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The Principle of the Tithe Wayne Cordeiro  Did you know that the Bible speaks more about money and finances than it does about heaven and hell? The way we spend money reveals a lot about who we are. In fact, money exposes our deepest thoughts and desires and reveals our hearts. As the Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). God checks our spiritual health by checking where we spend our money. This quickly reveals where we're spending our affections and attention. The Bible tells us: “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim. 6:9-10). The Scriptures accurately warn us that the love of money is the root of all evil. God knows all-too-well that if money is where your heart is centered, it will steal, kill and destroy you. If the love of money is the driving force of your life, then you will cut corners, compromise, take shortcuts and set aside your faith. You'll do whatever it takes to get more.  The first thing God does in making sure we're connected to life is to make sure we're giving. Giving is connected to life as a tree is connected to its roots—it tells us where we're drawing our source and our livelihood. God has to get to the root to make sure our hearts are drawing from the right source. That's how He kills off toxic roots from poisoning our life and positions our hearts for eternal things.
How does God position our hearts? One way is when we cooperate with Him. You'll overcome what some consider to be the greatest glitter of life—the world's riches—and instead trade it for something far more valuable. God says, “I want to open the windows of heaven, but you'll have to cooperate.” You might ask, “How do I cooperate?” His answer is found in His Word: “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” (Mal. 3:10). The essence of giving, and its value to us as believers, is seen in this verse: God asks us to give not because He needs, but because through giving He is able to give us so much more! We trade earthly finances for eternal treasures. God values giving because it reconnects us to the storehouses of heaven, His throne room! God teaches us how giving connects to life. He begins by realigning us and transforming our hearts, giving us new insights, changing old attitudes and patterns in our lives so we're able to walk in the right path, the path of blessing.  If we allow circumstances to control our giving, then they can become lord in our lives. That's a heart issue that needs to change. God wants us to trust His Word in every matter—and that begins with giving. Then He'll be able to teach us who really is Lord in our lives. If you want God to bless your life, honor Him first—that's the principle of the tithe, giving the first 10% of our income to the Lord. We have a loving Father who says to test Him on this. See if He won't flood your life with unimaginable blessings beyond your greatest dreams. Let the Lord speak to you because you'll see it has less to do with money and a lot more to do with life. God may use this as a check-up. Invite Him to do that! |
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