If we follow through the scriptures, then if we honour biblical giving it declares that: God is our king, he owns the land, and he will protect us.

This is why God gets so upset over people in the Old Testament not paying their tithe. It's not because God needs the money. Failure to tithe is a rejection of His kingship (Proverbs 3:9-10). Paying tithes recognizes the Lord as their King (see also the covenant renewals under Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 31:4-11 and Nehemiah in Nehemiah 10:37-39). When they failed to give to God, He accuses them of robbery (Malachi 3:7-9). They are keeping what is not theirs to keep.

If the principle of tithing held during the times of the patriarchs, and Moses, and the nation, and Babylonian captivity, and during the return, and was restated by Jesus Himself then it is something that we should consider.

I believe that the tithe is a moral principle for all time for all people everywhere who claim God as their King, believe that He owns everything, and desire His protection. In 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 Paul tells us that he wants us to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. But he also says I am not saying you must do it.

Every one of us needs to be prudent on the matter of how we deal with our finances.

It is not my aim to compel you to give but to consider the wonders of God in your financial situation. I often wonder why Paul confirms that he speaks not of commandment but of love. In my heart the reason was probably the same then as it is today. We are all in different financial circumstances situated in different parts of the world. If you are burdened with debt then you may have a debt management plan in place which has been agreed with your creditors. In this case it is not possible for you to follow all of the principles of biblical giving.

Just last night a man came to see me who has not been paid for three months. He is living from savings which have nearly gone. Not so long ago I was approached by the Trustees of my own church stating that due to falling tithes and offerings pastoral salaries needed to be stopped. At the time this was devastation to three of us, how do you replace income to pay the bills, and still service God but for all three of us we have adapted and God has provided for us.

I will leave you with a quick story. It involved a ministry trip that I was involved with in Kenya. Through various reasons I recommended that our team give any spare cash and give to a very needy situation. Everyone agreed and we all gave everything. It was then put to me "How are we going to eat as we have no means to pay for anything?" A good question as we all realized it was a long time since we had last eaten. A short time later one of our team found twenty US dollars on the floor. With nobody else in the area at all it provided us with an opportunity for all of us to eat and drink.

God is our provider in all situations and if you are in a times of financial trials may I ask you to submit your heart and mind to the will of God, and not judge yourself through the legality of financial giving but allow yourself to grow in the grace of God and have a heart that is willing to give generously when you can.

I pray that as you have read this article that God through His Spirit has changed something in you that will be a release of financial pressures and burdens and that you will shortly see evidence of his wonderful provision.

For those who truly require a financial miracle then I am willing to stand with you in prayer.

With every blessing.