The tithe belongs to God (Leviticus 27:30).

The tithe is one-tenth of a person’s income. The word tithe means tenth. It belongs to God; we have no right to keep it. When we tithe, we are not giving a gift — we are returning to God what is already His. Unless we return one-tenth of our income to God, we are not tithing (Numbers 18:21).

He asks us to bring the tithe into His storehouse (Malachi 3:10).

In Malachi 3:10, God calls the storehouse His house, meaning His temple, or church. Nehemiah 13:12,13 points out that the tithe was brought to the temple treasury — God’s storehouse. In Old Testament times, God’s people brought 10 percent of all their increase, including crops and animals, to the storehouse.

These passages show that both Abraham and Jacob, who lived long before Moses, tithed their income (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). So God’s plan of tithing is not limited to Moses’ law and applies to all people of all times.

The tithe in Old Testament days was used to support the priests. The tribe of Levi (the priests) received no land inheritance as the other 11 tribes did, but worked at the temple and ministered to God’s people. So God’s plan was for tithes to support the priests and their families (Numbers 18:21).

No. He continued it, and today His plan is for the tithe to support those who work solely in gospel ministry. If everyone tithed and the tithe were used strictly to support gospel workers, there would be more than enough to reach the whole world very quickly with God’s message (1 Corinthians 9:13,14).

No. On the contrary, Jesus endorsed it. He rebuked the Jews for neglecting the weightier matters of the law — justice, mercy, and faith — even though they were meticulous tithers. Then He plainly told them to keep tithing while also being just, merciful, and faithful (Matthew 23:23).

God invites us to test Him and promises to pour out such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10). This is the only place in the Bible where God makes such a proposal. He is saying, “Give it a try — it will work, I promise.” Hundreds of thousands of faithful tithers around the world testify to the truth of this promise: you can’t out-give God.

Jesus, our heavenly High Priest, receives our tithe (Hebrews 7:8).

They took what God said was not theirs. God gave Adam and Eve the fruit of all the trees of Eden except one — the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16,17). They did not trust God, ate the fruit, and fell. Today God gives us His riches, asking only a tenth of our income (Leviticus 27:30). He does not take it by force but says, “Don’t take that. It is holy. It is Mine.” When we knowingly take God’s tithe for our own use, we repeat the sin of Adam and Eve and display a lack of trust in our Redeemer.

The Lord asks us to bring offerings for His work as an expression of our love for Him and thanksgiving for His blessings (Psalm 96:8).

The Bible does not specify a set amount for offerings. Each person decides, as God impresses, how much to give and then gives it cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).

A. First, we should give ourselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5). B. Give God our best (Proverbs 3:9). C. God blesses the generous giver (Proverbs 11:24,25). D. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). E. God returns more than we give (Luke 6:38). F. Give in proportion to how God has prospered us (1 Corinthians 16:2). G. Give as we are able (Deuteronomy 16:17).

A. All the silver and gold in the world (Haggai 2:8). B. The earth and all who live on it (Psalm 24:1). C. The world and everything in it (Psalm 50:10–12). But He permits people to use His great riches and gives them the wisdom and power to prosper (Deuteronomy 8:18). In return, He asks only that we return 10 percent as our acknowledgment of His investment in our affairs, plus offerings as an expression of love and gratitude.

He refers to them as robbers. Can you imagine people stealing from God? Scripture asks whether anyone can rob God and accuses the people of stealing tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8).

A curse will rest on them, and they will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Malachi 3:9; 1 Corinthians 6:10).

Because our heart follows our investments (Luke 12:34). If our focus is on accumulating more and more, the heart becomes covetous, discontent, and proud. But if the focus is on sharing and helping God’s work, the heart becomes caring, loving, and humble. Covetousness is one of the terrible sins of the last days that will shut people out of heaven (2 Timothy 3:1–7).

He probably feels much as parents do when a child steals money from them. The money itself is not the big thing; it is the child’s lack of integrity, love, and trust that deeply hurts (Hebrews 3:10).

Paul asked the Macedonian churches to set aside funds for the famine-stricken saints in Jerusalem. Their response (2 Corinthians 8) is heartening: A. First, they rededicated their lives to Jesus (verse 5). B. Though in deep poverty themselves, they gave beyond their ability (verses 2,3). C. They urged Paul to come and collect their gifts (verse 4). D. Their gifts followed Jesus’ sacrificial example (verse 9).

God promises to bless His faithful stewards, and they will be a blessing to those around them (Malachi 3:10–12). Among the blessings: A. your nine-tenths with His blessing will go further than your whole income without it. B. Blessings are not always financial — they may include health, peace, answered prayers, protection, a loving family, and wise decisions. C. He becomes your Partner in everything.