Everything in this world is governed by God’s law. We are not to try and legislate what has already been legislated. Our task is simply to apply God’s law to our everyday life. God expects everyone of us to increase in our abilities that He has given unto us. In other words, He wants us to be more productive. The Lord Jesus Christ said in Luke 19:15-19, "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities." God blesses us when we put our efforts in increasing what we have. When we are faithful, God gives us authority. Those who take responsibility will also exercise greater authority. In fact, authority flows to those who take responsibility. The market system which is undergirded by the Bible’s concept of private property allows us to increase our estates. We are to increase our net worth.
Application
To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.
The law of increase or tithing comes from Leviticus 27:30-32, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD. 31And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. 32And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD." Any increase that we receive because of productivity, a tenth of it is the Lord’s. This is how the kingdom of God is to be financed. A tithe is essentially a tax for God providing for our needs. It is also designed for us to keep in mind who our Lord and provider is.
Moses explained to those who were preparing to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land about wealth and increase in Deuteronomy 8:10-18, "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." We are not to forget the reason that we have the increase of wealth. A good way to do this is to tithe. It reminds us that the Lord is the one who has enabled us to increase our net worth. To not tithe, means that we will forget where our material blessings come from. We will begin to take credit for what God has provided.
Many today say that tithing is legalistic. If not ten percent, then how much should be given? Those who claim that it all belongs to God, nine times out of ten do not even give anywhere close to ten percent. Paul expected the Corinthian church would give in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." Paul knew that God would prosper Christians. Christians understand that this if their Father’s world. In other words, they work!
Conclusion
The law of God is one of likes beget likes. The same is true in the wealth realm. Paul understood this principle in 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God." Those who do not even tithe can expect to receive back less than those who are faithful to tithe their increases. Sparingly giving begets sparingly receiving. In other words, they will have less to give when they do so. God gets His tithe one way or another. Those who are faithful in tithing have the right to expect greater increases in the future.
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