Tithing (giving one-tenth of one’s increase) to the Lord is established in God’s Word as a basic law of God’s prosperity. In making the tithe our minimum, we open the floodgates for prosperity to ourselves, and we help make available the knowledge of God to others. We also have the joy of giving above and beyond the tithe, which we call abundant sharing. Abundant sharing is a heart-motivated commitment to freely share of our abundance out of love for and thankfulness to God. Two main purposes for abundantly sharing are so that God’s people may give and thus receive the subsequent blessings, and so that the necessary financial and physical means are provided to help move God’s prevailing Word.
When God’s people are afforded the opportunity to give, they can receive blessings for doing so.
Philippians 4:16,17:
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
We see that Philippians 4:19 is set in this context of abundant sharing.
Philippians 4:19:
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Our physical need is guaranteed to be met when we faithfully tithe, so when this verse indicates that God promises to supply all our need, it goes beyond our physical need. “All our need” includes any spiritual need we may have. As we abundantly share in our walk—along with studying the Word daily, speaking in tongues, fellowshipping with like-minded believers, and witnessing—we can expect spiritual riches, including growing in our understanding of God’s Word.
As we obey God’s Word and freely share of our abundance, our spiritual needs are supplied according to the riches, the wealth and abundance, of His glory in Christ Jesus. In addition the necessary financial and physical means are provided to move God’s prevailing Word.
When the Church of Grace was first starting out, as recorded in the Book of Acts, believers gave of their financial abundance to provide the necessary financial and physical means for moving God’s Word in their day and time.
Acts 2:44,45:
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions [plural] and goods [plural], and parted them to all men, as every man had need.Acts 4:32,34,35:
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Neither was there any among them that lacked [were in need]: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The believers eagerly shared of their abundance, so the apostles could then utilize it to support the movement of God’s Word. No one lacked as these believers gave of their abundance.
As with any Biblical principle, it takes effort to remain faithful at abundantly sharing. As we put on the Word regarding abundant sharing and faithfully apply this principle with a thankful heart, we can claim the spiritual abundance in our lives that God promises, and we can contribute to the movement of God’s prevailing Word.