One of the 10 Commandments clearly states, “Thou Shalt Not Steal.”  This is a good Commandment don’t you think?  No one likes to have something of theirs stolen but we’ve all had something stolen from us and it bites, doesn’t it!?  It illicits many sinful thoughts that if carried out could land you in prison for quite a few years. 

There are all types of characters that seem to think they can take what they want, when they want.  I’m sure we all know or have known a thief in our lifetimes.  I have!  In fact, I know a few hundred of them (more actually), and I go to church with them or are around them on a regular basis (I used to be one of them as well)   What!?!?!?!??!!  I’m kidding right? Actually….NO!  Let me explain by quoting scriptures from Malachi:

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” 10:3

Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”
 

On www.bible.com, Pastor Eddie Cude states: What is the tithe? It is the “gateway for the believer into the covenant of blessings.” In the Hebrew “maaser” or “maasrah,” is translated tenth, or tenth part, and in Greek “apodekatoo” and in both, it means a payment or giving or receiving of the tenth.

Tithing is more than a command from God.  It is an exercise in obedience and faithfulness, and it is a reflection of our hearts.  Look at anyone that you know and tell me how they spend their money, and I could tell you confidently what is important to them…and what isn’t.

As Christians, we are failing miserably at fulfilling this command (among others).  I would guess, optimistically, that less than 20% of all Christians are truly tithing 10% of their income (gross).  In essence, more than 80% of all Christians are STEALING from God.  You can hem and haw and spit and sputter all you want but if you are a Christian and you are giving less than 10%, you are stealing from God.  In truth, all things and everything belongs to God. He owns it ALL.  Whatever we have has been gifted to us from Him, and it should be an honor and privilege to give joyfully to Him.  EVERYONE can tithe according to God’s command, and if you are not tithing then you are hindering the church’s ability to effectively reach lost souls and fulfill the Great Commission.  Churches all over America are being starved financially by selfish and greedy individuals who are more concerned with building their “kingdoms” instead of God’s Kingdom.  They have no problem with dropping a $20 in the plate and then spending thousands on frivolous “toys” that reach exactly zero lost souls.  They further insult God by giving more to non-Christian charities and do-good organizations that have nothing to do with Christ. 

As Christians we have to understand that as Christ’s children, we have a tremendous responsibility to be wise stewards of His resources so that the lost can be reached with His Truth and Gift of Salvation.  There are BILLIONS that have never heard the name Jesus and there are tens of thousands that are willing to go to these people but are being hindered and even kept from doing God’s Will because there isn’t enough money to support them. 

So how do we correct this and start living in God’s Will concerning tithing and giving?  Simple:

1. Pray to God asking forgiveness for your selfish attitude and actions concerning your finances and ask Him to take complete control of your life and your finances.  Tell Him that you will be an obedient and faithful servant, willing to live as He Wills.

2. Begin to SHOW Him that you will be obedient to His Commands:  start tithing IMMEDIATELY 10% (that’s gross).

3. Stop giving money to any charity or organization that isn’t fulfilling the Great Commission and building God’s Kingdom.  Our concern is saving lost souls.  There’s enough lost souls with plenty of money that can support non-Christian charities.  Christian ministries reach lost souls and cater to their worldly needs, all in the name of Jesus Christ.

 4. Make a financial committment to sponsor at least ONE native missionary somewhere in the world.  Preferrably through Gospel for Brazil (www.gospelforbrazil.org more for information on how to do this.).  This is the organization that we are personally involved in and God is doing awesome things there in Brazil.   

If we start here, with humble and obedient hearts, then we will start to see tremendous spiritual growth within ourselves, and the Christian church will become a “Soul-Reaching Powerhouse”.  The stakes are just too high for us to continue giving Christ lip service about being faithful and obedient servants who want “only to love you and do your will.”  The lip service will get you about as far as it got Milli-Vanilli, and it will cause hell to be overflowing with lost souls because we couldn’t and wouldn’t reach them.