Rick Warren's Daily DevotionalSample

Why Should You Tithe?

We've all heard the word - TITHE - but what does it mean? Tithing means a tenth. From Abraham on down, people in the Bible would take the first 10 percent of their income and give it back to God. Why? Three reasons -

First, we tithe out of gratitude for the past. "God, I realize that everything I've achieved up to this point, anything I have, it all belongs to You anyway. I want to give 10 percent back to You as an act of gratefulness."

Second, we tithe to keep our priorities right in the present. It's a reminder that God is really first in my life. (Deuteronomy 14:23)

Third, we tithe as a statement of faith for the future. When I write out the check or give money, I'm saying, "God, You've taken care of me in the past and so I trust You. I'm giving you this as a demonstration of my faith in you."

In Malachi 3:10, God gives us a challenge: "Bring all the tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test Me in this," says the Lord, "and see if I won't throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing you will not have enough room for it." (NIV)

God is saying, "I dare you to put Me first in every area of your life including your finances and see if I don't bless you."