Tithing: The path to prosperity

Steve Lyston, Contributor

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are".

The carnal mind sees no value in tithing. But the spiritual mind recognises and identifies its relevance and importance. The carnal mind would prefer to build up the economy on the foundation of gambling or immorality. Tithing affords us the capacity to receive the ideas and solution for an original blueprint to build an economy.

When one tries to build a blueprint for a nation's economy on the basis of other nation's blueprints, then it shows a lack of creativity and originality and laziness. God created the economy before He created man - when He spoke all the elements into being and then placed man in it. Once man follows the precepts, laws and principles laid out by the Creator, then everything will fall into place.

Tithing speaks of one-tenth and the number 10 also speaks of completion, labour. We have 10 fingers, and we labour with them all. The number 10 also represents the perfection of God's divine order.

Interestingly, these 10 words - law, testimony, ways, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgement, path, order, understanding are critical keys to a sound economy. They are the words the Lord used to direct man to effectively govern the earth. We must recognise and employ them daily.

Tithing opens your eyes to see the resources, as well as how and where to invest them. It is not about being Christian or non-Christian. God commands everyone to tithe. It honours God! Very shortly, regardless of the state of the economy, we are going to see the varying results in those organisations and individuals that tithe versus those that don't.

The scriptures speak about the 10 virgins - five were wise and the other five foolish. There is also the reference to the 10 plagues and the importance of the 10 days of consecration. In the Chinese numeral system, the symbol for the number 10 is a cross.

In science, the number 10 represents the element neon. It is a gas within the atmosphere which is used in neon signs, television tubes and can freeze things three times more than liquid hydrogen.

Belongs to God

Our numbering system is based on the number 10. In cricket, 10 persons have to be bowled out before the other team can go in. The Bible speaks of the 10 nations that will come together to rule the world. Even more interestingly, there were 10 generations between Adam and Noah; and 10 generations between Noah and Abraham.

According to Leviticus 27:30-32, the tithe is holy and it belongs to God for establishing His kingdom. That it belongs to God means that it is to be used to establish His kingdom, feeding the poor, taking care of the priests as His earthly representatives.

The reason the nation is suffering at this point is that the purpose for which the tithe is to be used is not taking place, so the priests and the poor now have to find alternative methods to sustain themselves. So the attention that they would give to the spiritual and other needs of the people under their care are being neglected as they make efforts to survive financially.

In II Chronicles 31, King Hezekiah led by example by calling a tithe amnesty - to restore the order of things, thereby allowing the priests to refocus and fulfil their duties according to the instruction of God. This brought major economic revival in the nation!

How many politicians are truly tithing.

Tithing is not for the pastor to be rich, but for you to receive the blessings and wealth. Many who criticise tithing simply don't understand what this principle is about, nor do they seek to genuinely understand.

Yet, I am certain that they have no problems paying the dues and fees required to maintain membership in their clubs and other civic organisations. Tithing carries seven benefits that you will receive once you are faithful in this area. Tithing is an expression of honour to God. Where your money goes determines where your honour lies. Tithing began in the Old Testament times and continues into the New Testament (in Hebrews 7), and as such ought to continue today.

Many would prefer to see or have the church powerless. They know the value of money, and that to be effective within a society, one must have money - financial resources. When the Church lacks the finance to carry out its functions, then other organisations pushing immorality begin to strive. There are billions going towards enhancing immorality while people refuse to tithe unto God. They prefer to tithe to immorality.

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire .