By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

The subject of giving and receiving from God is important for individuals, the family and the church. Abraham “gave… tithes of all” to Melchizedek, an important figure in the Old Testament, who was without father or mother, and “abideth a priest continually.” He served as a representative of the Almighty God, “made like unto the Son of God” (Hebrews 7:3).

This was why Christ said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56). This event happened about 430 years before the Law of Moses, and it shows that tithing is not premised on the law.

Faith comes before giving, which must be done scripturally and in righteousness. Our journey with God commences with having faith in Him for salvation and eternal life, not giving our money, time, talent or skill. As Abraham “was called to go out into a place, which he should after receive for an inheritance,” so also the Lord calls everyone today to “come out from among them, and be… separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Like he believed, obeyed and came out, “and it was counted unto him for righteousness”, sinners and backsliders must also do the same in order to become sons and daughters of God. Then the Holy Spirit would bear witness in their heart that they are now children of God.

New believers in Christ must note that reconciliation with God, walking with Him, abiding in the Kingdom and living the Kingdom life “is of faith.” The scriptures emphasise that “Abraham believed God.” He did not give to God as a corrupt idolater still immersed in the traditions of the world. Similarly, “they which are of faith,” who are born again and reckon that their relationship with God is not on the basis of religion, but on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, “the same are the children of Abraham.”

The Jews claimed to be Abraham’s children, but Jesus countered them. If they were, indeed, the children of Abraham, they would have believed on Him as the only begotten Son of God.

Paying tithes and fasting regularly does not make anyone a child of Abraham. It is repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that makes one a child of Abraham. A nominal churchgoer does not become a child of God by the works of his hand. No religious person can save himself either, because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He becomes a member of the family of God when he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” After salvation, both Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female “are all one in Christ Jesus,” and have equal opportunity of receiving physical and spiritual blessings from Him.

As “heirs according to the promise,” we have an inheritance from God. Out of all He has blessed us with, we should, like Abraham, give back a part to Him in recognition that He is the Giver and our Redeemer. And as we honour God with our possessions and inheritance, He blesses us abundantly. If tithes and offerings were not important, God would not have concerned Himself with it or accused defaulting Israel of robbery. Leaders must not be too sanctimonious and spiritual to the point they fail to talk about tithes and offerings, as this will make the membership to be ignorant of their responsibility and rob God. To reverse the curse for robbing God, He commands, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and… I will… pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” When we give our tithes and offering willingly, God appreciates it because He loves cheerful givers.

• Further reading (King James Version): Genesis 14:18-20. Hebrews 11:8; Romans 4:3,9,16,22-25; Galatians 3:6-9,11,26-29; Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Malachi 3:8-10; 1 Chronicles 29:9,12-14. Nehemiah 9:7,8; Luke 16:10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Proverbs 3:9,10; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 21:1-4; 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Isaiah 51:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 1 Kings 17:8-16.