What If Everyone Tithed?

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES IF EVERY CHRISTIAN IN AMERICA TITHED TEN PERCENT OF THEIR INCOME?

We can imagine those possibilities through a recent CNN article about tithing.

The churches of the US last year received about $4 billion in donations. If the 112 million Americans who claim a religious affiliation had given one tenth — the traditional tithe — of their personal income to the churches, that total could have topped $25 billion.

It takes money to advance the kingdom of God in this world, yet, according to this article, the average Christian in America gives only $35.71 dollars to God’s work each year. And we wonder why America is straying so far from God.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 (KJV) “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Notice this verse reads the opposite of the way we think. We think that wherever our heart is, our treasure will be also, or whatever our passion is that is what we will support.

That is not what Jesus said and His ways are far above our ways.  ”For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”  Our heart will follow our treasure, what a revelation.

This is what commitment is all about: if we are committed to something, we do it whether or not our heart is in it.  Many times we give ourselves to a cause without feeling a love for it.  But the more we invest ourselves into that cause, the more our hearts are drawn into it.

If we begin to invest ourselves into the things of God, eventually our heart will follow.  This is what Jesus taught us!

Unfortunately America’s treasure is not where it ought to be; consequently neither is Americas heart. But if we, as Christians, could take hold of the principles of tithing by faith as Abraham did, we would change our nation.

Luke 6:38 (KJV):  ”Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Jesus said that we will receive in abundance if we will give in abundance. It is obvious in this context of writing that Jesus is talking about more then just money; He is also talking about our love for one another. A giving spirit should begin at the core of everything that we do.

Give of your love, your talent, your time, and your finances.

Jesus is not telling us to give to expect something in return, rather to give from a heart of love for him in obedience to His word.
The Lord addressed the topic of giving in relationship to how we should treat our enemies saying:

Luke 6:33 KJV – And if ye do good to them which do good to you,what thank have ye? For sinners also do the same.
And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive,what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners,to receive much again.
But love your enemies and do good and lend hoping for nothing again;and your reward shall be great,and ye shall be the children of the Highest. For he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful as your father is merciful.Judge not and ye shall not be judged Condemn not and ye shall not be condemned.Forgive and ye shall be forgiven,love your enemies and when you lend money hope for nothing in return and your reward shall be great. Show mercy and ye shall receive mercy.
Judge not and ye shall not be judged. Forgive and ye shall be forgiven. Lend money and hope for nothing in return.

JESUS UNDERSCORED THE SPIRIT BEHIND OUR GIVING AS WELL.

When we tithe, do we expect something back from God?  If so,we are not giving cheerfully, with the right spirit. We should always seek the giver and not the gift.  But when we truly give to God, or anybody else for that matter, with a true spirit of giving it will return in a much greater measure then it was given.

Some Christians tithe simply to receive a blessing, others withhold their tithe out of fear or a lack of faith that God will not bless them with more. Then there are the faithful few who simply obey God and give back what already belongs to him.

CONSIDER THE PREDICAMENT IN WHICH A MAN,LOST IN THE DESERT ,FOUND HIMSELF.

He went days without water and was about to die from dehydration. Suddenly he saw an oasis.  In it he found a water pump and a pail of water along side. A sign on the pump said “USE THE WATER IN THE PAIL TO PRIME THE PUMP.” Our friend faced the dilemma of immediately drinking the water in the pail or using the water to prime the pump and receive an abundance of the precious liquid.

What would you do in that situation? Would you obey and prime the pump, or immediately consume the much needed water?

When we give with an obedient attitude, we can expect more then just a cup of water. WE CAN EXPECT AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY THAT LASTS.

By David Church