How do we handle our finances in Godly way? God has principles and foundations as to how we handle our money in a Godly way. Jesus spoke more about money and finances than He did about prayer and fasting. If Jesus spoke about this so frequently, it’s key that we take note of it. God regards the way we handle money as a heart issue. God equates the way we handle money with the amount of heavenly riches He can entrust to us.
10 He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? 13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).
Luke 16:10-13
If you can be trusted with the little, you will be trusted with more. To the degree we honour God with our finances, will determine the degree of fullness we experience of Him. God is concerned about your heart (what you value and prioritise).
9 Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income; 10 So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
Firstfruit refers to your tithe which 10% of your income. The principle of tithing was established by Abram.
16 And he brought back all the goods and also brought back his kinsman Lot and his possessions, the women also and the people. 17 After his [Abram’s] return from the defeat and slaying of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, that is, the King’s Valley. 18 Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the priest of God Most High, 19 And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth, 20 And blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High, Who has given your foes into your hand! And [Abram] gave him a tenth of all [he had taken]. [Heb. 7:1-10.]
Genesis 14:15-20|
Giving your tithe is a privilege. We don’t have to give to God, we get to give to Him. It’s a delight. The principle of tithing was established before the law was given. It is our response of worship to Him for what He has and is doing in our lives. But here’s the thing, God doesn’t just want 10%, He wants all of us. Its not about Rands and cents, it’s about our lives. Tithing is not a money issue it’s a heart issue.
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.
Leviticus 27:30
Not only is our tithe His, but it is also holy. It needs to be set apart and sacred. Holy things are not to be touched – they are to be revered. If we want to be blessed according to God’s way, then we need to handle our finances in a Godly way. God is really concerned with what you do with the first 10% of your income.
3 things the tithe does in our lives
- Teaches us to put God first
- Builds our faith
- Provides for the work of God’s house
Bring this tithe to eat before the Lord your God at the place He shall choose as His sanctuary; this applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.
Deuteronomy 14:23
When you put God first, everything else falls in to place.
