Every time we get paid, we take a test. God doesn’t need what you have… but he wants your . 100% of it. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to separate our relationship with Jesus from our relationship with money. My tithe story… God, I’m bringing you this 10% as a statement that 100% belongs to you. Tithing is more about what God wants me than what God wants me. 3 things can happen with money. Spend it. Save it. Give it. Give it. Save it. Spend it. If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all. 1. Tithing is about obedience in love. John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:9-13 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 2. Tithing is the ONLY way in scripture we are invited to test God. Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! John 14:33 You cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. 3. You can’t GIVE a TITHE. You can only BRING it. Bring all the tithes… Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. Job 1:21 “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” 4. TITHING is giving God my FIRST and BEST. The tithe is not just 10% of our income, but the first 10% of our income. It is still morally right to consider all my possessions as property of the almighty. In the Old Testament we worshipped God with sacrifices. In the New Testament, we are the living sacrifice. We are STILL giving God our first and our best. We are giving WILLINGLY AND CHEERFULLY instead of legalistically. 2 Corinthians 9:7 “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Genesis 4:2-5 When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to separate our relationship with Jesus from our relationship with money.