Did you know one of the biggest non-tithers in the Bible was King Saul. No one wants Saul to be an example for their life! In 1 Samuel 15, the nation of Israel “smote” the Amalekites and beat them in battle, and took all their sheep, oxen, and lambs. God told the people through Samuel the prophet to sacrifice every single one of those animals to the Lord.
This would have been Saul’s tithe, his firstfruits, and it would have opened the door to so many victories going forward. But Saul withheld offering the animals to the Lord and held them back and kept the best ones. He sacrificed the sick and weak animals, but kept the best ones for himself. Not only was it greed and immaturity, it was actually rebellion. One of the issues of being a non-tither is that you are a rebel to God and His Word.
The instruction from God was clear – sacrifice all the animals, but Saul ignored that and tried to give an offering that was in disobedience to God’s instruction.
What God says to Saul next through Samuel is exceptionally powerful, and everyone who is giving 1% or 3% or 9% of their income and calling it their tithe, or paying their Bible College fees and calling it their tithe, or throwing the smallest note in their wallet in the bucket when it pases, needs to hear these words and consider them very carefully:
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15.22-23, NLT)
A rebel will not tithe. They will not obey God’s Word and tithe. They will sacrifice but they are not obeying God’s command to give 10 percent. It’s an outward show of obedience but it is sheer rebellion to God. Don’t be the next Saul, hear His Word and submit to His commands!
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