The Bible talks about different types of giving: offerings, tithes, first fruits, and alms. Each type has a different purpose, and each is important in its own way. Here’s a closer look at each type of giving.
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1. Offerings
An offering is a gift that is given to God without expecting anything in return. It is a way of showing our love and appreciation for all that He has done for us.
Offerings can be given at any time, and there is no set amount that must be given. We are free to give as we feel led by the Holy Spirit.
Bible verses talking about giving offerings:
"And now, as an expression of my gratitude to the Lord, I offer this sacrifice. So please accept it willingly." 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NLT)
"For every animal that is sacrificed as a whole offering to the Lord must be without defect or blemish. You may not offer to the Lord an animal that has any defects, because he will not accept it on your behalf." Leviticus 22:21 (CEB)
2. Tithes
A tithe is a tenth of our income that we give back to God as an expression of our thankfulness for His provision in our lives.
The Bible tells us to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, which means giving it all to the church or other religious organization where we worship (Malachi 3:10).
This type of giving shows our faithfulness and trust in God’s ability to provide for us even when times are tough.
Bible verses about giving tithes:
“Bring all the ten percent into the storehouse so there will be food in my house; put me to the test by doing this," says Yahweh Almighty.”-Malachi 3:10 NLT
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,' they sang 'to receive glory and honor and power.' For you created all things; by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 NIV
3. First Fruits
First fruits are the best and most valuable part of our harvest that we offer to God as a sign of our thankfulness for His bounty.
This type of giving is an act of worship that shows our dependence on Him for all things.
It is also a way of consecrating the rest of our harvest to Him, setting it apart for His purposes (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Bible verses about giving first fruits:
"And when you enter the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance and settle in it, take some of every first fruit of the ground that you harvest from your new homeland." Deuteronomy 26:2 NLT
4. Alms
Almsgiving refers to giving money or other help to those in need, out of compassion and love.
Remember that this type of giving should not be done with the expectation of getting anything in return (Luke 14:12-14).
We should give generously and cheerfully, knowing that God will bless us in ways we cannot even imagine (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
Bible verses about giving alms:
"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.' ... 'I needed clothes,' he will say,' and you clothed met'..." Matthew 25:35-36 (CEV)
"Share what you have with the poor, and don't take advantage of them. In that way, your harvest will be plentiful," Proverbs 22:9 (CEV).
What are the different kinds of givers?
There are different types of givers: those who grudgingly give, those who give out of a sense of duty, and those who give with gratitude.
Grudge givers are the type of people who give begrudgingly. They may do it because they feel like they have to or because they think it’s the right thing to do.
However, there is usually an underlying resentment towards the act of giving itself.
Duty givers are the type of people who give out of a sense of obligation. They may do it because they think it’s their responsibility or because they want to reciprocate for something someone else has done for them. Duty givers often have a strong sense of moral obligation when it comes to giving.
Thanks givers are the type of people who give with gratitude. They may do it because they appreciate what the other person has done for them or simply because they enjoy giving. Thanks givers tend to have a positive attitude toward giving and see it as an opportunity to express their appreciation.
What kind of giving is blessed by God?
One of the most important things to remember when considering giving is that God blesses different types of giving. While some people may feel called to give only their time or resources, others may be called to give monetarily. Here are four different types of giving that are blessed by God:
- Time: One of the most precious commodities any of us have is time. When we give our time to serve others, we are investing in something far greater than ourselves. This type of giving can look like volunteering at a local soup kitchen or mentoring a child in your community.
- Resources: Another way to give is through our resources. This can include giving money to a charity or donating items we no longer need to those who could use them. When we share our resources with others, we are helping to meet their needs and showing them God’s love.
- Talents: We all have unique talents and abilities that we can use to bless others. When we share our talents with the world, we are using them in the way God intended. This could look like teaching a Sunday school class or using your musical gifts to lead worship at your church.
- Prayers: One of the most important things we can give is prayer. Prayer is powerful and when we lift others up in prayer, we are interceding on their behalf. This type of giving shows our trust in God and His ability to work in any situation.
Why does God want us to give?
There are many reasons why God may want us to give, but one primary reason is that it is an act of obedience. When we give, we are putting God first in our lives and showing that we trust Him to provide for us.
Additionally, giving can be a way to express our thankfulness for all that God has done for us. It is also an act of love – when we give to others, we are sharing the love of Christ with them.
Another reason why God may want us to give is that it can be a tool for evangelism. When we give to those in need, we are showing them the love of Christ and providing for their physical needs.
This can open up opportunities to share the gospel with them and lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
What’s more, giving is simply a good thing to do! According to Philanthropy Outlook, 49% of the population gave to religious organizations.
This is about 2% of total donations (which totaled $298 billion) and only 7% of churchgoers’ income. And on average, there is $73.67 a month per giver!
What happens when you don’t tithe?
When you don’t tithe, you are essentially robbing God. You are not giving Him your first fruits, which is what He deserves. Your heart also hardens when you don’t give to the Lord.
Malachi 3:8-10 says,
"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 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.”
When you don’t tithe, you are not giving God your first and best. You are essentially saying that what you have is more important to you than what God has asked for. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, as well as a sense of not being good enough.
What happens when we give to God?
When we give to God, we are acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives. We are saying that we trust Him to provide for us and meet our needs. This act of obedience shows our faith in Him and His promises.
When we give to God, He blesses us in return. He is a generous God who loves to give good gifts to His children. He wants us to experience the joy of giving, and so He blesses us when we give to Him.
Giving to God is an act of worship. It is an expression of our love for Him and our thankfulness for all that He has done for us. When we give to God, we are telling Him that we trust Him with our lives and our future.
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