5 Reasons I Tithe

Why I Tithe: Putting God First

Scripture References

Primary text

• Deuteronomy 14
• Malachi 3
• Matthew 23

Other references

• Genesis 28
• Leviticus 27
• Exodus 23
• 1 Chronicles 29:14
• Ephesians 2

Overview

Pastor Craig opened the new series “This Is What We Do” by explaining why tithing is non-negotiable for him. Rather than manipulating listeners, he laid out reasons someone might choose not to tithe, then gave five clear reasons he joyfully returns the first 10 percent to God. The message pressed into lordship, faith, and eternal impact, reminding the church that generosity flows from identity: we are blessed to be a blessing.

Main Points

1. What tithing is—and what it is not

• Hebrew word ma ʿaśer = “one-tenth.”
• Not a tip, fee, random donation, guilt payment, or transaction to buy blessing.
• Definition: “Tithing is returning the first 10 percent of what God entrusts to us, worshiping Him with our first and our best.”
• “Technically, tithing is not giving—it's returning.”

2. Why you might NOT want to tithe

• If you think it earns salvation.
• If you’re trying to silence guilt.
• If you’re attempting to purchase God’s favor.
• Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2), not by works “so no one can boast.”

3. Five reasons Pastor Craig tithes

1) It teaches me to put God first

• Deuteronomy 14: “Bring the tithe… Doing this will teach you to always put God first.”
• Illustration: Ten $1 bills; the tithe is the first dollar, not the leftover one.
• “It takes faith to give first.”

2) It reminds me God is my source

• 1 Chronicles 29:14—everything comes from Him; we only return what came from His hand.
• “I am a steward, not the owner.”

3) Jesus told me to

• Matthew 23:23—> “You should tithe, yes.”
• For Jesus, tithing was baseline obedience, alongside justice and mercy.

4) It breaks fear and builds faith

• Malachi 3: “Bring the whole tithe… Test Me in this.”
• Two contrasting cycles:
  • Culture’s cycle: God supplies → we consume → we lack → we fear.
  • Kingdom cycle: God supplies → we return → God multiplies → our faith grows.
• Personal story: First tithe as a college student; grandmother unexpectedly bought him a car the same day, launching a pattern of provision that enabled lifelong generosity.
• Principle learned: “God can do more with 90 percent and His blessing than we can with 100 percent on our own.”

5) It connects my resources to eternal impact

• Two things live forever: the souls of people and the Word of God.
• Through the church’s Storehouse giving, 165 ministry partners are resourced; examples include food banks and LifeNet’s training that has saved 20,000 mothers and babies in Africa.
• 1 billion devices now carry the YouVersion Bible App—fruit of collective generosity.

4. This is what we do

• “We will lead the way with irrational generosity because we truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
• Big enough to impact the world, small enough to care for the one.

Key Truths

• Tithing is an act of worship that declares God is first in every area.
• Returning the first tenth shifts our trust from a paycheck to the Provider.
• Jesus affirmed tithing as baseline obedience coupled with justice and mercy.
• Generosity dismantles scarcity thinking and invites God’s multiplying grace.
• Investments in God’s kingdom turn temporary income into eternal outcomes.

Response

• Put God first by setting aside the tithe before any other expense.
• Test God’s promise in Malachi 3; track His provision and share testimonies.
• Identify fears about money and replace them with declarations of God’s sufficiency.
• Move beyond the tithe into strategic, Spirit-led generosity.
• Celebrate and pray for the ministries your giving fuels.

Closing

Pastor Craig emphasized that no one is forced to tithe—God’s love is not for sale—but those who do experience the joy of aligning every dollar with His purposes. The invitation was simple: honor God with what He has entrusted to you, for “He already gave us more than enough reason to worship Him with our first and our best.”