my tithe (10%) to Him. I pay my tithes – not give them – as they never belonged to me, they always belonged to the Lord. 2. Offerings Offerings are different in that they are voluntary giving above my tithe. They flow from three sources: 1. The generosity of my heart 2. As I feel led by the Holy Spirit and 3. As a seed for God’s hundred-fold return. Realizing that my giving determines my receiving, my goal should be to plant as much as I have faith to sow! With the tithe, I receive and then give to God. The offering is different. With offerings, first I give, then I receive. I sow from what I currently have in faith for God to give me back a multiplied harvest. I sow into the Gospel in faith for a hundred-fold return. 3. First fruits ‘Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.’ (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:45:55 +0000