Tithing
One of the things closely related to God being our Provider is the topic of tithing. It says in Malachi 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
I think that tithing is simply putting God first in our lives, especially in our finances. With our tithe we are telling God that we trust that He will provide for us with the remainder. It is tempting when we work, and bring home a paycheck to look at that money as our money, that we earned. But tithing is God’s way of reminding us that our money comes from Him, and ultimately is always His. Scripture tells us to tithe, not because the church needs the funds, but because it is important that we be givers, and not just Christians with a greedy, me first attitude.
It says in 2 Corinthians 9:7
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in allthings, may have an abundance for every good work.
This is true for much more than just our money. We should be givers of our time, and our skills. What God gives us, we should always be ready to give back, as He desires.
I can remember many times that I had to make a decision between paying my tithe and paying a bill, and I can honestly say that every time, God provided the money for the bill, when I put Him first with the tithe.
A tithe is generally recognized to be a tenth of our income, but more important than how much we give, it is important to remember that it is ultimately about putting God first in our finances, and when we do, He promises to provide, every time.