Tithing is a very touchy subject among Christians. Many people are upset when they hear a sermon on the subject because they feel that the church is always asking for money. The simple truth is: many Christians are robbing God.

WHY ARE WE HERE?
What is our sole purpose on this earth? We are here to glorify God. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). All that we have comes from God, "remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18a). How can we glorify God when all that we give to him is what is left over? Should not God be first?

Jesus tells us that our first concern should be the Kingdom of God and then "all of these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). Here, as in Malachi, there is a command and a promise.

LEGALISM?
Since Christians are not under the Law, many believe that the tithe of the Old Testament does not apply today. Yet, look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

So, while ten percent is not a legal requirement, it's a good starting point. Some may be able to give more, some may not. In fact, some calculations have been made based upon the offerings required in Deuteronomy and the total is about 25 percent!

WHY TITHE?
The most basic reason to tithe is that it reminds us that all that we have comes from God and that without him we would have nothing. Beyond this, however, what is done with the money that we give to our local church? The church has three major functions. These can be divided into those functions relating to the world (evangelism), to itself as a church (edification), and to God (worship). There are a number of ingredients necessary to carry out these functions, one of them is money.

In addition, God makes an astonishing statement in Malachi 3:10, "Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." God generally tests us. There are only a few instances in the Bible where we are told to test God.

Finally, if our chief goal in this life is to glorify God, does it not make sense that we should use the resources that he gave us to help his church? A recent study reported that 96% of people who called themselves evangelical Christians do not tithe. Can you imagine what would happen in our world if Christians began to tithe? What a change we would see in our sin-ridden society!