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UNDERSTANDING TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Why do you give? Is it because you feel duty bound, responding to the loudest, emotion-laden, most persistent appeals? Or do you give because the Holy Spirit inspires you to participate in the ministry where lives are being transformed? Does it excite you to experience and see others experience the reality of God with peace, joy, love, healing and health, and victorious and abundant life?
Tithes and offerings are an important part of the Christian walk if we desire to be linked up with God’s Love, Power, and His Infinite Resources. Being united with the Giving ONE, we express His Nature in the act of giving so that we can enter into the flow of God’s supply, receiving more and giving again. Thus, the cycle will enlarge progressively.
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PREPARATION FOR TITHING AND OFFERING PRAYER
(Offerings Are Anything Above 10%)
God’s blessings are not automatic. We are commanded to verbalize the “tithing and offering prayer” (Deut. 26:5) and exercise our faith for God’s increase of provision. The following has been written as a sample prayer based on the Word of God: (Deut. 26; Deut. 28:1-14; Malachi 3:10; Mark 10:29, 30; Mark 11:24; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-10; Col. 1:13).
You may have been faithful in giving, but without a “tithing” prayer like this, it is incomplete. Therefore, you are cheating yourself of the potential blessings God intended for you.
Follow the Spirit behind each expression and not just the words. Acknowledge the real Source of all your supplies (Deut. 8:17, 18) which are not man or organizations. They are just channels God uses.
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PRAYER
Speak aloud:
My Heavenly Father, I come to YOU in the name of Jesus with thanksgiving and praise for WHO YOU ARE and what great things YOU have done and are doing in my life. I profess this day unto YOU that I have come into the inheritance which YOU swore to give us. In the past, I was in darkness, under Satan’s reign; but, I called upon the Name of the Lord Jesus and YOU heard my cry and delivered me from the power of darkness and transferred me into the Kingdom of YOUR DEAR SON.
Dear Lord Jesus, my Great High Priest, I bring the first fruits of my income to YOU to honor your Name and worship the Father God. I rejoice in doing my part in spreading the Gospel to the unsaved and feeding Your children with Your precious Word, and I claim the equal share of your rewards with________________ (Church or Ministry) ________________ according to Your Word (I Samuel 30: 24, 25). I also expect overflowing supply from YOU, through the channels and means YOU choose as you bring the abundant harvest from the seeds I have planted and am planting now.
Heavenly Father, You also said You would rebuke the devourer for my sake. Since the Name of Jesus is the Name above every name, and the Power of attorney is granted unto me, I rebuke the thief and the devourer of my harvest, in the Name of Jesus. They are rebuked, rendered powerless and inoperative in my life, in the Almighty Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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30, 60, 100 FOLD RETURN
(Information and Instruction)
Biblically speaking, what you receive will always be greater than what you give, according to the degree your soul is prospering (3 John 2), provided that you follow God’s principles (Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8; Joshua 1:8; Matt 6:33; Mark 10:29, 30).
According to the Holy Scripture, tithes (10% of your income) belong to God (your obligation). This money goes to the High Priest System (in the New Covenant context, this includes the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers). They are the ones who are charged by God to help the flock (believers) to:
1. Multiply (reach the unsaved).
2. Feed on the Spiritual food (the Word of God) to grow and mature.
3. Learn to minister unto the Lord (Ezek. 44:12-16).
4. Overcome the onslaughts of the enemy (the “thief” who came to steal, to kill, and to destroy –John 10:10).
5. Be healed in the soul to bring the spirit, soul, and body into alignment, which is the key to all of the other good things to be released into your life.
Your tithe will be effective in direct proportion to your local church’s faithfulness in doing all of the above.
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FOLLOWING THE PRINCIPLES 0F OFFERINGS
(A) God’s point of view:
God is waiting to bless you exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think (Eph. 3:20), so that He can establish His covenant with you (Deut. 8:17, 18) – for the furtherance of His Kingdom here on earth.
(B) Man’s point of view:
Choose according to the measure you purpose in your heart (Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8).
(1) Ask the Lord Jesus, the High Priest, how much to invest (plant seeds) into the Kingdom of God.
(2) Expect the harvest time to come 30, 60, 100 fold (not %) in this life, depending on the *soil condition (what you allow to be there – Mark 4:13-20). If the ground is not “good”, it may produce no harvest!
(3) As you receive the increased return, plant a greater measure the next time for a greater harvest. Regular planting is important.
NOTE:
(1) Farmers don’t plant seeds today and expect the harvest tomorrow. It usually takes time (we have seen God’s miracles of immediate return, but we should not be presumptuous).
(2) Take care of the soil* (take weeds and rocks out, fertilize, water, drive out birds and locusts, etc.) This corresponds to your heart (“the inner man” = spirit and soul).
*Soil (or ground) is the topology used for the “heart” in the parable.
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