Tithing was started by Abraham when he tithed to Melchizidek and this is discussed in the book of Hebrews. Tithing preceeded the law as an act of faith by Abraham and as such is a principle which will bring blessing to our lives and to your house church if you incoporate it. Offerings have also been around since the first human beings when Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord, but only Abel's offering was acceptable. Both tithes and offerings were a part of New Testament Christianity not in a legalistic way, but rather as a God ordained principle designed to bring great blessing into the lives of believers.

If a house church is to have God's blessing they must learn to be generous. If someone only receives but never gives they will soon become dead. The dead sea in Israel is like this, water is always pouring into it but never leaving it and it has become heavily mineralised and nearly impossible to sustain life. Thus the name "dead sea" is very applicable. A group of believers that wants to thrive and have life must give and this will bless and prosper them.

One great advantage of meeting in a home is that there are so few financial costs. A great majority if not all of the money given can be used for genuine needs and can really be used to build the Kingdom of Heaven. Each house church must pray and ask God how He would have them use the money received. Missions, Bible translation, Drop in Centres and Unreached People Groups and some examples of areas where the money could be a great blessing.

However before the money is used for God and expenses met, a tithe must be paid. The Bible is very clear about the principle of tithing. A tithe is ten percent of the gross money received and should be returned to the storehouse. For believers who attend a regular church congregation this tithe goes to those who watch over their souls, their pastor or spiritual covering. Members of a house church should tithe to their own house church. It is also an important principle for the house church itself to tithe to their spiritual covering, the person who watches over their souls. Abraham tithed to Melchizidek in this manner as someone that Abraham recognized as being a person God had placed there to bring blessing to him.

The tithe honours God, protects the remainder of your money, opens the windows of heaven and brings blessing to your life. (see Malachi 3) Therefore not only should individuals tithe, but so should churches, organisations or businesses that want to honour and serve God. House churches are no exception. As a house church, you should take ten percent of your offering and give it to the person God has placed over your life as a tithe. This will bless them, but will bless you even more. Then with the remainder of the money received you can meet any expenses you have and then give generous offerings to many needs in your local area or around the world.

In many ways, a house church is greatly positioned to be a big financial blessing in God's Kingdom.