September 17, 2017: Day 28 – Hebrews 7

So, let’s talk about tithing.  The author speaks about Melchizedek, and remember we referred back to him in previous chapters and said this story which is described is found in Genesis 14.   But here we find the emphasis on the fact that Abraham gave the priest a tithe, as it is commanded by the law.  I think this is crucial, and I am saying this not to raise funds for the church, but to give each person a real life example of how God can reveal Himself in your life.  We are commanded to give a tithe of what we bring home in regards to our financial income.  What that means specifically is that we are to give 10% of what we make, of what we bring home financially to the church.  Here are some Scriptures and then I’ll speak about tithing from a personal and, I hope, salutary way.

If you are interested in this topic read these Scriptures.  If you are not, just trust me that the Bible says that we should tithe.  Genesis 14:19-20, Genesis 28:20-22, Leviticus 27:30-34, Numbers 18:21, Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 12:5-6, Deuteronomy 14:22-29, II Chronicles 31:4-5, Nehemiah 10:35-37, Amos 4:4-5, Malachi 3:8-12.

We are speaking specifically about financial tithing here.  I have stories of when God provided to the penny for a need that we had and I attribute it directly to the fact that we have tithed.  I say this not as a recognition of righteousness on my part or on any else’s.  I say this as a recognition of God’s faithfulness.  Ever since I can remember my family has tithed.  I remember my grandmother, who was a missionary in the Congo, talk to me about tithing and how important it was.  I remember my mom speak to me about tithing when I got my first job, not even as a teenager.  

I cannot over emphasize the importance of tithing.  Jesus constantly speaks about money issues in the Bible.  But I tend to stay away from it because churches have gotten a reputation that all they care about is money.  So I stay away from that topic more than I speak about it.   But I think I am doing you a disservice as a result of that.  I should talk about it because when we turn over our worries and concerns over finances to the Lord, then so much changes in our life.  I am convinced that if everyone tithed then they would not have to worry about God providing.  God promises to meet our needs.  Notice I did not say that he promises to meet our wants.  He promises to meet our needs.  I trust that because God has met our needs time after time.