Tithing principles are deeply rooted in biblical teaching, emphasizing the importance of giving back to God a portion of what He has blessed us with. In Malachi 3:10, the Lord invites His people to "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," He challenges, underscoring the faithfulness of God in providing for our needs. Tithing is not merely a financial obligation but an act of worship and trust, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where Paul instructs believers to give not reluctantly or under compulsion, for "God loves a cheerful giver." Furthermore, in Matthew 6:21, Jesus teaches that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also, highlighting the spiritual significance of our financial commitments. The principle of tithing also reflects the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over all aspects of our lives, as stated in Deuteronomy 14:22-23, which encourages us to set aside a tenth of our produce to learn to revere the Lord. Ultimately, the act of tithing serves as a reminder of God's provision and our responsibility to support the work of the ministry, fostering a spirit of generosity and gratitude in our hearts.
Arthur Vess emphasizes the danger of using the tithe for personal needs and then returning it, leading to a path of backsliding from tithing and grace. He highlights that the tithe belongs to God's storehouse, the Church, and questions whether permission was sought from God and the Church before bor