Tithing is an important scriptural teaching.

Abraham took a tenth of everything he had to Melchizedek, his source of spiritual education and nurture. Our sense of this tenth is that it may well have included grain, meat, wool, etc., as well as currency.

    Tithing is best done before we pay our bills or other responsibilities. It needs to be the "first and best" of whatever comes in. Language from ancient Israel -- even the name of a holy season or "feast" -- is "First Fruits." It follows Passover. Yeshua (Jesus) came along and became the "first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." A deeper look at this phrase from I Corinthians would be a "message" in itself.

    Of course for those who are facing foreclosure or in other ways "upside down" in their finances, the idea of tithing can seem like a waste of time or a fairy tale. Or even be antagonizing.

    But there are folks who know for sure that tithing is the very thing that will lift people out of debt.

    Over and over again in Scripture we see God requiring that His servants give first -- often before they had much to give. The concept of "seed" as representing our tithe is tied to the story of Isaac's "planting seed in famine." He was repaid with a hundredfold harvest. We are also told that God will "give seed to the sower." As we demonstrate faithfulness in tithing, "seed" can come to us in wonderful ways. God gives to us when He knows that He can bless others through us.

    Even though Scripture tells us clearly not to "put God to the test," there is one very noticeable exception to this instruction in Malachi 3:10.

    Regarding tithing, we are told "Prove me now says the LORD, if I will not open for you the windows of Heaven, and pour out a blessing so generous that there will not be room enough to receive it!" (When "Lord" is capped like this, it means God [Yahweh].)

    If one were in exceedingly difficult circumstances, s/he could begin with five percent or even two percent of everything that comes in. And it's important to remember that if we are not in a position to tithe at all -- we can still tithe our time and/or talent in service.

    But those who have taken to heart the highly exceptional words in Malachi that almost read like a dare -- but are given more in the spirit of a promise -- and done what they perceived to be God's will -- will tell you that the One who made this promise delivers -- all of the time.

    Tithing results not only in lifting us from the pit of financial debt -- it then takes us on to real prosperity. As God sees that we mean business with regard to right intentions financially, we are prospered. Again, Scripture puts it that God "gives seed to the sower." This speaks of right stewardship.

    A related scriptural teaching, in Yeshua's words, is that S/he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. In this same parable Jesus reminded us that everything belongs to God. This awareness is at the heart of tithing. Talent and "goods" are all gifts from God in the first place. We only give Him what is already His! This awareness also brings us to the concept of stewardship.

    Another scriptural passage indicates that we are to give according to our prosperity. In other words, when we have been exponentially or supernaturally blessed, we have the opportunity of giving well beyond the "tenth" spoken of as tithing. Some tithe up to 50 percent of their revenues; others give "offerings" well beyond the tithe or tenth. What a joy it is to find ourselves in this position.

    The Abraham to Melchizedek example suggests a local church or synagogue as the tithe recipient. The source of our inspiration.

    But if we aren't attending either at this time, maybe we know a publisher of print material that lifts lives, a network that broadcasts Christian programming, or a composer or performer of music that comforts and heals. Or an organization that Charity Navigator indicates does an effective job of feeding starving people or ending human trafficking.

    Why does our tithing matter to God? Because it is with our checkbooks -- as well as with our time, talent, or other treasure -- that we most clearly signal what we value and believe in. Tithing demonstrates faith. It's all about trust. We don't put our ultimate trust in possessions, whether large or small. Nor in a job or a portfolio. Tithing demonstrates "In God we trust."

The more you consciously belong to God, the more you will give to God and others. And "you can't outgive God."

    From wonderful old Abraham and the prophets of ancient Israel down through Jesus and the apostles to you and me, it is our faith that delights our heavenly Father.