𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑:𝟗 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞:

How important is God to you? Can you improve your finances? This proverb answers both questions. You can honor God with your mouth, but talk is cheap. You should put money where your mouth is to show true honor. Solomon promised a reward, “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Pr 3:10).Success requires giving some of your assets, and the first part of increase, to God. Giving Him leftovers, large or small, is not honor, and it does not fulfill the proverb. Solomon gave a financial secret – firstfruits giving to honor God. Giving money away is how to get ahead (Pr 11:24-26). Are you poor? You cannot afford not to give (Eccl 11:1-6). Jesus honored a widow that gave all she had; He did not stop her giving (Luke 21:1-4).Firstfruits giving pays God off the top. Fruit is return on investment or labor. First is paying God before anyone else, including you. Many violate this rule by giving a few bits of all they make. This is not honor. Others violate it by giving from what is left after expenses. This is not honor. This is not firstfruits. Many give a percentage of take home pay, though they always quote their salary in terms of gross pay. This is not firstfruits.Giving a tenth, or tithing, is not taught directly in the N.T., but neither are details of other duties like child discipline, saving, suretyship, or character traits of good and bad wives. Giving is taught in the N.T., and the O.T. kindly provides the details for wise persons. Abraham and Jacob tithed long before Moses (Gen 14:20; 28:22). Christians should use a tenth as a guide or minimum for their far greater blessings (Luke 12:48; Heb 8:6).God required Israel to tithe, or give a tenth of income, in the Law of Moses. In fact, the Israelites gave 23 1/3 % with two annual tithes and a triennial tithe (Num 18:20-32; Deut 14:22-29), though some of this giving is covered under the income tax plans of most nations. Israel also gave special vows and freewill offerings (Deut 12:6). Therefore, a single tithe is a reasonable guide for giving based on Abraham, Jacob, and Moses’ law.Many reject the tithe today, but the promised reward for giving should motivate zealous givers. God rewards liberal, or generous, giving (Pr 11:24-26; 22:9; Ps 112:9; Is 32:5-8; II Cor 9:6). God loves cheerful givers (II Cor 9:7; Rom 12:8; I Chr 29:17-18). Those that want to debate the Bible’s giving standard violate both important principles. Beyond financial blessings in this life, God also promises eternal life for givers (I Tim 6:17-19).God dares His people to test how much He can bless them (Mal 3:8-12). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were blessed, because they knew how to give (Gen 14:20; 28:22). God made David rich (I Chron 29:18), but David loved to give (I Chron 21:24; 22:1-16). If you give liberally, the Lord promises to reward you liberally (Pr 11:25; Luke 6:38; II Cor 9:6). This is one of the Bible’s greatest promises. There is every reason to believe and obey it.A Christian businessman, R.G. LeTourneau, grasped the concept of honoring God and giving – he gave 90% and kept 10% for himself, no matter his financial situation. He became one of America’s great industrialists with about 300 patents to his credit. “The question,” he said, “is not how much of my money I give to God, but rather how much of God’s money I keep for myself.” He is a much better example than those hating the tithe.The giving taught in this proverb is not an option for Christians – it is a duty – so that not giving becomes robbery (Mal 3:8-12). God will punish all thieves, but He will especially punish those that steal from Him by honoring themselves over Him (Hag 1:2-7). Giving to God should be your favorite financial activity. If you combine cheerful giving with liberal giving to honor God, He will bless you greatly (Ps 37:4; Is 58:7-12; Hag 2:15-19).