THE STEWARDSHIP SERIES: 2026
MESSAGE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: MATTHEW 26:55-75; LEVITICUS 14
MEMORY VERSE: “Bring 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.” (MALACHI 3:10, NKJV)
BIBLE READING: GENESIS 14:18-20
I. THE THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION: THE MELCHIZEDEK PRECEDENT
To truly understand tithing, we must look beyond the Law of Moses to the Law of First Mention. In Genesis 14, we see Abraham (then Abram) returning from a victorious battle. He is met by Melchizedek, the King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God.
The Blessing Before the Tithe: Notice the sequence. Melchizedek blessed Abraham first, acknowledging God as the “Possessor of heaven and earth.” 2. The Response of Honor: Abraham’s response was to give a tenth (a tithe) of all the spoils. This was not a legal requirement—the Mosaic Law would not be given for hundreds of years. This was an Act of Recognition. Abraham was saying, “The 90% in my hand is only there because of the 100% that belongs to God.”
Tithing, therefore, is an ancient principle of Honor that predates the Law and continues through the Priesthood of Christ, who is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7).
II. THE CLARIFICATION: SALVATION VS. STEWARDSHIP
It is important to address a point of significant spiritual growth in our ministry. Some years ago, I publicly withdrew a message that wrongly stated that non-tithers would not make it to heaven. We must be clear: Tithing is not a qualification for salvation. * Salvation is a gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- Tithing is a key that unlocks divine blessings and spiritual partnership.
You do not tithe to be saved; you tithe because you are saved and you recognize God as your ultimate Source. It is an act of obedience that positions you for the “Windows of Heaven” experience described in Malachi 3:10.
III. THE MECHANISM OF THE OPEN WINDOW
Malachi 3:10 contains the only instance in Scripture where God invites His children to “Try Me” or “Test Me.” This is a Divine Challenge.
The Storehouse Concept: The “Storehouse” is your local church or the place where you are fed spiritually. By bringing the tithe there, you ensure there is “food” (resources) to carry out the work of the ministry.
The Windows of Heaven: This is a metaphor for Divine Ideas, Opportunities, and Favor. An open window in heaven is not a rain of physical currency; it is the pouring out of wisdom and “Blessing” that causes your 90% to go further than the world’s 100%.
The Devourer Rebuke: When you tithe, God promises to rebuke the “devourer” for your sake. This refers to the “leakages”—unforeseen medical bills, car repairs, or losses—that drain the resources of those who do not recognize God’s ownership.
IV. COMPREHENSIVE Q&A: PRACTICAL TITHING IN 2026
Q1: Should I tithe on my Gross or Net income?
Answer: Abraham gave a tithe of “all.” To be safe and to show honor, most believers choose to tithe on their gross income. It is a reflection of putting God first before the government (taxes) or other bills.
Q2: What if I am in deep debt? Should I still tithe?
Answer: Tithing is the “seed” for your financial deliverance. If you wait until you are debt-free to tithe, you are trying to solve a spiritual problem with a mathematical solution. Give God His tenth first, and watch Him give you the wisdom to manage and eliminate the remaining debt.
Q3: Can I give my tithe to a charity or a needy relative?
Answer: While giving to the poor is highly encouraged, the Bible distinguishes between “Tithes” and “Offerings/Alms.” The tithe belongs in the Storehouse (the Church) to sustain mission activities and outreaches. Your help to the needy should come from your remaining 90%.
V. THE PARTNERSHIP PROTOCOL: HOW TO TITHE EFFECTIVELY
Set it Aside First: The moment you receive any increase—winnings, gifts, salaries, or profit—calculate the 10% immediately.
Give Cheerfully: God loves a cheerful giver. Do not tithe out of fear or “begrudging necessity,” but out of a heart of worship.
Expect a Harvest: Tithing is spiritual farming. Once you have sown the seed, keep your heart in a state of expectation for the “Windows of Heaven” to open in the form of favor and wisdom.
VI. ACTIVATION & PRAYER SUITE
A. Personal Petitions: For Financial Obedience
1: The Heart of Honor: Father, I thank You for being my Source! I receive the grace to honor You consistently with my tithes. Deliver me from the “Spirit of Greed” and the “Fear of Lack,” in Jesus’ Name!
2: The Window-Opening Decree: Lord, as I bring my tithe into Your storehouse, I stand on Malachi 3:10. Open the windows of heaven over my career, my business, and my family today, in Jesus’ Name!
3: The Devourer Rebuke: Almighty God, by the blood of Jesus, rebuke every “devourer” assigned to my finances. Plug every hole in my pocket and let my resources be preserved for Your glory!
B. Prophetic Declarations
4: The Partnership Testimony: I declare that I am a partner with the Most High God! I do not walk alone in the marketplace. The “Possessor of Heaven and Earth” is my Senior Partner!
5: The Surplus Life: I declare that because I am a tither, I shall have “no room enough to receive” the blessings coming my way this year!
KEY POINT: When you obey God through tithing, you make yourself a partner with Him. You move from “Self-Sufficiency” to “God-Sufficiency.”
HYMN 15: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 26:55-75, Leviticus 14
