Contents

Introduction

1    God Has Always a Plan!

2    8 Truths About the Tithe

3    The Benefits of Tithing

4    Questions and Answers on Tithing

5    Tithing and Giving in the New Testamen

6    Commitment Means Obedience

7    The Tither's Prayer

Biography of Pastor Barnaby Baker

Introduction

God has a financial plan for his kingdom and those in it! He is interested in every aspect of your life—including your finances. In fact, Jesus Christ had a lot to say about money and finances and how we as Christians should conduct our financial affairs.

Many Christian people have said "Money is the root of all evil" and, as a result, these people virtually take a vow of poverty and make every one else suffer for being prosperous. The bible does not say that money is the root of all evil! Let's see what it does say...

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10

It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Money itself is neither good nor bad; it is the way it is used that makes the difference. Money has a hold on so many Christians. I have discovered that you do not have to have any money at all for it to have a hold on your life. In fact in most cases, this love of money is found in the lives of those who only have a little!

Poverty is a curse. God wants you to be blessed. But he wants to bless you for one reason, so you can in turn be a blessing. In recent years there have been those who have advocated prosperity for prosperity's sake. I believe that in these last days we will see a great abundance poured out in the church. Not so Christians can live it up, but so the Gospel can be preached!

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.

Genesis 12:2

Here God was speaking to Abraham. It is said that Abraham

became very rich! (Gen 13:2). The reason God blessed Abraham was so he in turn could be a blessing! If you are faithful to obey God's Word with the little you now have, God will give you more. Why should God give you $1000 if you are not obedient with the $10 you do have?

You will learn a principle in this book that will cause your finances to be used in a mighty way. Through this principle, you can achieve great things in the kingdom—and God will cause you to be mightily blessed. In this book you will discover the principle of God's kingdom that will release finances into your life—finances that will do you good and that you can do good with!

This principle is tithing. It is the financial tool that will see you prosper in the kingdom of God and cause you to be a blessing to those around you. It is one of the fundamental things that every Christian should know about and practise in their walk with God. I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you this essential kingdom truth as you study the Word of God in this area.

CHAPTER 1

God Has Always a Plan!

God always has a plan. Since the foundations of the world we know that God has had a plan for us! You are not here by accident. God has ordained that you be in His kingdom right now for a specific reason! Not only does God have a plan for your life, He has a plan for His church and for the advancement of His kingdom. God has a plan to finance the gospel. It is a plan that not only blesses the kingdom, it also blesses those who are involved!

God didn't tell us to finance His church by having cake stalls, bingo games, raffles, lotto, etc. They are not God's ways of financing the church; they are man's ways. You won't find any scriptural reference for bingo or raffles but you will find giving tithes mentioned in the Bible. The tithe is God's way of financing His church and causing the blessing to come to those who practise it.

Both the Greek and Hebrew words for tithe mean "a tenth or ten percent" (10%). Tithing, then, is giving ten percent of your income to God. This is one of the easiest things to do as a Christian. It does not matter how much or how little your income is, your sacrifice is exactly the same.

Ten percent of $100 is $10. Ten percent of $450 is $45. Ten percent of $25,000 is $2,500.

You will discover through this book that, as you pay the tithe, you will be mightily blessed.

God does not require anything of us for which there is no return. God is the ultimate business man. What you invest in Him will be returned to you many times over. You know this to be true with salvation. When you gave God your life, He in turn gave you His life, His peace, His joy and His power! The investment of your life, no matter what the condition of it, brought an incredible return! This principle of tithing is a fantastic tool that God uses to cause blessings in the Church and in individual lives. The investment of your tithe in the kingdom of God will bring incredible return to your life and cause the increase in the kingdom of God.

The first reference to tithing in the Word of God is in Genesis. This is about a man called Abram. (Later, God made a covenant with him and changed his name to Abraham).

Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

15He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

16So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.

17And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.

18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.

19And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

20And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. " And he (Abram) gave him a tithe of all.

Genesis 14:14-20

We see here that this man Abram gave Melchizedek, the high priest, ten percent of all his spoils from the victory.

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me,

and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,

21"so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.

22"And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.

Genesis 28:20-22

Here Jacob vowed that he would give the tithe, a tenth, unto the house of the Lord, for everything that God had given him.

We need to first understand that God gives us everything. Did God give you your job? "No, I went out and got that for myself." Wrong! God is working in everything that you do! He organised that job for you —you need to understand that—and there's nothing here on earth that was made that was not made by God. So we have to praise and thank God for everything that we have!

God gives to us and He’ll use our means of employment or anything else as a channel to bless the work of the Kingdom and us! Our entire life that we live here, is by the grace and the mercy and the love of God! Everything that we have is from Him.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

John 1:3

Tithing is a kingdom principle.

First of all, let's understand that these Scriptures are about events that took place at least 500 and perhaps up to 700 years before the institution of the Mosaic Law. This is important because some people will say that the tithe is under the Law. And that's done away with now because Christ has redeemed us from the Law. Therefore, we don't have to tithe any more. The truth, however, is that we will find that the tithe existed before the Law, during the Law, and long after the Law. Giving the tithe is a kingdom principle.

The Law was a period of time where God dealt with His people according to written laws. We have all seen Charlton Heston in "The Ten Commandments". That was when God gave his people a written law to live by.

God has dealt with his people in several different ways. First, there was the age of innocence. This was before sin came into the world through Adam and Eve. Man had no need of the law, he was innocent and did no wrong. Then came the Age of conscience, where man ruled his own destiny. This ended with Noah and the flood. After this were the ages of civil government, and promise or patriarchal rule. Then came the law with Moses. After this came the age of Grace through Jesus Christ. All previous ways that God dealt with His people had their downfalls. Man could not truly know or communicate with God because his sin separated him.

The Law was given to Moses to allow for judgment and to give a basis for man's acceptance by God. It was based on meeting all the criteria in the law. If you kept the law you were accepted. If you did not keep the law then you had to pay the penalty for your sin.

But praise God, the law was done away with when Jesus died on the cross, paying the price for your sins and thus fulfilling the requirements and penalties of the law. We are now ruled by the Spirit of God. The Bible tells us that we can hear the voice of God ourselves and walk in the new life He has given us. We are no longer ruled by laws written on stone, but by the Word of God written on our hearts by the Holy Ghost!

CHAPTER 2

8 Truths About the Tithe

In the following Scripture we find some interesting things to notice about tithing. It was given to the people during the age of the Law. However, we need to remember that the tithe is a Kingdom principle and not related to the law or any other age or dispensation.

"And it shall be, when you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it,

2"that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.

3 "And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ’I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the country which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us. ’

4"Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand

and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God......

10'and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.' Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God.

11"So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.

12"When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year; the year of tithing; and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled,

13"then you shall say before the LORD your God: 'I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.

14’I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me.

15Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, "a land flowing with milk and honey."

Deuteronomy 26:1-4,10-15

First of all, let's understand that here he's speaking to the people of Israel about entering into the promised land and, when they entered into the promised land, they were going to give the first fruit of that land to God. Today, as believers, do we still have to wait to enter into the promised land? No, we are already in the promised land and we entered it the moment we were born again! Therefore, the same principles apply: as the children of Israel went in and possessed the land, when we possess our salvation, so we come into this type of relationship with God. From that point on we should give our tithes to Him.

Many Christians are under the misconception that we will have the blessings of God in "the sweet by and by". People have said "When we get to heaven, that’s where the blessings will be poured out... Then we will have money enough!" I ask you, how dumb can people be and still breathe?! You will not need money in heaven!! No, the blessings of God are not for in heaven; they are for here and now!

So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,

30"who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

Mark 10:29-30

Jesus tells us that we will receive houses and lands (material wealth)... NOW in this time! The only thing we will need and want in the age to come is eternal life!

1. Give of the First Fruits

"...you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground..."

Deut 26:2

Some people have said "God took our last $10!" No, He didn't! God wants us to tithe on the first fruits. You should tithe FIRST! If people would understand the power of tithing it would indeed be the first thing that they do!

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Romans 11:16

As you tithe on the finances God places in your hand it makes the remainder of your finances blessed!!

Have you ever been paid on a Thursday and by the Tuesday all your pay has gone? To your horror you discover that you cannot even remember what happened to it all! You will see shortly that the Bible contains a promise in Malachi 3 that deals with this exact problem. The reason that finances slip through your fingers is that you are not tithing FIRST!

What you need to do is take your pay slip or pay packet and separate the tithe first. Set it aside. Our church, like many churches, provides an envelope specifically for this purpose. Pray the prayer at the back of this book over that amount and then, the first opportunity you have, put the tithe in the church.

2. Tithe Where His Name Abides

"...put it (the tithe) in a basket and go to the place where the Lord chooses to make His name abide."

Deut 26:2

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house..."

Malachi 3:10

The tithe belongs in the local church, the storehouse. But not just any church. The tithe belongs in the place where God chooses to make His name abide!

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20

If a church gathers in the Name of Jesus, then Jesus presence will be manifest in that place! If Jesus manifests himself in a meeting then there is POWER in that place. Healings take place, the unsaved are saved, miracles happen! A church that has God's stamp of approval for your tithes is one that is alive to the things of God. If nothing ever happens in your church and you are a member of "the first church of the chosen frozen" then get into a church where His name abides! Many people say, "Our church is good, there was that time back in 1956 when we really saw a move of God..." Notice that the Scripture said where He makes His name ABIDE... not once abode or occasionally or last year, but abide... A perpetual presence of the power of Jesus Christ! That is the kind of storehouse or church where your tithe should go.

3. Tithing Is Worship

"...Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God."

Deuteronomy 26:10

We see here that the bringing of the tithe is an act of worship to the Lord. God wants us to worship Him with everything that we have. As we worship Him with a tenth of all our increase, scripturally we are worshipping him with all our increase! All that you have belongs to God anyway... He is so gracious, He lets us keep 90% of it!

"And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days... "

Deut 26:3

Who is our high priest today? The Lord Jesus Christ. When we put our tithes and our offerings into the offering basket as it passes around, then we are presenting our offerings in worship to the Lord.

As we worship God with our tithes we will be mightily blessed. Tithing, like all kingdom principles, is based on our attitude. If you just pay the tithe out of religious duty or out of compulsion then you will not be blessed. Tithing is worship. We worship God with our tithe. We tithe because we love God and want to please Him. We tithe because we want to obey God and show Him where our heart is.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

20"but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

4. Give Offerings Beyond the Tithe

"When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year; the year of tithing; and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow... "

Deut 26:12

Every third year, according to the reference books I have seen, they had a year of special tithing, whereby they paid a tithe on their tithes.

Supposing you gave $1,200 a year for three years. This would add up to $3,600 over that time. In that third year you would give an extra $360, a tithe on your tithe, to the Levite (the five fold minister), the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. If we look back to the way the temple was set up we see that the priests in the ministry were well taken care of; they received the finance to do their job. Here, then, is an extra offering over and above the tithe which you could give to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. An offering to bless these people!

This is the only reference I find in the Word of God for the tithe being used to give to anyone other than to the house of the Lord, other than the people directly involved in the ministry. However it is

important to note that it is a tithe of the tithe... It is not the tithe itself.

Your tithes are for the storehouse, not to bless a visiting minister or buy tapes and books with. They are for the storehouse, the local church.

We don't see any further reference to using the tithe for any other purpose than this, and certainly there is no reference to it in the New Testament. If you paid a tithe on your tithe today, we would probably call it a love offering. The Bible teaches that it is important to give offerings over and above the tithe each week. You should look after those who minister to you, and those in need. Bless your pastor! Bless the visiting minister! Bless the widow!

5. Get the Tithe Out!

"then you shall say before the LORD your God: I have

removed the holy tithe from my house..."

Deut 26:13

You should separate the tithe as soon as you can and place it in an envelope. Then pay that tithe at the next church meeting! Don't have it hanging around your house... Get the tithe out and allow the blessings to come in!

Sometimes people go on holiday and, all the time they are away, the church gets no tithe from them. This is literally robbing God. As we will discover in the next chapter, we can actually bring a curse upon our life if we do not tithe!

If you are an employee, your company will pay you while you are on holiday each year. So, have you increased during that time?—YES! We need to remember that we tithe whenever we increase. That is the principle.

How blessed we are when people come and say "Pastor, we are going to be away for three weeks, but here is our tithe for those three weeks." These people know that they want to be blessed while they are away! Often they will put three cheques in three separate envelopes and mark each one for a different week.

These people will be blessed because their attitude is one of worship and wanting to please the Father.

6. Do Not Eat Your Seed!

"...I have not eaten any of it when in mourning..."

Deut 26:14

One of the worst things that you can do is to eat your seed. So many Christians miss out on God's abundance because they refuse to operate the simple principles of the Kingdom. When you tithe you allow God to bless you! When you don't tithe, God cannot bless you. It is not that He does not want to bless you, He does, but you have stopped that blessing from being released in your life through your disobedience.

If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

Isaiah 1:19

There are people who say, "We couldn't afford to tithe this week— we had to buy other things..." Do you know what you're doing? You're eating your seed! I know single mums in my church who are so faithful to tithe every week. These same people say to me "Pastor, if I don’t tithe I will run out of money by the end of the week. But if I tithe I have money left over!" They tell me that they do not know how it works—but it does! It is a kingdom principle!

Imagine you were a farmer with ten acres to plant and you needed ten kilos of seed to sow it, and you said, "Let's eat half of this. We'll grind this stuff down and bake ourselves same bread." How much would your field eventually produce? Your field would only yield to you what you sow. If you eat of your tithe, you are robbing God and you are robbing yourself.

7. Tithes Are Not for Unclean Use

"...nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use..."

Deut 26:14

Unclean use... Surely that must be hiring pornographic movies with my tithe, or buying a lotto ticket with it. Perhaps gambling with it... No. Unclean use is any use not specified in the Word of God. That means that if you buy your little girl a pair of school shoes with it...ITS UNCLEAN. If you buy tapes and books with it... UNCLEAN. If you use it to pay your bible school fees... UNCLEAN. Your tithe can only be used for one thing, to be given to God.

There are literally thousands of Christians who do not walk in the blessings of God because they refuse to obey the simple command of God! If we would do things His way we would be blessed!

8 Your Tithes Are Not for the Dead

"... nor given any of it for the dead....

Deut 26:14

Don't put your tithe into dead works. Before we gained full knowledge of God's Word in this area, we sowed some seed into dead places where the gospel was not really being preached. We felt sorry for them and thought that our financial gift would help. Well it probably did help them! But it really did very little for us. It was sowing into a dead work.

When you do that, you will not see the fruit of your tithing and giving. You won't see it multiply because it's sown into a dead work. It is not good soil to sow into.

I have said it before and I will say it again, find yourself a place where the Word of God is rich and powerful, where people are getting born again every week, not once a year, where the Word of God is richly dwelling in the hearts of the people, where families are being built up and people are being edified. That's where you sow your tithe!

If you were a farmer, would you just throw your seed anywhere? If you just took your seed and threw it all over the place, then some of it would go into the dam, some onto the road, and some onto your neighbour's property! The result would be no crop! We need to be good stewards over the finance that God places into our hands. Just giving to a work because you feel sorry for them is not good enough!

"But pastor, if I don’t stay in the church and give my tithes then the work will close down..." Then let the thing close down! If it is God, it will remain whether you are there or not! Some people stay with a sinking ship hoping to make a difference. They stay in a church where nothing happens and where the only thing that moves is the ivy on the walls! Their hearts may be right before God, but during this time they are dying spiritually! You are responsible before God to be in a church that feeds you and stirs you up to do the works of Jesus!

A diligent farmer prepares the soil, waters the crop and reaps the harvest. Your crop will arrive if you sow in the right way, in the right place.

If we would be obedient to God's word in the area of tithing, not only would the church be mightily blessed and the kingdom advanced, but we would also see the financial blessings released into our lives.

In my years as a pastor, I can be sure of one thing, tithing is a kingdom principle that works. It works for me; it works for those in my church; and it works for anyone in the kingdom of God who will dare to be obedient to his Word!

We need to be able to say...

I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me."

Deut 26:14

CHAPTER 3

The Benefits of Tithing

From the Word of God we can see that there are many many benefits and reasons to tithe. I have said before that God never expects you to invest in His kingdom without planning for a return on your investment. We have seen this to be true with salvation and true with tithing.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ’In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

9You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me,

Even this whole nation.

10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts;

Malachi 3:8-12

The nation of Israel, and much of the church today, was under a curse because they did not tithe.

We need to understand that if we don't pay our tithes and give even offerings to God; we are robbing God. You're not robbing man, you are robbing God and that's serious.

The tithe belongs to God. In fact until we've paid over and above the tithe, we have not given! The tenth part of all our increase belongs to God.

God tells us that if we withhold the tithe, we are cursed with a curse! Is that a curse that God gives you? No, you have cursed yourself because you are refusing to obey God and operate according to the Word of God.

Prove Me!

Did you realise the power of that statement? This is the only time God makes it—and it is to do with money. God is saying that the tithe works so well you can literally prove Him with it! As you are faithful to tithe you will be able to prove that God's Word works.

I have been a tither for most of my life. As a young boy I would tithe on my pocket money and then on my wage and, later on, every increase I received. Over that time I have seen God give me abundant favour and blessing.

When Louise and I were married, we were given $50,000 cash specifically to buy a house. We invested the money until we found the house we wanted. When it came time to buy the house we realised that we did not have enough money! So I put a ridiculous offer on the house, some $25,000 less than the already reduced asking price. The real estate agent was almost too embarrassed to present the offer. But I stood my ground and told him if he did not present that offer I would find someone who would. The very next day the agent came back and said that they had accepted the offer! We bought that home for less than the bank valuation of the property!

Time and time again we have seen God do miracles in our lives. A business man I knew told me one day that he had just bought a new business. One of the company assets was a $20,000 car. It had a lease residual of $5,000. He wanted me to have that car. I bought that $20,000 car for only $5,000!

Tithing works. I have proved it. Thousands of Christians are proving it every day. You can join with us and see the great benefits of tithing!

Devourer Rebuked for Our Sakes!

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes..."

Malachi 3:11

This is the only time that God tells us he will rebuke the devil for us. Under the New Testament it is up to us to keep the devil under our feet. We do this by walking in the victory God has given us through Jesus Christ.

As you tithe, God Himself rebukes the devourer for us! All we need to do is proclaim his defeat in our finances and walk in the abundance Christ has given us!

Your Hard Labour Will Bear Fruit

...So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground...

Malachi 3:11

If the devil could, he would destroy the fruit in your life. He would love to bring to nothing the work of your hands. But if you are a tither he cannot do it! You will prosper in your work place. The work of your hands will bring in much reward and you will be blessed!

Your Investments Will Prosper

"... neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field... "

Malachi 3:11 (KJV)

Your vine in your field is your investments. It is the money you have working for you. That finance will not cast its fruit before its time!

A man in our church sold his business and failed to tithe on the increase he had made in that sale. He invested that money in a special superannuation fund. You know, he came to me months later telling me that he was losing thousands of dollars a month in this fund and there was not a thing he could do about it. The money was locked away for years! I told him to repent of not tithing and start to tithe on his increase from that moment on. Within weeks that fund turned around and began to make money!

As a tither you could guarantee that your spirit-led investments will prosper you! Your houses will always bring in the best rent, your stocks

will only increase! Your business will only grow stronger and stronger!

CHAPTER 4

Questions and Answers on Tithing

Can I Borrow from the Tithe?

'If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it."

Leviticus 27:31

Yes. You can borrow from your tithe—but you MUST repay it!

People often say, "I've been holding my tithe. I haven't been able to get to church so we haven't given the tithe and I borrowed from it. What should I do?"

This reference in Leviticus says that if you borrow from your tithe, then you repay it with twenty percent interest. So, if you have to borrow from your tithe, then do it, but you add twenty percent when you pay it back. Say your tithe was $45. You missed church because you went away for the weekend—it was your wedding anniversary and you used $35 of your tithe to buy flowers for your spouse. If you do not pay that $35 back then you can be in the place where you have eaten of your seed. If you do that then you are not allowing the blessing to come into your life.

The solution—PAY IT BACK adding 20% to it. That means that you owe God $45 plus $7 which is 20% interest on the $35 you used. So your tithe for that week is now $52.

Obviously, the point here is don’t eat your seed. Sow and you will reap; there's no way around that law. If you only sow half the field, then you'll only get half the produce.

Do I Tithe on My Gross or Net Income?

You should tithe on your gross income. So, if your gross wage is $380 per week, that's $38 up front. No matter how much the government is going to take from you, give your tithe to God. If you operate on this principle, you are always going to have more than enough.

Remember the Scripture that tells us if the first fruit is holy the rest is also holy? I believe that as we tithe on our gross wage, God can cause even our taxes to be used for a godly use. I don't want my tax dollars going to fund some abortion clinic or government subsidised liquor outlet! I believe God that my taxes will be used in a godly way! Why? —Because I tithe!

I know people who have taken hold of this teaching and said, "If that’s what the Word says, I’m going to do it!" These people have been obedient to the Word of God and their business or income has begun to grow and grow. As they sow, so it grows. That's the principle.

Remember that the essence of giving has to do with attitude. If you give from a wrong heart attitude, you're going to hinder your crop. I remember reading about a guy who was so stingy, he used to deduct his travelling expenses for getting to church off his tithe! Needless to say, he was not going to be mightily blessed!

Should I Tithe on the Sale of Capital Assets?

No. You don’t have to tithe on the sale of capital assets. You tithe on increase. For instance: If you sell a house for $150,000, do you have to give $15,000? No, you need only to tithe on the increase.

This means that if you bought the house two years ago for $130,000 and you make $20,000 on it, you tithe on that increase. You would give $2000.

What About an Inheritance or Lump Sum Pay Out?

If Aunty Betty dies and leaves you $15,000, did you increase? Yes, nicely thank you very much Aunt Betty! So, what are you going to do? Give $1,500 to God!

In Australia, if someone is made redundant at work the company is required to pay them a redundancy package. This is usually a week's pay for each previous years work with the company. If you get such a pay out, you should tithe on it—It is increase!

No matter what the income is derived from, you should always pay tithes on an increase. Ask yourself... "Have I increased?"—If you have then you should tithe on that increase!

I Own a Business Should I Tithe on That Too?

Yes! Your business will prosper as you tithe on it. Many business men tell of how their business was going down the tubes until they started tithing. Now they have so much work they do not know what to do with it. One lady and her husband had their own business and she did the books. She told me that she could tell from the cash flow each month, whether or not she had tithed for that month!

Remember that you only tithe on the increase in your business. For instance, suppose you were a landscape gardener. You quoted for a job worth $5000. However, that job cost you $3000 in labour and materials. So your net profit was $2000. Your tithe would be $200 on that job.

I Occasionally Go to Another Church. Where Should I Tithe?

Verse 10 of Malachi 3 tells us that we are to bring the tithe into the storehouse. What is the storehouse. The storehouse is where you are fed. The storehouse is the local church.

Sometimes people are members of this church and occasionally go to another church as well, and they ask us, "Where should I give my tithe?" You are to give your tithe where you're fed! Suppose you have a local supermarket that you do all your main shopping from. This supermarket is where you supply all your families food needs. Then perhaps you go to the corner store for some extra milk. Who do you pay the most? The one who fed you the most!

Your tithe belongs to your local church. Any other ministry or church that supplements your spiritual diet should get an offering, NOT the tithe!

Remember that it is the person who is submitted to a local church that will be blessed. You need to spend the majority of your time submitted to ONE local church. There is nothing wrong with going to a special seminar or event at another church. However, if that becomes a regular thing then you should check to see where God wants you to be fed. God will not have you shepherded by two different shepherds. You should submit to one church and allow the man of God in that place to guide and lead you.

Do you realise that most of this is all common sense? Haven't you found out by now that God is practical? Sometimes you drive around and see a dear little old church with a big sign outside that says "Bingo Saturday Night" to raise money to put a new roof on the church. Do you realise that if the people going to that church operated according to the Word of God, they would never need to use these methods to raise money?

The main reason that you see churches falling to pieces today is that the Word is not being promoted in every area. It's the Word of God that will prosper the people. People have come into this fellowship in a down and out condition, but they heard the Word and began to give and then God's Word prospered them in every area. They have had that poverty mentality broken and begun to see the truth in God's Word!

God's Word works. If you are obedient to His Word, then you will see the results. Tithing is not a curse, it's a blessing!

I Do Not Have a Local Church, Where Should I Tithe?

Often in Australia, we come across people who live in remote areas. They do not have a local church that feeds them. In this instance they should tithe to the ministry or ministries that do feed them. I know of a couple who would get Kenneth Copeland cassettes and video's. That was the source of their spiritual food. Although not a church, they tithed to that ministry and were mightily blessed. We need to always remember that it is our attitude that matters. In the next chapter we will see clearly that the New Testament challenges our attitude in giving. If you are giving and tithing because you want to be a blessing to those who feed you spiritually then you will be blessed!

Why Do Churches Take Up Two Offerings?

In our church we always take up our normal tithes and offerings. If we have a visiting minister that day then we will take up a second offering for him as well. Some people have asked why we don't just give him $50 instead.

Well, firstly, most visiting ministries live off the income they get from the offerings received in a church. How would you like to feed your family and pay all your bills with $50?! Church, we need to have an attitude of generosity!

We believe that the minister is worthy to receive the finances we receive for them. In fact, in our church we will usually add a tithe of our general offering to the visiting minister's offering as well. You see, as a pastor, I want to make sure that the other members of the fivefold ministry, minsters of God, are well looked after.

I have travelled and been to churches where I've preached my heart out, seen a great move of God only to have the Pastor pat me on the back and say, "well done son, we needed that..." and then he takes me to McDonalds for dinner and thinks that he has done me a favour! He didn't think that I had just flown 400 kms to be there and payed all my own lodging expenses! In such times I thank God that I was able to be a blessing to the people. However, the sad thing is that unless there is a change of heart attitude in the place, that which was started will eventually die out.

It is indeed time that we obeyed the voice of God and obeyed what the bible says about giving to the man of God.

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

18For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The labourer is worthy of his wages."

1 Timothy 5:17-18

Those who rule over your spiritual well being should be honoured financially. Even the ox got to partake of the fruit of his labour!

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Galatians 6:6

The reason we take up the extra offering is because we want to be sure that those who are taught and receive from a ministry gift have me opportunity to sow back. That is what this Scripture is saying to us. As you sow financially into the life of a man of God, you are having a part to play in seeing them achieve what God has placed on their heart. Give to the work of God. Give to the man of God. Do it willingly and be blessed!

I Pastor a Church, Should My Church Tithe?

Yes. The church can receive the blessings of God the same as a business and individuals can. We can find some references in the Bible to the Levites, who were the caretakers of the church, tithing. But even if we had no specific Scripture, we know that the church can operate in this area because tithing is a kingdom principle.

The church I pastor tithes on its income to other ministries and into the lives of specific ministers as the Lord directs. As a result we have seen great financial breakthroughs.

Tithing Works!

A man in our church recently received a large sum of money from a personal injury insurance claim. He brought in the tithe on that amount and within three days his lawyers phoned him up and said we are returning $50,000 to you in fees because we feel that we have overcharged you! Of course he came in with a tithe on that, too! You see, when God blesses you should tithe. God will use anything to bless you. If you are faithful to tithe then God will see to it that your finances will remain blessed.

We have people in our church who were facing bankruptcy and yet today are nearly totally debt free! They achieved this by operating in the principles of the kingdom.

I know of a tither in our church who had thousands stolen from his bank account in credit card fraud. Usually this kind of thing is very difficult to get back. However within seven days he had all the money back in his account!

Sadly, I recently read of a lady in another church who received a large inheritance. The devil managed to convince her that the tithe was too much to give to her church and she should just invest all her inheritance in stocks and shares etc. That lady was weeping in her pastors office just a few months later, totally destitute. She lost all that she had. If only she had operated in the principle of tithing.

Remember—You should give on your increase, whatever it is.

CHAPTER 5

Tithing and Giving in the New Testament

Jesus had a lot to say about money. He was concerned about people's finances. In fact, there was one time when he stood over the offering bucket and watched to see how much people were putting in! Jesus rebuked people for giving in the wrong way, with the wrong attitude.

You see, the New Testament brings a whole new way of looking at the commands of God. It brings the life of the Spirit. No longer do we serve God from religious duty, we now minster to Him out of love.

"who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life..."

2 Corinthians 3:6

I cannot stress to you enough the fact that even with tithing and giving, what really matters is HOW not WHAT you give. Your attitude will make all the difference. The letter of the Law in tithing will kill the seed that is sown. If you tithe purely out of religious duty you will not see the benefits of that in your life. The Scriptures in the New Testament to do with tithing and giving are all in line with this statement. It is the Spirit that brings life to what you do. If you tithe and give out of a heart that wants to please God you will be blessed. If not, then you are wasting your money!

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Matthew 23:23

Jesus is picking on the Pharisees because they tithed on everything —even down to the herbs used in their cooking! But they neglected the weightier matters of the law. Once again Jesus is bringing in the freshness to our walk with God. He was saying that tithing is wonderful and you should do it! But don't think that because you do that you are exempt from walking as a Christian in other areas.

One of the most incredible teachings on finances Jesus gave is in the gospel of Luke:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom...

Luke 6:38 (KJV)

Have you noticed that sometimes when you buy a big box of cereal and open it, it's only half full because the contents have settled down in transit? The measure Jesus tells us we will receive as we are faithful to give has already been shaken right down, pressed down and is still overflowing! God is not stingy! When we get involved with the things of God, and give to Him, He gives us back abundance!

God's Not a Counterfeiter!

Now don't start praying and looking under the bed for God to give you a suitcase of $100 bills. God is not in the counterfeiting business! He said that men will give to you. You will be rewarded, you'll get an increase in pay or your business figures will begin to escalate. I know people who every week save $20-$60 on their shopping bill because the Lord directs them to places where everything they need is on special!

Luke 6:38 goes on to say, "...For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Remember, if Jesus said that when we give, we shall receive, and if He's going to give us an abundance, it would mean that we would have to sow abundantly.

The devil wants to keep the Body of Christ in a state of poverty because if Christians are poor, then the churches will be poor. As a result, the ministry cannot grow, the Word cannot go out, and the devil will keep captive those whom the power of God can set free!

Breaking the Back of Poverty

Some people have criticised me for the way I minister on finances in our meetings. But I know the blessings that have come to people as they hear the Word of God on this important subject! I will not back down from preaching tithing and giving any more than I will from preaching salvation and receiving the Holy Spirit!

I know that I am called of God to break the back of the spirit of poverty in the Body of Christ in this nation. As finances are brought into the kingdom then we will see the power of God reach this nation for Jesus!

The gospel is a free message, but it costs to convey that message. This book you are reading, and receiving revelation from, cost money to produce. The church speaker system that amplifies your pastors voice so you can hear the Word cost money. The crusades we conduct and seminars we hold cost money to put together and run.

Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

Hebrews 7:8

This is a reference written some 35 years after the beginning of the New Testament Church. We can see that tithes were still received during this time.

In this fellowship, whenever we receive tithes and offerings, we present them to our high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is true that men receive them for the work of the ministry here, the upkeep of the building, the staff, etc. But in reality it is the Lord who receives it. When you give your tithes, you are giving to God.

More Than 80% of Christians Fail to Tithe

It is a sad fact but, generally, only 18% of Christians tithe. That means that churches today should have at least 80% more finances than they currently have. It also means that more than 80% of the body of Christ is missing out on the blessings God has for them!

It amazes me how people will literally fight to not be blessed. "Oh don’t preach that prosperity to me brother... I don’t want any money! I don't want to be blessed..." They are literally stopping the kingdom of God from advancing the way it should.

Think about what your church is currently achieving. It is probably seeing people saved every week and reaching out doing a great job in the Kingdom. Now think what MORE your church could do if it had 80% more finances available. Think how many more people could be reached, how many more missions trips could be done, how many more pastors could be employed—The Kingdom must advance!

People Who Make Soap Are Just After Your Money.

The excuses people use for things are often amazing.... A Presbyterian Pastor wrote this piece for his parish newspaper parodying the time worn excuses people give for not attending church.

Eight Reasons Why I Never Wash...

•    I was made to wash as a child

•    People who wash are hypocrites; they reckon they are cleaner than other people

•    There are so many different kinds of soap. I could never decide which one was right

•    I used to wash, but it got boring so I stopped

•    I still wash on important occasions, like Christmas and Easter

•    None of my friends wash

•    I'm still young. When I am older and have got a bit dirtier I might start washing.

•    The people who make soap are just after your money.

