The act of tithing is an important indicator of the spiritual life.
After studying tithing practices in five Adventist conferences on five continents, Rob McIver, an Australian researcher, concluded that tithing is correlated with five other practices of the Adventist spiritual package: (1) daily Bible study, (2) daily time for prayer, (3) opening and closing the Sabbath with worship, (4) regular study of the Sabbath School lessons, and (5) presence at Sabbath School class.
It seems clear that all those practices, including tithing, work together to deepen trust in God as well as to increase the connection to Him.
The absence of any of them may also affect the others, and might indicate that a dangerous spiritual disconnection is in process, putting the person at risk of spiritual failure and finally apostasy. One of the first typical signs of when a person begins losing trust in God is when he or she stops tithing.
They might think: If there is no God in heaven, if the Bible is not reliable, or if He is a weak God, unable to fulfil His promises and take care of me, I need to take care of myself. Why then should I give money to “others”?
But for many Adventists, tithing is a practice that regularly reminds them that there is a God in heaven, that His Word is still binding, and that their income should not be taken for granted but should be viewed as part of His blessings. It is a regular reminder that He has dominion over the events of life, that He is the Creator, the Provider, and the Redeemer, and that He is able to do far more than what we ask or think.
Have you ever thought that your tithing patterns may reflect your connection to God and your belief in His Word? He invites you to exercise trust in Him by tithing from all that He provides for you. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Ps. 34:8).
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us to trust in you more and more, and to believe that our support and provision come from You and not from our money! Bless the tithes and offerings that were brought to You today! Amen!
Taken from offering readings supplied by Stewardship department, GC