4 Heart Attitudes in Tithing

What comes to mind when you hear the word tithing? 

Setting apart 10% of our income for God? An obligation? A willingness that feels required? Whatever it is, for some of us, giving a tithe can feel less than pleasant.

When blessings flow freely, giving 10% back to God may feel easy. But when life is in the middle of struggle? If we may be honest, perhaps there are times when we think we could use it for something else. Or it may be that the greater our income, the greater the tithe feels. Has something like this ever crossed your heart?

It is very human for us to have thought this way. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with learning again about tithing. Because in truth, tithing is something beautiful. When done rightly, it helps us grow in spirituality. With the right attitude of heart, we can have a right view of money and also of God.

Why Do I Need to Tithe?

We may think we already know the answer. But there is nothing wrong with looking at the reasons once again.

The command to give a tenth of one’s possessions is first recorded in Leviticus 27: 30-32. It says, “Likewise every tithe offering from the land, whether from the seed of the land or from the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”

a tenth of the produce of the fields and the livestock “belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” 

At that time, the purpose was tosupport the tribe of Levi, who had no inherited land (Numbers 18:21). In addition, it was also so that the Israelites would learn to see God as the provider, the giver of blessings. In Deuteronomy 14:23 it is written,

“Before the LORD your God, in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your new wine and your oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, so that you may learn always to fear the LORD your God.””

If we reflect on it, the tithe is used to support the work of God and also reminds us that God is the One who gives blessings. A very good reason for our spirituality, isn’t it?

Why Is the Attitude of the Heart Important in giving tithes?

So then, is simply giving enough? It turns out it is not.

God once rebuked the Israelites because even though they gave offerings, they did not have the right attitude of heart. 

It is written in Isaiah 1:13, “Stop bringing offerings that are not sincere, because their smell is detestable to Me. When you celebrate the New Moon and Sabbath or hold assemblies, I cannot endure it, because your festivals are full of evil.

God does not merely want your offering. He wants the attitude of heart and character that please Him in giving. After all, that gift is directed to Him. Does God actually need our giving? But it is our attitude of heart that becomes an offering pleasing to Him.

Surely we have heard the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who died because they were not honest in their giving (Acts. 5:1- 11). This couple thought their gift was what mattered. In fact, their honesty and their attitude of heart mattered far more. They might have been able to deceive people, but not God. Who would have thought that offense would have such fatal consequences. 

Of course their story was not written to frighten us into giving. Surely through this story God wants to show how important our attitude of heart in giving is to Him. Let us not give in order to receive appreciation or praise from others. Let us also not be dishonest in our giving or give reluctantly. We need to give willingly and joyfully. 

Come, today let us take time to reflect again and correct our attitude of heart when giving. Including when giving tithes.

Giving Tithes with the Right Attitude of Heart

So then, what kind of attitude of heart is pleasing in God’s sight when giving? Here are some important ones for us to have:

1. Joy

First of all, God wants anyone who gives an offering to do so with joy.

The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

So, joy is the first attitude you need to have in giving. But how? One thing we always need to remember is that all our possessions come from God. The tithe is proof of our gratitude to Him. 

The tithe is a form of gratitude that you offer for the goodness of God. 

2.   Sincere

Do we give so that God will repay us with even more? Or do we give only because we want to glorify Him?

In Matthew 6: 1-4, Jesus reminded His listeners to give without hidden motives or intentions. Verses 3-4 say, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Let your giving be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

We give tithes because we want to glorify God from our income. Whatever reward God will give is entirely God’s right. Therefore, before giving let us all examine our hearts and make sure of our sincerity .

3.   Consistent

If God blesses you without fail, it is only fitting that we continue giving thanks to Him also without fail.

As He says in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me in this, says the LORD of hosts, whether I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing until it overflows.”

We indeed must not give expecting a reward, but God Himself has promised to pour out His blessings. This is good material for reflection for us. Has God ever failed to sustain us all this time?

If not, then the tithe should become a habit. A lifestyle of Jesus’disciples Driven by overflowing gratitude to God, the tithe is no longer an obligation. Rather, it is an opportunity to glorify God.

Giving from the Heart

It is not about how much we give, but about how much love we pour into our giving. How great our love for God is when giving tithes. That is what we must always ask ourselves. 

Have we given because we truly love Him? When we give with the right attitude of heart, we will see His blessings overflowing in our lives more and more clearly. Amen. -  Related Articles:

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• It’s All about Money: Watch Out for 3 Signs of Being a Slave to Money
• Wise like Ants: Manage Money with the Right Strategy
• Thanksgiving: Learning to Understand God’s Blessings

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