“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 (HCSB)
God makes some big promises about when we give. Jesus said God will bless and give as we give, pouring it out in our lap! God goes even further with His promises. When we tithe He promises to rebuke the devourer from operating in our life! That is a promise I definitely want exercised! A tithe is a percentage, not an amount. A tithe represents one tenth. A dime is a tithe of a dollar. A hundred dollars is a tithe of a grand! A tithe is meant to go to the storehouse, that is, where we are being fed. The tithe is different from an offering. The tithe is a mathematical figure, whereas an offering is a prompting. A tithe is a monthly amount based on one’s income, whereas an offering can be based on a need, a passion, a concern, a vision, etc.… If you are not yet generously giving, let alone tithing, please do whatever it takes to get there. Be diligent about it. You cannot out give God! This is a command and not an option. You will be blessed by your obedience. We are told to bring the whole tithe in. Both God and the enemy knows what you make. When you are not tithing, you are in disobedience, and thus you open yourself up to the devourer. You can pray and rebuke the enemy all you want, but unless you are tithing, the enemy has permission (granted by your disobedience) to operate in your life. But when you tithe, God says He will throw open the floodgates and pour out so much blessing that you cannot contain it. Even others will see God’s blessing on your life as a tither (see Malachi 3:8-12).
Ask God if you are tithing properly. Honestly it is pretty straight forward. Figure out how much is ten percent of your income and give it to the Lord, first in prayer then in the plate (or mail or online, however). Ask Him to grant you the grace, faith and courage to obey His command no matter what. This is a test with a huge reward, but understand it does require faith. Thank Him for the faith He will give and the blessings He will pour out. Though you don’t give to get, your obedience moves God’s hand. Thank Him for that promise – to rebuke the devourer, to pour out so much blessing you won’t be able to contain it, and to make that blessing so evident to others that they would call you blessed!
