NOV 25

Leviticus 27:30-33
Memorise 1 Samuel 15:22b
"...to obey is better than... sacrifice"

TITHES are the tenth of any of our increase, set apart for the Lord and thus must be returned to Him. In the Old Testament, tithes were for the Levites and priests who had no inheritance, unlike the other tribes (Numbers 18:23-24). In Nehemiah, when the Levites were not given their portion, they had no choice but to abandon God’s work and find work in the field to earn a living (Nehemiah 13:10). Similarly, today, tithes are for a local church’s general fund, to provide for full-time staff and God’s work in the local church and beyond.

OFFERINGS are anything in addition to our tithes, and are not mandatory. These can be thank offerings that believers give to specific ministries and individuals both within and without the local church.

Does it matter how much we tithe or where we tithe to? Would you rob God? (Malachi 3:8) Tithes should go to the local church a believer worships in. This is the church wherein the believer is ministered to and is blessed. If worshippers, even in a wealthy church, do not tithe to the general fund, choosing instead missions or specific ministries in the church, God’s labourers and certain ministries would be neglected. God is sovereign and has appointed leaders in the church such as the pastors, elders and deacons. Therefore, we should trust and submit to them. There are regular congregational meetings and elections where leaders are called to account as to how they have used God’s funds.

If we have been blessed by, or have a burden for a particular ministry or individual within or without the local church, we can express our thanksgiving and supply their need or encourage them in the form of an offering.

We serve a precise and Holy God and should worship Him with knowledge and understanding, and not in ignorance.

Thought: To obey is better than sacrifice.
Prayer: LORD, may my tithes and offerings be according to Your Word and acceptable and pleasing unto You.