Why do I give?
Giving is one of the key ways we worship God. Throughout Scripture, we see that God gave. As we seek to become more like Christ, we will grow in our giving. By partnering our monies together, God’s work is done more effectively. Even Paul recognized this in the newly formed churches of the New Testament. He tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.”
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
What is a tithe and what is an offering?
Tithe
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
-Malachi 3:10-
A Tithe is a mathematical term and literally means 10%. We are stewards, not owners, of what God has entrusted to us. Therefore, tithing is bringing back what is God’s to God, and He entrusts us with the remainder to use appropriately. Jesus said that we ought to bring the tithe.
Offering
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
–Matthew 23:23-
Any amount above 10% is considered an offering to God. This type of giving is over and above the tithe and should be done with cheerfulness.