The 3 Most Common Tithing MistakesSample

Hey Friend!

Now that we have established giving our firstfruits, let’s make sure we are tithing with a right heart posture.

Mistake #2: Focusing on the Letter of the Law While Missing the Heart

The second common tithing mistake is getting so caught up in the mechanics of giving that we miss the heart behind it.

Jesus addressed this issue with the Pharisees in Luke 11:42: "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone."

God is more concerned with the state of our hearts and how we treat others than with mathematical precision in our giving.

The purpose of tithing goes beyond just supporting the church financially.

In Deuteronomy 14:22-23, we see that tithing was meant to teach the Israelites to put God first in their lives:

"Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always."

To avoid this mistake:

1. Reflect on your motivations for giving. Are you giving out of love for God and others, or just to check a box?
2. Look for ways to practice generosity beyond just financial giving.
3. Pray for God to cultivate a heart of compassion and justice alongside your tithing practice.

When we start putting these things into practice, we will begin to notice a change in our hearts and actions.

But don’t worry if you don’t notice the change right away. It may take some time for the change to really settle as God purifies our hearts.

So take heart, Friend! You are already on your way to cheerful giving!

See you tomorrow for our 3rd tithing mistake.