The scripture that answers this question is Malachi 3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Clearly the Word of God says that the type of sowing that results in overflowing blessing is tithing.

Now the windows of Heaven are very, very large. We know this because these same windows are also mentioned in Genesis 7:11 and through them came much of the water that flooded the entire earth in the time of Noah. Therefore, we can interpret that for those who will tithe, the blessing God wants to pour out in return is so significant it can be compared to covering the whole Earth. Moreover, by virtually daring us to test Him, God is guaranteeing that overflowing abundance will be the result. It should be apparent then that the Lord is prepared to make tithing a rewarding endeavor to whoever will take Him up on His offer!

A tithe is defined as one-tenth of one’s increase and it is given to God in gratitude for all that He does in one’s life. You give the tithe by sowing into God’s work, usually your local church, or into some other ministry, if you are temporarily unchurched, according to God’s leading and direction. The Hebrew word for storehouse in this scripture can also be translated treasure house which was the place in the local assembly (tabernacle, temple or synagogue) where funds were received on God’s behalf. Storehouse can also mean the place from which you are fed, in other words the place where you receive spiritual food. Wherever the tithe is sowed, the understanding of the one who sows it should be that he/she is giving directly to God and that He will return an overflowing blessing according to the sower’s faith. The receiving ministry is merely a steward accountable to God from the moment the seed leaves the giver’s possession to use it carefully and in accordance with the Lord’s plan and direction.

It is also important to know that the tithe is given first, off-the-top before spending or using the rest of one’s provision, in order to put God first in the disbursement process. Indeed, one of the principal purposes God has for the tithe is to help us establish and maintain correct priorities in life instead of allowing the flesh to take over and dictate unrighteous priorities where we put ourselves first. As we are faithful to tithe even when the flesh is protesting, we will eventually come to the point where we are placing God first in everything. He and His Kingdom will have then become our highest priority and our flesh will have been forced to bow to the authority of Christ.

Many Christians who don’t tithe use the reasoning that tithing was part of the Law which is no longer applicable now that we are to live by faith. The truth is tithing started long before Moses received the Law. The first person in scripture to give an actual tenth was Abram (Genesis 14:20) and he did so voluntarily out of gratitude for what the Lord had done in his life. The descendents of Abraham continued to give a tenth and as a result all of them including Abraham prospered. Thus, many hundreds of years before the Law of Moses, tithing was already a popular system of biblical giving and rewarding. The Law merely incorporated an existing and well-established practice.

We can see in the Scriptures that from the beginning God had a high regard for the tithe. In Genesis 14:20, Abram gave the first tithe to Melchizedek the king of Salem (later Jerusalem) who was also a Priest of God Most High (14:18). Abram gave the tithe on all the spoils of the victory God had given him but on that same occasion He also made God his sole Provider and returned all the remaining spoils (except for a share that went to his principal leaders) to the King of Sodom (14:22-24). It is clear that Abram knew by faith, he was confident, that God would provide for his needs. In the very next chapter, immediately following this incident, God told Abram that his reward for what he had done would be very great (15:1). God was ready then BEFORE the Law to reward someone for tithing just as He is now AFTER the Law. As it turned out Abraham was blessed many times over and became the “father of many nations.”

Other Believers who don’t tithe use the reasoning that the requirement for tithing was done away with under the New Covenant. But Abram and his descendents tithed because they were grateful and loved God, not because of some requirement. The Law made the tithe a requirement but now that the Law has been fulfilled, does it not seem wise to revert back to the voluntary practice Abram initiated long before the Law since God has already demonstrated His willingness to reward it? There is no statement in the New Testament that tells to forget tithing or to substitute some other system of giving. In fact, Jesus endorsed tithing in Matthew 22:23 and Luke 11:42 when He had a perfect opportunity to cancel, replace or at least challenge it. In Luke 18:12 Jesus had another opportunity to discredit tithing but He didn’t.

Additionally, in Hebrews 7:1-22 the writer shows us that Jesus became high priest “after” (according to) the order of Melchizedek and that their priesthood has had a continuous flow from before the Law of Moses into eternity. Since tithing existed before the Law and was connected to a continuous and never-ending priesthood that Jesus is High Priest over, how can it be said that the practice of voluntary tithing somehow lost its favor and power when Believers moved into the New Covenant?

