Three purposes of Tithing:
- It is a test of obedience to see if we will obey. God wants to know where our hearts are.
- God may not need your money, but the church does, and God wants to use you to pay the bills, and to build up the Kingdom of God. (You are His chosen vessel) That’s the purpose of money. (see Duet. 8:18)
- Tithing is not a method of getting money from you; it is a method of getting money to you. We are to tithe under the Order of Melchizedek of which Jesus is the high priest. We are not to tithe under the Levitical system as we are not Levites (most churches preach under the Levitical system which is incorrect).
We are Stewards of his possessions while on earth. We can keep 90%. We are to return 10% of our gross income to our church. This is not optional. Tithing is an ordinance of God, and we are to confess according to Deuteronomy 26 what the Word states. The tithe is required and is considered the basic minimum. Tithing puts you in a position to receive and opens the doors. The next points, “giving” is what brings the harvest.
Giving is the Key to Blessings and the Key to understanding Biblical Finances
God’s economy is based upon seed-time and harvest. Giving releases super-natural blessing that will be returned to the giver. Giving is not restricted to money; it can be time as well. Give your time to God every morning by spending time with Him. Spend time with others in ministry doing good works. Offerings (given beyond the tithe) planted into His Kingdom, when handled correctly, will bring a harvest.
Live within Reasonable Boundaries
Budgets need to be set in how you spend your time and your money. Watching sports is fine; just don’t make it your life. Sadly, hockey has become Canada’s national religion. In the U.S. it is football and in many other parts of the world its soccer. It is just a game; get a life – one with God in it. Spending money must be with the confines of income.
Save and Invest
The fourth financial principle concerns saving money. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it. Proverbs 22:3 says, “There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it”. Save and invest for major purchases like cars, houses, your children’s education and retirement.
Keep Out of Debt
The bible says that it is the wicked that borrow money. STAY OUT OF DEBT. Borrowing for a house is one thing but taking on financial obligations with all the “buy now and pay later schemes” is wicked. Psalm 37:21 says “the wicked borrows, and pays not again.” As soon as you borrow you lose your freedom. Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Budget
“Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Proverbs 24:3,4). It amazes me how little the average person knows about personal consumer finances let alone biblical finances. If you don’t know something, go and find out! “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs. 4:7) Take courses, read books, study the Word – learn what you don’t know and then put it into action. You must keep a good set of books which includes budgeting and planning.
Don’t Cosign a Loan
God says in Proverbs 27:13 to exercise extreme caution in cosigning. The advice infers that the world’s poorest credit risk is the man who agrees to pay a stranger’s debt. When a person cosigns a note, he is the one who is really borrowing the money. The reason a person needs a cosigner is because the lender is unwilling to lend that money to the person requesting the loan. That being the case, why are you consigning?
Work Hard
“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to poverty” (Proverbs. 14:23). “Work your garden – you’ll end up with plenty of food; play and party – you’ll end up with an empty plate” (Proverbs 28:19 The Message). It is important to work. “In the beginning, God created” (Gen. 1:1). Even God is at work, and He assigned work to Adam too. This is a principle throughout the Bible. Many times I find that people in financial trouble aren’t really working hard.
Get Good Godly Advice
Psalm 1:1 declares, “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” A person needing financial advice should not go to someone who makes his living selling the very thing he’s contemplating buying. My financial advisor gets paid by the hour, not by the products he could sell to me (i.e. commission sales). The reason so many people don’t seek counsel is that they don’t want to be told by someone an intended action is unsound – they just like to do what they want anyway. In other words, their own pride keeps them from seeking help. Be humble and ask for counsel from wise people.
Rejoice In What You Have and Be Happy
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things that you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. The North American and European cultures are based upon getting, having and keeping. Trying to “keep up with the Joneses” is a way of life for many people. In fact, the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending. We think that if we do not have the latest smartphone that we are poor. If you have the basics of life; food, clothing, shelter, and freedom you have more than 50% of what the rest of the world’s population has.
Further to my point watch these videos:
First World Problems Read By Third World People
First World Problems
World On Fire
The problem with most people is that do not praise God for what they do have, they complain about what they do not have. Enjoy what the Lord has blest you with and be content. Learn these principles, study the Word, register for the Biblical Economics 101 course and/or buy some good bible based books on the subject.