God has never needed human money.
He is the source of life, breath, health, and favorable circumstances.
Before a person earns money, God first gives life, strength to work, and the conditions that allow one to produce and enjoy wealth (Acts 17:25; Deuteronomy 8:18).
Money does not come before God; it comes from God.
To think that God needs our money is to forget that the earth and everything in it belong to Him (Psalm 24:1).
In the Old Covenant, the tithe was never a means of personal enrichment.
It was connected to the Levitical priesthood and was intended as an instrument of social justice.
Scripture states this clearly:
“In the third year, you shall separate another tenth part of all the things which spring forth for you at that time, and you shall store it within your gates. And the Levite, who has no other portion or possession with you, and the sojourner as well as the orphan and the widow who are within your gates, shall approach and eat and be satisfied, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the works of your hands which you shall do.” (Deuteronomy 14:28–29)
From the beginning, offerings were therefore meant for the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the foreigners (Deuteronomy 26:12).
Today, there are no longer Levites, the temple no longer exists, and the New Covenant imposes no mandatory percentage.
Jesus never commanded His disciples to tithe, and the apostles never set a fixed rate.
The principle of Christian giving is clear:
“Each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver.”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Yet it is regrettable—and spiritually serious—to observe that, in some contexts, money from tithes and offerings is used to build luxurious houses and acquire expensive possessions, while the poor, the orphans, the widows, and refugees are neglected.
Scripture condemns every form of spiritual greed and reminds leaders to serve without pursuing dishonest gain (1 Peter 5:2–3; 1 Timothy 3:3).
An offering that does not relieve human suffering has lost its biblical purpose.
A church that grows rich in the midst of misery has drifted away from the heart of the Gospel (James 1:27).
In the Bible, the “foreigner” is not a mere visitor.
He is a displaced person, living outside his land, without protection or security.
In today’s context, it is right to understand that the biblical foreigner corresponds to modern-day refugees
(Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:18–19).
Jesus personally identifies Himself with these vulnerable people.
He declares:
“I was a stranger, and you took me in.” (Matthew 25:35)
And He adds:
“Amen I say to you, whenever you did this for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
To serve the poor, the orphans, the widows, and the refugees is to serve Christ Himself.
God therefore does not want your money.
He wants your heart—your compassion and your justice (Micah 6:8).
True offering is not measured by amounts given, but by lives restored, dignity renewed, and love put into action.
PRAYER:
Lord God,
You who are the source of all life and every good gift,
purify our hearts from greed and religious illusion.
Teach us to give according to Your heart, to recognize Your face in the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the refugee,
and to serve You by serving the least.
May our faith be living, just, and compassionate,for the glory of Your name.
Amen.
Apostle Dr Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA