Tithing: What does the Bible Teach (Often used to 'fleece the flock')

A short study by Henry G. Sheppard

What does God say?

You cannot ‘give’ to God. As the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, He already owns everything. Your life—the very beating of your heart—is itself a gift from God.

The earth is the Lord’s, and every thing in it, the world, and all who live in it… (Psalm 24:1).

Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God, I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it (Psalm 50:7-12).

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:8).

“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” (Romans 11:35).

This rhetorical question is given no answer, because the answer is obvious. You cannot give to God with any expectation that God will end up being in debt to you.

There is a law of sowing and reaping and there are rewards for good works. But, contrary to the teachings of the prosperity crowd, you cannot act so as to place God in your debt.

God created the universe. He sustains it by the word of His power. He doesn’t need your money, and He doesn’t want your money. What God wants is you, and He wants you with a right attitude.