Principles of Tithing

Many believers desire God’s blessings, favor, wisdom, and provisions, but they never embrace one of the basic principles of stewardship – the tithe. As we enter this new season, called Next-Level Giving, every believer is encouraged to take the next step in their journey. But we must first identify our next step in relationship to stewardship and actually do it. The tithe means the tenth part, and it is God’s starting point. Our challenge is not mathematics, it is obedience. Tithing is not about money, it’s about lordship. It reveals who truly owns our lives, our resources, and our future.

“We will trust God with what belongs to Him!” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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THE PRINCIPLES OF TITHING

Tithing Is Not Under the Law, It Is Before the Law
Genesis 14:18-20 (NKJV)

Tithing pre-dates the law, and Abram was before Moses. In Abram’s case, tithing did not begin as a legal requirement; it began as an act of gratitude and worship. But even if tithing was under the law, Jesus came to fulfill the law and raised the bar. Ask yourself, “Do I view tithing as an obligation or an act of worship? Have I allowed the culture to shape my view of giving more than scripture? Am I looking for reasons to obey God or reasons to avoid obedience?” The challenge is to decide whether our giving is an expression of love and not just some obligation and financial transaction.

 

The Tithe Is Holy Unto the Lord
Leviticus 27: 28 & 30 (NKJV)

The tithe is the devoted offering given to God exclusively and irrevocably. It is holy whether we give it or not because it already belongs to God. We don’t decide whether it is holy, God has already decided that. We should honor Him with what He has already declared as holy and His. Many people budget God into whatever remains after the expenses are paid. But scripture teaches the opposite, that God receives the first and the best. We need to stop treating the tithe as discretionary spending and begin treating it as a sacred trust.

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The Tithe Supports the Work of God’s House
Numbers 18:21, 24 (NKJV)

When we tithe, we participate in ministry beyond ourselves. Everything is strengthened through faithful stewardship through the tithe. The question is, “What are we doing for the next – for the future?” When we tithe, we make a difference.”

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“Imagine what we could do if everybody tithed?” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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Tithing Teaches Fear Of the Lord and Establishes Wisdom In Us
Deuteronomy 14:22 (NKJV).

When we begin to tithe, the natural mind says, “I only have 90 percent. How am I going to make it on 90 percent?” But God can do more through us and for us with the 90 percent than we can do with the 100 percent. There must be a reverent fear and honoring of God (obedience) with the tithe. If we obey God, we can trust Him to take care of us. We need to learn the fear of the Lord because money will try to be our Lord; it will compete for our heart. One way to put money in its place is to give the tithe and make it serve God. Tithing trains us to put God first. Every time we tithe, we‘re saying, “God, I trust you. You are more than what’s in my bank account.”

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The Tithe Releases God to Rebuke the Devourer For Us
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)

Sometimes the greatest blessing is not what’s added, but what God prevents. We don’t know what God has kept us from. We must stop viewing the tithe as only something that leaves our hands but begin viewing it through the lens of God’s protection.

 

The Tithe Is Part Of the Basics
Matthew 23:23 (NJKV)

In God’s eyes, justice, mercy, and faith are the weightier matters. But tithing is not spiritual maturity; it is one of the building blocks. So, we need to tithe consistently to build a strong foundation. Tithing is the foundation of biblical stewardship.
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“Tithing is not God trying to take something from you. It’s Him trying to teach you to trust Him.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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The next level begins with the next step.