A Good Tithing

Honoring God Through Faithful and Joyful Giving

Memory Verse

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

— 2 Corinthians 9:7

Introduction

Money is one of the greatest tests of our faith. Jesus spoke about money more often than many other topics because He knew that our finances reveal the condition of our hearts.

Many people think of tithing as simply giving 10% of their income to the church. Others have experienced teachings that use fear, guilt, or promises of wealth to pressure people into giving.

The Bible presents a different picture.

A good tithe is not merely about giving an amount; it is about honoring God with a willing heart. Giving is an act of worship, trust, gratitude, and obedience to the One who first gave everything for us.

Before we ask, "How much should I give?" we should first ask, "Why do I give?"

I. God Owns Everything

Key Verse

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
— Psalm 24:1

Everything we have belongs to God.

• Our job
• Our salary
• Our business
• Our talents
• Our possessions
• Even our lives

We are not owners.

We are stewards.

God has entrusted these blessings to us so we may use them wisely for His glory.

Application

Giving reminds us that everything already belongs to God.

II. What Is a Tithe?

The word tithe literally means one-tenth (10%).

In the Old Testament, God instructed Israel to bring a tenth of their produce and livestock.

The purpose was to:

• Support the Levites
• Maintain temple worship
• Care for the poor
• Help widows
• Help foreigners

It was part of Israel's covenant with God.

III. Giving Began Before the Law

Many believe tithing started with Moses.

Actually, it existed before the Law.

Abraham

After God gave Abraham victory,

he voluntarily gave a tenth to Melchizedek.

Genesis 14:20

Abraham gave as an act of worship.

Not because anyone forced him.

Jacob

Jacob made a promise to God.

"Of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth."

— Genesis 28:22

Again,

this happened before the Law of Moses.

The principle of honoring God with our possessions existed long before Israel received the Law.

IV. Understanding Malachi Correctly

One of the most quoted passages about tithing is Malachi 3.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse..."

Many churches use this passage to encourage giving.

However, we should understand its original context.

Who was God speaking to?

• The nation of Israel.
• The priests.
• People living under the Mosaic Covenant.

The "storehouse" referred to the temple, where food was kept to support the Levites and temple ministry.

What can Christians learn?

The principle remains valuable:

• Honor God first.
• Support God's work.
• Trust God rather than wealth.

But Christians should be careful not to use this passage to pressure others with fear or guilt, because the New Testament emphasizes willing and cheerful giving.

V. Jesus Focused on the Heart

Jesus taught that giving is not about appearance.

It is about devotion.

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
— Matthew 6:21

Money often reveals what we truly love.

Jesus praised the poor widow who gave only two small coins because she gave sacrificially and trusted God completely.

(See Mark 12:41–44.)

God measures the heart before He measures the amount.

VI. Giving Under the New Covenant

The New Testament shifts the focus from law to grace.

Paul writes:

"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

Notice what Paul does not say.

He does not command believers to give because they fear punishment.

Instead, he teaches that giving should be:

• Voluntary
• Joyful
• Generous
• Worshipful

VII. Why Should Christians Give?

1. To Worship God

Giving acknowledges that God comes first in our lives.

2. To Support God's Work

Our giving helps:

• Local churches
• Missionaries
• Evangelism
• Bible teaching
• Discipleship

3. To Help Those in Need

The early church cared for the poor.

Giving reflects God's compassion.

4. To Grow Spiritually

Giving teaches us to trust God more than money.

5. To Show Gratitude

Everything we have is a gift from God.

Giving is our response of thanksgiving.

VIII. What Makes a Good Tithe?

A good tithe is...

Given with Love

Not because of pressure.

Given with Faith

Trusting God to provide.

Given Honestly

Without seeking recognition.

Given Cheerfully

Not reluctantly.

Given Consistently

Making generosity a regular part of life.

Given Sacrificially

Sometimes generosity requires personal sacrifice.

IX. Things Christians Should Avoid

A good tithe should never be motivated by:

❌ Fear of being cursed

❌ Pressure from people

❌ Desire to become rich

❌ Trying to buy God's blessing

❌ Seeking praise from others

Instead,

our giving should be motivated by love for Christ.

X. Is 10% Still Important?

The New Testament does not command every Christian to give exactly 10%.

However,

many believers choose to give 10% as a helpful starting point because it reflects a long-standing biblical pattern.

Others may give:

• More than 10%
• Less during times of hardship

What matters most is that our giving honors God and flows from a willing heart.

XI. The Greatest Gift

Before God asked us to give anything,

He gave His Son.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..."
— John 3:16

Jesus gave His life so we could receive eternal life.

Every offering we bring is simply a response to the greatest gift ever given.

Reflection Questions

1. Do I recognize that everything I own belongs to God?
2. Why do I give—out of love, fear, or obligation?
3. Does my giving reflect my trust in God?
4. Am I generous toward God's work and people in need?
5. Is my heart more attached to money or to Christ?

Key Takeaways

• God owns everything.
• Tithing began before the Law as an act of worship.
• Malachi teaches important principles but must be understood in its original context.
• The New Testament emphasizes generous, cheerful, and willing giving.
• Giving supports God's work and blesses others.
• The heart of the giver matters more than the amount.
• We give because God first gave to us through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

A good tithe is not measured only by how much we give, but by why and how we give.

The Bible never presents giving as a way to earn God's love or purchase His blessings. Instead, it is a joyful response to His grace. Whether you choose to give 10% as a biblical pattern or another amount according to your circumstances, let your giving be marked by faith, gratitude, integrity, and love.

When we understand the gospel, giving stops being a burden and becomes an act of worship. We honor God not because He needs our money, but because He deserves our whole heart. As believers, we are invited to become generous people, reflecting the generosity of the God who gave us His greatest gift—Jesus Christ.