Bible Verses you will need to look up for this Take Home Bible Study
Take Home Bible Studies (Vol. 4)
Genesis 14:18-20 Leviticus 27:30,32 Proverbs 3:9-10 Malachi 3:8-10 Matthew 23:23 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Matthew 6:1-4
Tithing
Introduction "Tithe" may be an unfamiliar word to you as it is not a common word today. However, it is a term used in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible very frequently. Since man is to live by every word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4), it is a subject that we need to know about and understand. This guide will help you to discover how "tithing" fits into God's way of life. Definition
Look up the word ‘holy’ and write out the definition
What can be holy in our lives? Our money? Our time? Anything?
Comment: God told the Israelites that anything they tithed to Him was holy – set apart for Him. How amazing that something we give to God is considered holy!
The word "tithe" is an Old English word meaning "tenth." Read PROVERBS 3:9-10 Read Genesis 14:18-20 How can we demonstrate that we honor God? Abram gave Melchizedek a ‘tenth’ of what?
What is God’s promise if we give our firstfruits to Him? Read Leviticus 27:30, 32 What does God command the Israelites to tithe? Comment: Firstfruits simply means giving to God your first and best. If you were an apple farmer, you wouldn’t give God rotten apples, you’d give Him the best apples you had. Similarly we must give God our first and best! How much was the tithe? Read MALACHI 3:8-10 Which of the 10 Commandments does one break by not giving God His tithe? Comment: The Israelites were to tithe the harvest of their crops and their livestock. This was their means of income. They didn’t have wallets full of money; they had their land, their crops, and their livestock. Today, however, we have money, and we are to tithe everything we have – money, time, goods, resources, talents, spiritual gifts, etc.
What results from failing to tithe? What promise does God make to tithegivers?
The Old Testament Law of tithing What can we learn about tithing from these verses? Reread LEVITICUS 27:30 To whom does the tithe belong? Some have criticized tithing by saying that it limits us to only giving a tenth. What does this verse instruct us to give? Does it place a limit on an amount?
Comment: The Bible speaks of tithes and offerings. What is the difference? Tithes are to be the firstfruits of what you bring in. You are to give a tenth of everything to God right from the beginning. An offering is anything after the tithe. For example, you have a friend in need and you help them financially – that would be an offering. Or an evangelist comes to your church and you give them an offering besides your normal tithe at church.
What do you think God wants us to learn by tithing?
Tithing in the New Testament What role, if any, does faith play in tithing? Read MATTHEW 23:23 It is important to tithe, but what is more important?
Summary Read 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 What does God love?
What gives God the right to claim any portion of money we work for and produce?
If we tithe sparingly, what will be the result? If we tithe generously, what will be the result?
Why would you WANT to tithe? Is giving a tenth an act of worship?
Read Matthew 6:1-4 Do you think our attitude in giving is important?
Explain how tithing is a partnership with God.
If we don’t want to give, should we give anyways?
What’s most important when we give to God? Adapted from Teen Bible Study Discussion Guides http://www.ucg.org/teenstudy/
Tithing Record Use this page to help keep track of your tithes and offerings to God. Record the date you gave your tithe to God, record how much you earned, and record how much you gave to God. Remember this is not to brag about how much you gave to God, but to help keep you accountable in your tithing to God.
Date
Amount Earned
Tithe Due to God