Giving That Glorifies: Why Tithing Is a Heart Matter
Introduction: More Than Numbers
If we’re honest, many people view tithing as just another church requirement—10% of your income, regularly handed over to tick a religious box. But what if tithing was never meant to be about obligation?
What if it’s actually about the heart?
Tithing is one of the most misunderstood and overlooked spiritual disciplines in the Christian walk. Yet, when practiced with understanding and intentionality, it becomes one of the most powerful ways to grow in faith, steward resources wisely, and honor God.
In this post, we’ll explore why tithing is much more than a transaction. It’s an act of worship, a test of trust, and a heart-check that speaks volumes about who or what truly rules our lives.
The True Purpose of Tithing
Tithing—giving the first 10% of your income to God—is rooted in Scripture. But long before it was a law, it was a response.
In Genesis 14:18–20, Abraham gave a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High. This act came after God had given Abraham victory in battle. He wasn’t told to give. He gave out of gratitude, honor, and recognition of who his source was.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
— Proverbs 3:9
That word honor is key. Tithing is an act of honor—not obligation.
Why God Cares About Our Giving
God doesn’t need our money.
Let that sink in.
He owns everything (Psalm 24:1), and yet He invites us to give. Why? Because our money is often the clearest reflection of our heart.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21
God uses money to test where our priorities lie. When we give Him our first and best, we’re declaring:
“You are my source.”
“You are my provider.”
“I trust You above my salary, my business, or my plans.”
That’s why tithing is a heart matter. It reveals where we place our security, our identity, and our faith.
The Problem With Transactional Giving
Many believers fall into the trap of transactional giving—the idea that, “If I give this amount, God must bless me back.” That mindset turns tithing into a business deal, not worship.
While it's true that God honors faithfulness and generosity, giving should never be done with strings attached. God looks at the motive before He looks at the amount.
“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.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
Tithing that glorifies God flows from the heart—not from manipulation or pressure.
When Giving Becomes Worship
Worship isn’t just singing songs or raising hands. Worship is responding to God with everything—your life, your time, and yes, your finances.
When you tithe:
You’re acknowledging God’s faithfulness.
You’re surrendering control over your finances.
You’re aligning your resources with God’s mission.
That’s worship. And it’s beautiful to God.
Think of the widow in Luke 21:1–4 who gave two small coins. Jesus didn’t praise the rich men giving out of surplus—He praised her, because she gave from a heart of total trust.
The Blessing Behind Obedient Giving
Let’s talk about the other side of tithing: the blessing that follows it.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven…” — Malachi 3:10
This is the only place in the Bible where God says, “Test Me.”
When we tithe, we’re not only obeying—we’re positioning ourselves for provision, protection, and peace. Not always in flashy, material ways—but in consistent, sustainable ways:
Unexpected income
Job opportunities
Favor in business
Supernatural contentment
Wisdom for financial decisions
The point isn’t that God “pays you back.” The point is that giving aligns you with His system, not the world’s.
How Tithing Changed My Heart (And My Habits)
I’ll be honest: I didn’t always tithe faithfully. I used to think, “When I earn more, I’ll start.” Or, “Let me just sort out my bills first.”
But those were just excuses masking my fear—fear that if I gave, I wouldn’t have enough left. But when I decided to tithe before doing anything else with my income, everything changed.
Here’s what happened:
I became more disciplined with spending.
I stopped seeing money as mine, and started seeing it as God’s.
I learned to trust, not panic, when unexpected needs arose.
I saw God provide in ways I couldn’t explain—discounts, gifts, open doors.
Tithing didn’t just help my bank account—it helped my heart grow in maturity and faith.
Practical Tips for Heart-Centered Giving
Want to grow in this area? Here are a few simple but effective steps:
1. Start With Prayer
Before you give, ask God to align your heart. Don’t just calculate Consecrate. Giving is an act of spiritual alignment, not just arithmetic.
2. Give First, Not Last
The principle of “firstfruits” means you give before spending, not after. This shows that God is first in your priorities, not an afterthought.
3. Be Consistent
Set a system that works for you—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Use a giving app or a reminder if needed. Consistency grows faith.
4. Track Your Giving Testimonies
Keep a journal or notes of how God provides after you give. You’ll begin to see patterns of His faithfulness that build your trust.
5. Teach Others
Whether you’re a parent, mentor, or friend, talk openly about tithing. Your transparency can unlock someone else’s breakthrough.
What If I can’t afford to tithe?
This is a real question many face. The cost of living is high, and ssometimes it feels like giving 10% would break you.
But here’s the truth: Tithing is less about what you give and more about what you believe. Start where you are. If you can’t give a full tithe, give what you can with faith and consistency. God sees the heart behind the amount.
Remember the widow’s offering? Jesus didn’t comment on how much she gave—He praised how she gave.
Giving in the New Testament: Beyond the Law
Some people argue that tithing is “Old Testament law” and no longer required. But the New Testament doesn’t cancel tithing—it deepens it.
In the New Testament, believers were known for radical generosity. They sold property, met each other’s needs, and gave freely.
Jesus didn’t abolish tithing. In Matthew 23:23, He rebuked the Pharisees for tithing but neglecting justice and mercy, then said, “You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
Tithing isn’t the ceiling of giving—it’s the starting point.
Conclusion: The Heart Behind Your Hand
In the end, giving that glorifies isn’t measured by how much you drop in the basket. It’s measured by what’s going on in your heart.
Are you giving out of love or out of guilt?
Out of faith or out of fear?
Out of obedience or out of pressure?
True tithing God-honoring, heart-driven tithing sets your finances in order, aligns your priorities, and brings you into deeper partnership with God.
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