We should also consider that most Christians are quick to believe that the Blessing of Abraham has come to them by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:14). But, is it logical that a blessing originally given as a reward for tithing be fully manifested now in the lives of Believers who resist tithing? Do you have a better system of giving to follow? Some say their giving is led by the Spirit instead of such an antiquated system as tithing. But on what basis can they release their faith that their gift has been adequate and pleasing to God? How can they test the spirits or the Word to ensure they have correctly heard from the Lord for their giving? And what is their expectation, their hope, for how the Lord will respond to their giving? Will He open the windows of Heaven?

One of the greatest reasons to tithe is because it is one of the keys to experiencing biblical prosperity in every area of life: spirit, soul and body. Indeed, we submit for your consideration today that it really isn’t possible to come into that overflowing blessing we have been talking about unless you start from the practice of voluntary tithing. In addition, there are several other good reasons we should strongly consider:

1. Voluntary tithing is a proven biblical way to show God our gratitude and express our love just as Abram did. If you do what you see in the Word, you can’t go wrong.
2. Voluntary tithing removes a degree of uncertainty from our giving because we can be assured that God will be pleased with our gift.
3. As noted previously, voluntary tithing helps us learn to put God first in our lives because by definition we are required to give to Him before we make any other disbursements.
4. As also noted previously, voluntary tithing helps us learn to overcome the flesh. Since our flesh does not like for us to give money to God that we could consume on ourselves, tithing leads us to deny the flesh.
5. Voluntary tithing establishes a basis for faith as we stand on the promises of the Word that God will open the Windows of Heaven and pour out an overflowing blessing. Believers need to take care to always tithe in faith.
6. Voluntary tithing pays the ministers in our local churches. If we take care of God’s ministers and see to their needs, God is sure to bless those who have blessed His laborers.

Tithing still opens the windows of Heaven and in order to experience the full manifestation of biblical prosperity, you must be a tithing Believer. Tithing should not be viewed as just an out-of-date Old Testament practice; it is just as appropriate for New Covenant Believers as it was for those under the Old Covenant.

But since we don’t live under the Law, tithing should not be a “requirement” of Christian life. God prefers that we tithe voluntarily, in gratitude for what He has done, by faith and with a spirit of cheerfulness (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). Above all we are to walk in love to fulfill the commandments of Christ (Matthew 22:36-40) and make ourselves eligible for the fullness of God’s reward.

Finally, tithing should never be seen as a limitation that restricts us from the cheerful sowing of bountiful offerings that God leads us to give over and above the tithe. Malachi 3:8-9 talks about both tithes and offerings before coming to the promises we have discussed in this article.

Friend, if you have financial trouble in your life that keeps you from tithing, please contact this Ministry and we’ll be glad to help you develop an appropriate financial strategy. If there are other reasons that have kept you from tithing, may the Holy Spirit show you the Truth today so you will soon come to enjoy the fullness of His prosperity in every area of your life. God bless you and we’ll see you again in three weeks.

If you have never invited Jesus to become the Lord of your life, you can do so today by saying the following simple prayer: Jesus I believe in you and I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me for my sins and come into my life today.

If you were sincere as you prayed this prayer, God has already come into your life and you are a new creation. Congratulations! Now ask the Lord to lead you to a bible teaching church where you can be developed to fulfill your potential in the Kingdom of God. And please send us an e-mail advising your decision so we can rejoice with you in our prayers. If you’re unable to find a church, give us a call and we’ll try to help you find a good one.

It would bless us to have an opportunity to answer your questions concerning any of the financial areas covered by this ministry. We would also be happy to consider your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to e-mail them to us or give us a call anytime during normal business hours at our toll free number 1-800-357-4223.

If you have been blessed and edified by Prosperous Life Newsletter, please pray about making a Spirit-led love offering to support the work of the Ministry (Galatians 6:6-7). PLN is a non profit [501(c)(3)] gift to the Body of Christ so your financial gifts are tax deductible (please consult your tax advisor). You may mail your check or money order payable to Cornerstone Consulting Ministries to 10621 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 113, Miami, Florida 33176 or click on the donation tab for other payment options. May God bless you with His abundant harvest from sowing your precious seed into this Ministry.

Part One - Defining Biblical Prosperity
Part Two - The Authority of God's Word
Part Three - God Must Be Our Source
Part Four - God Can Only Do Good
Part Five - The Role of Love
Part Six - How to Walk in Love
Part Seven - The Role of Faith
Part Eight - The Source of Faith
Part Nine - The Force of Faith
Part Ten - How To Walk By Faith
Part Eleven - The Law of Sowing and Reaping
Part Twelve - The Role of Cheerful Giving
Part Thirteen - Opening the Windows of Heaven