You give your tithe to your church – the household of faith where you belong.

The church should use the tithe first and foremost in support of those whose give their full time to gospel work; and then to all the missionary efforts of the church.

I know that there are a bunch of crooks – I constantly attack them – who are out there masquerading as men of God. That’s why I was initially very reluctant to teach this series on Christian Giving. I  teach this to my members, but because I know that this teaching will go out on the internet through our webcasts, I’m not particularly keen about teaching it.  A lot of pastors listen to our webcasts and I know that they will like this teaching. They will be excited by this series on Christian Giving and Tithe. So that’s why I didn’t want to teach it, but God said to me, “You have to.”

There are charlatans out there who exploit and extort from church folks. They masquerade as men of God.  A lot of them are criminals who are armed to steal. They are wolves in sheep clothing, and are just out to fleece the flock. God will deliver you from such people and their wiles.

However, there are genuine churches that have true men of God, called by God, who preach the truth, and practice sound doctrine. They exist, and those people need to be supported by their congregation. They need to be encouraged by their congregation.

Who is Melchizedek today?

“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”
~Hebrews 7: 1-4

Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek – who is Jesus Christ. And folks have asked me, “You say Melchizedek is Jesus. But Jesus is in heaven; so how do we give him the tithe?”

To answer this question, let’s look at what Jesus said:

“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living by the Gospel.”
~1 Corinthians 9:14

Jesus commanded – not suggested; commanded – that those who preach the gospel should receive their living by the Gospel. Those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel. You didn’t say it; I didn’t say it; Jesus Himself commanded it. The fact that there are charlatans doesn’t mean we should neglect those who give their entire lives to preaching the Gospel. We shouldn’t neglect our duties, and we shouldn’t disobey God. This is His command. Those genuine men and women of God who have left everything for the work of the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel.

So essentially, Jesus said, “Give it to them; they receive it on my behalf.”

Memory Verse:
1 Corinthians 9:14
“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living by the Gospel.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I will obey Your command to ensure that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel through my tithe, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.