The Lord gives us the responsibility to manage the resources He gives to us. He has set up a system to constantly remind us of His ownership in everything. This systematic way to give back to God is a first step to allowing our resources to be used for God’s kingdom. It is called the tithe. 

The word tithe is first mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 

Note that it was after a victory…after God had delivered Abram’s enemies in to his hands that he tithed. So pay attention if you want victory in your finances. Sometimes Christians think the tithe is an old testament legalism, but no, Abram tithed to Melchizedek before the law was instituted and Jesus affirmed tithing, even after he replace the law.  It is a biblical principle that will allow you to prosper.

This principle was included in the law. The Israelites were required to give one-tenth of all their income to the Lord. The Hebrew word for tithe means a tenth part. This tithe (10%) opens up a way for God to pour out His blessings on us. Every time we give our tithes, we are reminded that all of our money and earthly possessions belong to God. We are simply stewards responsible for what the Lord has given us.

 Alan Vincent gives the example of someone who came to him saying, “I can’t afford to tithe and make my house payments. Alan told him to tithe in faith and if he couldn’t pay his house payment then Alan would cover it. The young man started to tithe and he never came back to Alan because he couldn’t make the payment. In fact, Alan observed that he received a promotion and a new car. God still wants us to tithe today.