It does not matter if you give online or at church, this is an act of personal worship. “But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also” - 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NASB). When we willingly set aside the first part of our income for the local church, our hearts will be turned toward Him.  "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" - Matthew 6:21 (NASB).

God tells us present to him our Tithes and Offerings, but what exactly does that mean? There is a distinct difference between tithes and offerings. They are mentioned separately throughout the Bible, even though the Lord required both to be brought to Him.

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tithes

All of us are to give back to God 10% of what he gives us. The tithe, which is 10% of our income, belongs to God, and usually it goes to the church where you fellowship – unless you have a clear word from God to do otherwise. (Malachi 3:10)

 

God has given us an abundance to see how we are going to deal with it. This is a test to see if He can entrust us with more significant riches. Abundance is given that we might share (2 Cor 8:13-15)

 

Some people claim they cannot afford to tithe. This is the most common problem which hinders scriptural giving. Many have unwisely spent and have incurred debt beyond what they can reasonable pay. The truth is you cannot afford to fail to tithe. Financial giving to God along with biblical principles of finance is the road back to financial well-being. The most basic principle to financial recovery is to honor God with your tithe first!

 

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

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offerings

This is over and beyond our tithes, not in place of it. Offerings can be almost anything (ie Money, Food, Clothes, Supplies, etc) that God can use for his purpose or it can be just a giving to a special something that you see is needed.

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there is a difference

There is a difference between TITHES and OFFERINGS, not only in language but most especially in spirit. A TITHE means ten percent of all benefits that come our way, such as, our salary, inheritance, gifts and even the interest one might earn on bank accounts, etc. The OFFERINGS given unto the Lord God need to be over and above your ten percent TITHE; meaning, once you have given your TITHES, now you have the freedom to graciously give your OFFERINGS as you are directed and made aware of by The Spirit of God as to the particular need or needs, that are presented to you through the Church, Fellowships, Mission Groups, and other Christian Ministries.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New American Standard Version Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation