How much of what we possess did God give us?

“He himself gives all men life and breath and EVERYTHING else.”
—Acts 17:25.

“Remember the LORD your God, for it is HE who GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE WEALTH.”
—Deuteronomy 8:18.

The crucified and risen Lord invites us to share with Him in extending the gospel to others. How much does he ask us to give to finance that divine mission?

“‘Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.’ But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ ‘In TITHES AND OFFERINGS. . . . 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 you will not have room enough for it.’”
—Malachi 3:8-10.

Tithe is a “tenth” of our “increase” (Deuteronomy 14:22, KJV; Genesis 28:22). For the farmer or merchant the increase is income after deducting business expenses. For the employee, it is the total wage. The principle of tithing is a moral principle because it involves character. By failing to tithe we “rob” God. It is as important for us to be honest in returning our tithe to God as we are in paying taxes to the government or in handling any other transaction.