Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
It is a known fact that some Christian denominations still don’t believe in the celebration of harvest. One of their reasons is that, they see harvest as a reminder of the Second Coming of the Son of God to judge the world; hence, to them, it is a time which every true child of God must look forward to but with awe and lowliness of heart, and not with any form of ceremony. To some extent, I think they are right but at the same time, such an expectation should be a joyous time for anyone who is surely in Christ Jesus. It makes us have a fore-taste of that time when our Lord would come to take us from this sinful and corrupt world to reign with Him in His Father’s house. In fact, our song at all times, as true children of God, should be “Thy Kingdom come O Lord!”
On the other hand, harvest time is a time of thanksgiving, when we celebrate the goodness and favour of God, who in His infinite mercies made our farm products to grow. It is a time to celebrate God’s goodness for promotions in our places of work, for those who work in offices; a time of thanksgiving indeed for the increase in our profits and dividends, for those of us who are into buying and selling. In an agricultural community, harvest time is a natural time of reaping in joy what has been sown in tears.
In the New Testament, the term harvest is used for the gathering in of the redeemed (Matthew 13:39). However, God stands in control of the harvest time; it is part of His work (Jeremiah 5:24; Amos 4: 7). Of course, it is ours to plant (Proverb 6:8), but it is God’s to give harvest; and this is not automatic. So when we labour in planting and God then gives us harvest, we must celebrate and thank God for His kindness, goodness and blessing.
Meanwhile, as we come to give thanks to God today for His abundance blessings in all our endeavours, it is good for us all to know that our harvest, our increase is directly controlled by what we give over and above the tithe. Galatians 6:7 says—”Be not deceived; God is not mocked: because whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap.” When you give over and above the tithe you are saying to God, “Father, I not only demonstrate my trust in you by returning the tithe, I’m giving over and above so that you can return to me 30 – 60 – 100 fold in return.” When you do that, you are in for the blessing time of your life.
Your offering is not a seed until the tithe is paid because God will not protect your money when you’re stealing from Him. You read in Malachi 3 that your seed will be destroyed by the devourer if you don’t tithe. But, when you do tithe, God rebukes the devourer for you.
Your offering establishes the measure that God uses to give back to you through the open windows and protects the rest of your money. God has the ultimate money protection system. It’s called the tithe. I’m repeating myself here to get you to realize the truth. “The truth will make you free.” (John 8:32). This truth will make you the free-hearted giver that God will NOT do without. (2 Corinthians 9:7).
If you are going to receive the maximum, optimum God-kind of prosperity in your life, you must not overlook or under-emphasize the basic building blocks of your Biblical prosperity plan. It is an absolute necessity that you follow the Biblical plan in the area of tithing. To get the windows of heaven open and keep them open, you must tithe. Tithing is NOT an option in God’s Word! The tithe is something you literally owe to God. God says if we do not tithe, we are committing the crime of robbery against Him. So make it a free act of your will and determine to tithe out of your love for Him and out of obedience to His Word. He says we OWE Him the tithe. There is one important distinction. The tithe is given, not at our discretion, but because God commands it. By faithfully bringing the tithe to Him, we establish our basic honesty and obedience. Now, because we love and honour God and want His absolute best for us, we do it willingly, out of obedience, and with love.
The tithe is ten percent of your increase. And the Bible says that God gives the increase. (1Corinthians 3:6-7 & 2 Corinthians 9:10). Since God gives the increase, and we don’t want to steal from Him, we need to return the tithe (ten percent) to Him from that increase on all our resources – both moveable and immovable.
The tithe is ten percent of your increase. And the Bible says that God gives the increase. (1Corinthians 3:6-7 & 2 Corinthians 9:10). Since God gives the increase, and we don’t want to steal from Him, we need to return the tithe (ten percent) to Him from that increase on all our resources – both moveable and immovable.
Have a bountiful week as you reap the rewards of faithful tithing and giving!
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede