Q: What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?
Published on January 1, 2019
A:
The covenant we have with God is one that includes financial prosperity, and in God’s system, tithing and giving offerings are how you activate THE BLESSING in your life and get on the road to increase. While both tithing and offerings are forms of giving, there is a distinct difference between the two.
Tithe simply means “tenth.” To tithe is to give 10% of your gross income to the Lord, and according to the Bible, it belongs to Him (Malachi 3:8). Above all else, tithing is giving honor to God. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (NKJV). It is such a privilege to respect and honor our Provider by returning to Him the tithe. God considers the tithe crucial to your financial success (Malachi 3:10-11).
Check out 3 Tither’s Rights Every Christian Should Know.
An offering is bringing a free-will gift that is beyond the tithe, not instead of the tithe. It can be to a person or organization, and be in the form of money, clothing, food or almost anything else God prompts you to give. When you give an offering, you are sowing seeds for a harvest. You can even name your seed to correspond with a blessing you’re believing for. When you plant a seed in good soil, it will always reap a return!
God’s design is to increase and prosper His people through the principles of giving, and receiving a return on that giving (Luke 6:38). Giving your tithes and offerings with a pure heart brings breakthrough, promotion and increase!
