The word of God tells us “Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the commandment. The offering of the righteous enriches the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High. The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable, and will never be forgotten. Be generous when you worship the Lord, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands” – Sirach. 35:6-10
Many of us do not understand the importance of tithes or one-tenth. God says that one-tenth of everything that we have belong to him. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house” – Malachi. 8:10
If we read in the old testament all God’s people offered their one-tenth to God. “Abel brought the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions” – Genesis. 4:4. “Abram gave one-tenth of everything” – Genesis. 14:20. “Jacob vows to give one-tenth of everything to God” – Genesis. 28:22. “All tithes from the land, whether the seed from the ground or the fruit from the tree are the Lord’s; they are holy to the Lord.” – Leviticus. 27:80
“Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.” – Sirach. 35:12-13. In the book of Tobit, it is very clearly explained that Tobit gave one-tenth of everything to the sons of Levi who ministered at Jerusalem. A second tenth he would distribute in the form of money in Jerusalem. A third tenth he would give to the orphans and widows. (Tobit. 1:6-8)
Thus, my dear brothers and sisters, we need to offer one-tenth of everything, that means, one-tenth of our time, our money, our talents, our gifts and everything that we have, to God; who will in-turn bless us abundantly. “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” – 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