God is not just after your money. He is after all of you! Most ministers are called men and women of God who live with integrity before God and do a wonderful work in the Kingdom. Of course there will always be those who are nothing more than con-men. But do not throw the baby out with the bath water!

Just because one bank manager runs off with $10,000 from his bank, does not make every banking institution and every bank manager bad!

Trust God and put your money in a place where God is moving and you will be blessed. If you don't think that your pastor has the brains to know what to do with your $12.83 cents each week then why do you trust him to successfully navigate your soul across the vast expanse of life?!

The Apostle Paul Taught on Giving

If you think that pastors and ministers today take too long at offering time then you would have hated being under the apostle Paul's ministry! Paul really spent some time taking up an offering! He prepared the ground.

"Now about the offering that is [to be made] for the saints—God's people [in Jerusalem]—it is quite superfluous that I should write you; For I am well acquainted with your willingness—your readiness and your eagerness to promote it —and I have proudly told about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia [most of Greece] has been prepared since last year for this contribution; and [consequently] your enthusiasm has stimulated the majority of them. [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously and that blessings may come to someone, will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves [that is, He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things and is unwilling to do without] a cheerful [joyous, prompt-to-do-it] giver—whose heart is in his giving."

2 Corinthians 9:1-2,6-8 (Amplified)

We can see in this scripture that the main teaching is in the area of attitude. It is your attitude that makes the difference when you give to God.

God wants us to come to the place where we are self sufficient and self supporting. God wants us to get to the place where we can be led by the spirit of God to bless others! Financial blessing in the life of a Christian means that he or she can bless others. What are you going to do when you see a need in the kingdom and you don't even have enough to buy dog food?

The Ministry of Hints

Notice that I said "led by the Spirit.." Some people sit down with others who they know are being blessed financially and say, "Isn't it wonderful how God is blessing you financially? We've been believing

God for $300....." (hint, hint), Hey, that's not moving in the Spirit, that's

moving in the flesh. You're not going to be blessed by doing that. If you have needs, take them to God! He is the source of your supply, not Mr Big Bucks! We don't have to operate by the ministry of hints! If you are in genuine need let God speak to the hearts of the people. God wants you to have more than enough, an abundance—how do you do that— not by asking the brethren for a handout, but by operating according to the principles of God. Use your faith and ask GOD! If your faith is not at that place then go to the leaders of the church and have them agree with you.

I have come across people who think that the sole purpose of the church is to support lazy good-for-nothing Christians, who have never done a decent day's work in their life! I want to tell you that the church has to be a good steward over its finances!

I don't mind helping someone in genuine need, but when the same people come again and again wanting a handout then there is a problem! We have a system, like most churches, for supporting those on low incomes. We can supply food and clothing etc. for people in genuine need. It is a shame, but some Christians abuse such a system. They literally take the church for a ride. You find out that they don't even want to work to support their family, they are content to live off hand-outs. Now this may be fine for the new Christian for a period of time. But the Bible urges us all to grow and mature. Contrary to what some believe, living this way is not living "by faith"!

... But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8

If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Blessed to Be a Blessing!

"And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your resources for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity].

Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, [and your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God."

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (Amplified)

God provides both the seed for the sower and bread for eating. Notice again the distinction between that which is to be sown and that which is to be consumed! Do not eat your seed! As you sow finances into the kingdom you will actually become more fruitful in every area of your Christian walk. You will be blessed in "every way" and that includes finances. Why? "so that you can be generous". You are going to be blessed as you pay your tithes and give so you can do more! Give more! Advance the kingdom more! Bless and worship God more!

Prepared to Give

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

2On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Paul gave a lot of instruction concerning offerings. He was not ashamed at taking up offerings. Why was he not ashamed? Because he knew the scriptural laws. He knew that God wanted to bless the ministry and finance the churches by the giving of offerings. He was very matter of fact about it. He didn't say, "I'm coming up, but I don't expect to receive anything. I’ll just do a few things around the place and if you could just help me out with the odd meal, and perhaps a bed around the place, I’d be real pleased."

No, he said, "Before I come, you get the whole thing organised, because I don't want to spend time when I get there teaching your people on how to give. You can teach them how to give so that when I come, I'm going to bring the Word of God and there will be abundance for me to continue in my ministry."

Before we have a visiting speaker here, one thing we'll do is come to a financial understanding with them. We'll make it very clear that we will take care of their accommodation and airfare and whatever else, so they won't have to be concerned about that. Then we give them an offering over and above just taking care of their needs. When we do that, we're sowing into other ministries.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

We should come to church already prepared to give. We have seen that we should have separated our tithe when we are paid or receive an increase. So many times I see people get out the cheque books and nudge their spouse and have this fast and almost heated discussion on what to give...! You should have already prepared at least a part of your giving before you come to church, your tithe. Purpose in your heart what you are going to do. Do it cheerfully and know that God loves it as you obey Him!

Listen to the Spirit of God

Many times in a service the Holy Spirit will tell you what to give over and above the tithe. Your tithe should be already prepared. However, we are also usually called on by God to give a little extra. Often the first time people hear the voice of God is during the offering time. You should be prepared for this too. Do what God directs. Don't fight Him—obey Him! Remember that if you are faithful with what you have you will be given more!

I like what my good friend Rodney Howard Browne says: "If you get two amounts, the big one is of God and the small one of the devil. If you are still confused then add the two together and give that!"

CHAPTER 6

Commitment Means Obedience

Oral Roberts said these words, and I believe they're worth noting. "The tithe today is not a debt we owe, but a seed we sow." It will produce the blessings for us as we are obedient to His Word. Do you know you're not really, committed to the things of God until you're obeying His Word? There are blessings in obedience and one of the ways that you can be blessed is through the tithe.

