God First

The word “tithe” is derived from the Hebrew word “ma’aser,” and it literally means a tenth. In Malachi 3:10-11, God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house.” The tithe is more than about giving, it is about being obedient to God. To tithe is to give a tenth. If God blessed you to earn $10, then you keep $9 and God receives $1. If you receive $100, then you keep $90 and God receives $10. If you receive $250, then you keep $225 and God receives $25, etc.

Remember, giving comes from the heart. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). We should “not reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God does not want anything that does not come freely and joyfully. For 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that “God loves a cheerful giver.”

God is the source of all of our blessings. Everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). The tithe, 10% of our income, therefore is merely giving back to God what He has given to us. Offerings, then, are any generous giving that you do over and above your tithe.

Step 1 – Pray. Never begin anything without first praying to God and asking for God to guide you on your tithing journey.

Step 2 – Read Malachi 3:8-10 and then pray again.

Step 3 – Sign-up for God First – 90 Day Tithe Challenge. Once you complete the online form, this lets us know your intent to participate so that we can keep your finances separate from the church’s general funds. It also gives us your agreement with God and Dare to Imagine Church to begin the God First – 90 Day Challenge.

Step 4 – The last step is to sign-up for online recurring giving to begin giving regularly 10% of income over the next 90-days. To do so, please download Dare to Imagine’s app by texting D2i to 34000 or setting up your recurring giving at d2ic.org/give.

Dare to Imagine will carefully and confidentially track each gift in order to provide each giver with an end of the year report on their contributions by request.

Tithing carries multiple facets that will benefit your life.

First – God promises to “open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you.”

Second – Jesus tells us that if we look after God’s Kingdom first, that He will provide for our physical needs.

Third – When you decide to become a percentage giver, you create margin in your life. By choosing to live on a lesser percentage of your income, when difficult situations and circumstances arise God and that margin will carry you through.

Fourth – You will receive a tax benefit. At the end of the year, Dare to Imagine will email your 2021 donations so you can receive a tax deduction when you file your taxes, your charitable donations are tax-deductible.