Spirit and Life Devotional is a daily publication by Pastor Chinaemerem Ibezim, senior pastor of Able Ministers Chapel, a church based in Calabar, Cross River State.
“Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.’ Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.” – Genesis 14:19-20 NLT
A dear young man called me early one Sunday morning; he had received some money from his mum being a share of proceeds from the sale of a piece of land, and he wanted to know how much tithe he could pay. The money was quite large, he had needs, and he wanted to know if he could pay less than ten percent, so he could settle his bills. I said to him, “You can’t outgive God.”
I didn’t receive tithes in church for eight months after I started church. And I don’t threaten people who don’t give tithes with Malachi 3:9. Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, so no one will be cursed for not giving the tithes! I will never judge a person’s faith by whether he gives tithes or not. It’s a personal decision.
But does God reward tithers? Yes! There are so many testimonies. When we give to the Lord, whether tithes or anything, He always blesses us. A person who tithes is honouring God and acknowledging Him as the Source of their blessing. Joseph made the Egyptians give Pharaoh twenty percent of their income. So why can’t we give God ten percent? That’s what I give; twenty percent and even more, because I never stop giving!
Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” You want to enjoy abundance? Tithe!
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