Philippians 4:19 says, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Many of us know this Scripture and we've quoted it, but have we looked at the preceding verses?

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

15Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

16For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

18Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God...

Philippians 4:10-19

Paul is saying, "My attitude is this: I do have some needs, but I'm not sharing this with you so I can have my needs met, because my God supplies all my needs—but I want you to be involved with this so that fruit will abound to your account."

Paul is telling us that our giving of tithes and offerings will abound to our account. The reason why verse 19 works is because the Philippian church had given! They had obeyed God's Word and could claim the benefit this afforded to them. If you aren't operating according to the Word of God, then you will not reap and God will not supply all your needs. Why? He cannot do it because He cannot operate outside His laws.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."

Galatians 6:7

That's a law: sow, and you will reap. Don't sow, you will not reap. We need to know that the Word of God brings us freedom! The Word of God brings liberty and causes us to live a life that is blessed of God!

The Word of God must become our final authority. I believe that giving the tithe is a scriptural thing to do. I know that it has helped our church and my life personally. I believe in tithing. Had we not been tithing as a family, Louise and I would never have seen the blessings of God poured out in our lives the way we have. Tithing is a principle, a key, that will unlock Heaven's riches for you, for your church and the kingdom of God.

Commitment Means Obedience

The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 10:22

If you have never been a regular tither, then let God speak to you right now concerning this area of Christian growth. This must be a decision that is made with the heart not the head. If the only reason you begin to tithe is because you want to be blessed, or because you are fearful about what will happen if you do not tithe, then this principle will not work for you!

As we have seen, under the New Covenant, it is our heart attitude that matters. It is HOW we give that makes the difference. I urge you to give the tithe because you know within your heart that it is the right thing to do. Do it because you desire to make a difference in your life, in your church and in the kingdom of God!

10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts;

12"And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:10-12

Now separate your tithe and pray the prayer in the next chapter over those finances.

CHAPTER 7

The Tither's Prayer

Father I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. As a born again believer I know that it is your will that I tithe to my local church. I bring this tithe before you now and declare before you all these things.

I declare that this is the whole tithe. It is ten percent of all my increase and I offer it to you freely, not out of compulsion or grudgingly. I cheerfully and joyfully give this tithe to you and to the ministry you have placed me in.

I pray for my church. I thank you, Father, that you will cause this ministry to be blessed through my giving, that my church will always have more than enough to accomplish all you ask them to do. I thank you for the privilege I have of being able to do my part to achieve this in your kingdom.

I pray for my finances. I thank you that because I am a tither I can claim the blessings this gives me. I thank you that the devourer is rebuked for my sake. Satan I enforce your rebuke as I am obedient to the Word of God in the area of tithing. I declare to you that my finances are now holy before God and you cannot touch them. You can not steal from me, for to do so would be stealing from the very hand of God. I have placed everything in His hands. The Bible tells me that because the first fruit is holy so all I posses is now holy and you cannot touch it in Jesus name!

I thank you, Father, that everything I set my hand to will prosper according to your Word. I thank you, Father, that all my needs are met

according to your riches in glory. I thank you, Father, that I can prove you this day, that tithing and giving works. I know that the window of blessing is open in my life and I receive all that you have for me now. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Biography of Pastor Barnaby Baker

Pastor Barnaby Baker is the founder and senior pastor of The Lord’s Sanctuary in Rockingham, Western Australia. This is a growing and dynamic church located 45 mins south of Perth. His ministry reaches around the globe through teaching cassettes, books, seminars, Revival crusades and "Life in the Spirit" Magazine.

Born again at the age of four and filled with the Holy Spirit at the age of five, Barnaby grew up in church nearly all his life. His father, Dr Brian Baker was the founder and pastor of one of the largest charismatic churches in Australia. Barnaby has worked extensively in all areas of ministry on a full time basis since the age of 17.

He has a powerful preaching ministry which calls Christians back to the discarded values of the past and into a deep and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. He ministers in a way that releases the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit. A strong evangelistic thrust is evident as many are saved, healed and set free in the meetings. Signs and wonders always follow the ministry of the Word.

His call for people to return to living lives of complete trust in God provokes people to action and causes them to be open for the direction of the Holy Spirit to lead them into areas of prayer, faith, giving and the many other necessary facets of our Christian walk.

From dynamic and inspiring preaching to in depth teaching of vital doctrines, Barnaby presents the gospel of Jesus Christ with humour and conveys the love and compassion of Christ. He is able to stir the hearts of all who receive him.

Pastor Barnaby is married to Louise, a gifted and anointed psalmist. They have 2 children—Barnaby Jr and Evangeline.

The Tithe, A Kingdom Principle

Many Churches today are operating from the bottom of the barrel. The most common complaint from pastors everywhere is that they do not have enough finance to accomplish what God called them to do. Christians today have an incredible opportunity to invest in the mighty kingdom of God. Every investment that God requires of us, will bring a return to our lives.

Pastor Barnaby Baker shows from the Word of God, our responsibility in the area of giving tithes and offerings. In this book you will discover that God has a plan to finance His kingdom and bless those who participate in it.

In this book you will discover the eight truths about the tithe and the benefits of tithing. All your questions on the tithe will be answered! This book will be a blessing to you and your church as you learn how to tithe correctly.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 God Has Always a Plan!

2 8 Truths About the Tithe

3 The Benefits of Tithing

4 Questions and Answers on Tithing

5 Tithing and Giving in the New Testamen

6 Commitment Means Obedience

7 The Tither's Prayer

Biography of Pastor Barnaby Baker