True Worship in Spirit & Truth: Understanding Tithes & Offerings

John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24] God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Deuteronomy 26:9 He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, "a land flowing with milk and honey"; 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.

A. Worship is an all encompassing, all inclusive experience. It is both spiritual and physical; temporal and eternal. It involves the total person, spirit, soul, body and even our possessions.

We must challenge ourselves to worship God in fullness and in the release of everything to Him. 

It is human nature to worship according to our own preferences and pleasures—like the Samaritan woman. However, the problem with such worship is that it is unbalanced and conveniently neglects that part of worship which is undesirable. 

God requires that we worship Him at two levels at all times: “In Spirit” and “In Truth.” 

“In Spirit” addresses the supernatural dimension of our walk with God and the transcendent nature of His presence 

“In Truth” addresses the practical, everyday actions we engage in obedience to the Truth. Jesus said, “Your Word is Truth.” 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (“your act of spiritual worship” -NIV). 

The Worship / Stewardship Connection

B. True worship involves the presenting of our tithes and offerings to God. We often treat offerings as an intrusion into the service. In reality, it is integral to our worship experience.

1. In giving of our tithes and offerings, we engage in a sacrificial act that shows our submission to God’s order.

The bringing of tithes and offerings has always been a part of the worship experience of God’s people. 

When we worship “In truth” then will we bring God our bodies and our substance. 

The fact that we pay tithes and give offerings is the proof of his submission to God. 

When the “Majii” or “wise men” came to worship Jesus after his birth, they brought sacrificial gifts. It would not have been true worship if they brought nothing. 

Remember, that if you have nothing to give, He accepts your willingness as an offering. 

Worship is a sacrifice. Every true sacrifice is costly and often uncomfortable. 

Worshipping God with the tithe and offering was established before the Law as the indication of Abram’s recognition of God’s provision.
Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19] And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20] And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.”