Lesson 8: The Tithe Must Be a Priority.

Definition

The tithe is 10% of our total income given to God faithfully.  

Scripture Reading

Genesis 4:2-5, “2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”

Main Points

1. CAIN’S GIFT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE HE WAITED TO LONG TO GIVE IT: The Bible records, “in the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits…” So because he did make giving his priority and made it more like an after thought God did not favor or bless him, v. 3.
2. ABEL’S GIFT WAS ACCEPTED BECAUSE IT WAS HIS FIRST: Abel made giving to God a priority by giving God his first-born animals, v. 4.

Summary

God wants to be the first to receive from your hard work, not second or third.

Application

1. Repent if you have not been making the tithe a priority.
2. Make the habit of first giving God His tithe before you spend your money on anything else.

Confession

The tithe was “implied” with Cain and Abel; “revealed” to Abraham, “established” in the Law of Moses, and is still “relevant” for today.  It comes with a “blessing and curse,” it must be “qualitative,” a “priority,” and a “faithful” practice in our lives. The tithe “advances” the Kingdom of God, tests our “maturity,” breaks the attitude of greed through “obedience,” is “mandated” for all, and brings us into “partnership” with God and His church.