TITHES: MARKING PRODUCTIVITY THE ABRAHAMIC WAY

05/20/2024

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:11)

The tithe is an important marker in the life of a Christian. The significance of the tithe lies in what it accomplishes rather than in its nature. Before delving into the subject of tithing, it is important to recognize that in matters of importance to God, He always marks His territory.

For example, the eighth day circumcision was a form of God marking His territory among people. Genesis 17:12-13 NIV says, "For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant."

Today, a similar demarcation between people exists, defined by the confession of Jesus as Lord. Those who confess the Lordship of Jesus belong to God, while those who do not belong to the devil. Romans 10:13 states, "For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’" This implies that those who have not called on the name of the LORD are not saved; they are lost.

In the area of productivity and profitability, which is the main focus of today's devotional, God taught Abraham the principle of marking out God's portion. How do we know God taught him? In Genesis 17:1-2, the Bible says, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.'" This indicates that God showed Abram how to be blameless through the instructions He gave him.

Now the first recorded payment of a tithe, we find in Genesis 14:18-20: "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. "

We know then that God taught Abram to tithe as a mark of the covenant and a sign for divine multiplication. Jacob, who must have learned this practice from his grandfather, said to God at Bethel, "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” (Genesis 28:22). In other words, Jacob tithed not out of compulsion or ritual but as a way of marking all that God gave him, protecting it from mishap and depletion.

Why is this important? The same principle applies as when the death angel could distinguish the firstborn males of Egypt from the firstborn in Israel by a mark. Exodus 12:12-13 says, "'For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.'"

Brethren, there is a productivity storm coming. Many will see the fruits of their labor, their savings, and their opportunities evaporate in a single day, week, or year. However, those who understand how to mark their productivity by tithing will not only experience wealth preservation but will also partake in a coming wealth transfer. Ecclesiastes 2:26 says, "For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind."

The type of person you will be categorized as when this storm arrives will be based on your attentiveness to tithing. Repent if you must, but pay utmost attention to tithing going forward. Let a word be enough for the wise.

Have a great day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am the seed of Abraham. My source is the Lord. Therefore, I put His mark on all of the material blessings that I enjoy by giving tithes. There is no end to my productivity, wealth, and prosperity because the mark of God is on all that He has blessed me with. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 3-5; John 8:1-20