TITHES AND OFFERINGS (MATTHEW 3:8-10)
Tithe is 10% of your total income. It is taken out, separated and given to the Church of Christ for the work of priesthood. It is a commandment from God to all His Children. It sanctifies your income thereby enabling you to accomplish more with the money. Besides, it causes God to rebukes the devourer for your sake.
On the other hand, offerings are freewill gift in appreciation for the work, which God has done and is doing in our lives. The kind of gift you give to a person determines how important the person is to you. It is very essential to bring something as an offering when we come into the presence of God. This demonstrates how much we appreciate Him and will ultimately determine how He responds to us. Someone once said “that if all failed, try giving an offering “. We read in the bible how men like David and Noah touched the heart of God through their offerings (2 Samuel 24:24; Genesis 8:20-22).
TYPES OF OFFERINGS
i. Freewill offering (Luke 6:38, 2Corintians 7:6)
ii. Collection and contribution (Exodus 35 :4-9, Acts 4:32-37)
iii. Giving to thr poor (Proverbs 19:17, Leviticus 23:22)
iv. Seed offering (Psalm 126:1-6)
v. Partnership (Philippians 4:15, Colossians 1:1-4)
vi. Prophetic seed (1Kings 17:7-16, Ezekiel 44:30)
vii. Others (Thanksgiving offering, offering at the alter, offering for dedication, offering for naming etc).
FIRST FRUIT (Proverbs 3:9-10, Exodus 34:26, Romans 11:16 Ezekiel 44:30)
The first fruit is the first and the best. It’s the first income or an addition you receive at a certain time, which could be at the beginning of the year or after promotion. It’s holy to God and it involves man’s life. The First Fruit concentrates all that concerns you including your finance to God for the period.
Giving your First fruit is a matter of life and it might be the life of your Family. Life of your business, the life of your education. Te First Fruit originated from God because God gave his First Fruit and the very best (John 3:16)