When we say, “I gave my tithe,” we are not exactly accurate. Tithing is not giving. The tithe (ten percent of our gross income) already belongs to the Lord. It’s not “my tithe” it is the Lord’s. We don’t “give” it because it belongs to God. You can’t give something that doesn’t belong to you.

Leviticus 27:30 (KJV)
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, [the tithe] is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.

The Tithe Is a Test

The ten percent extra we all get is a test as to whether we will choose to honor God, or the malignant principality of mammon. Passing or failing this test may well determine your future wealth.

In Malachi 3:8–12, God wants to be proved on this. In verse 10, He says, “Prove me …Tithing opens the windows of Heaven to your life, but offerings (giving beyond the tithe) are what provide you with the container to catch all the blessings God pours through those windows. Remember tithing is not giving. Giving is when you go beyond the tithe. We sometimes call it “seed planting,” remembering that when we plant seeds we expect a harvest.

Tithing opens the windows of Heaven, but when you give beyond that in offerings, you will receive a spiritual container proportionate to your offerings. If you give big, you will get a big container to catch the blessings being poured out. If you give a tiny bit, you’ll be given a tiny container for your blessings.

A Generous Attitude

If you have a generous attitude, and are liberal in your giving, you’ll get a huge spiritual truck to catch your blessings. If you have a stingy attitude in your giving, you may get a teaspoon to catch your blessings. It’s all up to you. Even Paul made the statement in the New Testament concerning giving and receiving:

2 Corinthians 9:6 (TLB)
But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much.

Is Tithing Optional?

Tithing is not optional. Giving (or “seed planting”), however, is optional, depending on what size harvest you want in the future.

The tithe belongs to the Lord already. But the rest is yours to do with as you please. If you use some of what’s left to give big, you’ll receive big personal wealth containers for the blessings.

I asked two thousand people for some volunteers one Sunday morning. I announced, “I want to conduct an experiment with two tithing families. I’d like for you to quit tithing for one year to see what happens. Can I get any volunteers?” Nobody–I mean nobody-volunteered.

Each person seemed to understand the starting point to radical wealth is the practice of tithing and then making offerings—then going beyond what they think they can do by making radical faith promises…and keeping them.

author Dave Williams