What did you do with your 90% ?

Tithes and offerings have always been part of God's covenant with His people from the Old Testament to the New. Yet, they remain a topic of confusion, debate, and even controversy across many churches around the world, including in Nagaland. In an age where false teachers are on the rise and the so-called "prosperity gospel" is both preached and misused, the biblical teaching on tithing and giving has been severely misunderstood or neglected altogether.

Despite the misrepresentation of prosperity by some, God’s principles regarding tithes and offerings have never changed. His Word is eternal, and He has not lowered His standards to accommodate human reasoning or culture. Leviticus 27:30 clearly states, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” The tithe belongs to God. It is not a donation, nor a favor, it is a recognition that God is the source of all we have.

Yet many fail to understand the difference between the tithe and the offering. The tithe is the tenth that already belongs to God; it's His, and returning it is a matter of honor and obedience, not generosity. Offerings, however, are what we give above the tithe, and they become the seed we sow into the Kingdom of God. It is through offerings that we activate the principle of sowing and reaping.

Tithing honors God. Sowing invites increase.

A Lack of Teaching, A Lack of Breakthrough

Sadly, in Nagaland, many believers lack this revelation. Churches often depend on a few wealthy individuals for financial support, while the majority remain untaught in biblical stewardship. As a result, many churches struggle financially, unable to upgrade their buildings, facilities, or ministry tools needed to reach a changing generation. When growth doesn’t happen, the excuse is often, “God doesn't care about structures; worship is more important.”

While it's true that worship is the heart of the Church, we must also understand that God desires excellence in what we do for Him. We serve a God of order, beauty, and provision. He delights in seeing His house reflect His glory. If believers aren't taught to sow faithfully, how can churches grow? If people don’t prosper, how can they bless the church from what they don’t have?

In some circles, particularly in Charismatic churches in Nagaland, biblical giving is taught, and members are encouraged to sow generously. But unfortunately, these churches are often criticized or accused of preaching a prosperity gospel or being money-driven. Meanwhile, those who criticize equate financial struggle and lack with holiness, thinking that poverty is somehow proof of humility or spiritual maturity, yet this is far from the truth.

Struggling financially does not make a church holy, and prospering as a church does not make it worldly.

God's Desire: Prosperity With Purpose

As born-again believers, God’s desire is not just spiritual prosperity. He also wants His children to prosper in health, peace, purpose, and provision. 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Financial provision is not a curse, it’s a tool for Kingdom advancement. Yes, trials may come. Testing seasons will visit us. But they are meant to refine us, not define us.

God blesses us fully with 100%. Yet, the first 10% belongs to Him, and with the remaining 90%, He calls us to steward it wisely and sow generously. Matthew 13:8 reminds us that seeds sown in good ground can yield thirty, sixty, or even a hundredfold return. But in Nagaland, a widespread misunderstanding prevails: many think the tithe is the seed, and once it’s given, they stop sowing altogether. This is a tragic misconception.

The tithe belongs to God and honors Him. The seed is what you give from your portion, and that’s where the increase begins. Giving a tithe and stopping there limits your blessing because it’s only fulfilling obligation. But sowing is voluntary and full of faith, it’s your act of partnering with God for increase.

Don't stop at obedience, step into abundance through faith-filled sowing.

A Generous God Honors Generous People

The apostle Paul taught this repeatedly. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 says, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness… so that you can be generous on every occasion.” Your generosity causes thanksgiving to rise up in the hearts of others, and it glorifies God.

Every time we sow, whether it’s into a church, a ministry, a person in need, or a missionary in the field, we're planting seeds. And those seeds carry the DNA of increase and multiplication, because God is faithful to His Word.

However, many believers in Nagaland struggle with this principle. For example, we often see people come to church with coins, dividing Rs. 10 among several people as offerings. We give carelessly, not generously. And then we wonder why we don’t see breakthroughs.

It's time to shift our mindset. If we want God to bless us richly, we must sow richly. Not recklessly, but generously, joyfully, and by faith. We must stop judging prosperous churches and instead start sowing into our own churches. Your giving matters. You can be the seed of change in your church.

Why Are Even Non-Believers Prosperous?

This is a question many believers ask: Why do non-believers or ungodly people prosper? Why are some of the richest individuals in India or even in Nagaland not walking in faith or holiness?

The answer lies in a simple but powerful truth: God honors principles. Even if people do not acknowledge God personally, when they walk in God-ordained principles such as hard work, diligence, discipline, generosity, consistency, God blesses their efforts. A principle is a law. It works for anyone who applies it.

A respected man of God once answered this well: “Even if they don’t know God, when they apply His principles, He must honor them because He honors His Word above all.” (Psalm 138:2). God is a God of covenant and principles, and He cannot contradict Himself.

This should challenge and inspire us as believers. If unbelievers prosper by applying divine principles unknowingly, how much more should we, the children of God, walk in abundance by combining faith with principle?

It’s time to stop surviving and start thriving in the fullness of God’s design.

The Stewardship Mandate

So why does God want His people to prosper? It’s not for selfish luxury, but for stewardship. God is looking for men and women who will use their blessings to build churches, support missions, care for the poor, and carry out His purposes on earth. He needs people He can trust with wealth, Kingdom financiers.

We must stop criticizing and start activating. Don't wait for someone else to sow into your church. Start with what you have. Sow with faith. Sow with joy. And do it consistently, not just when you feel like it.

Let’s break the mindset of poverty in Nagaland. Let’s reject the idea that being poor is somehow more holy. Let’s educate the Church about biblical prosperity, not the false, money-centered kind, but the Christ-centered kind that seeks to honor God, bless others, and advance the Gospel.

It's not wrong to have money. It's wrong when money has you.

Final Call: From Coins to Kingdom Mindset

The truth is, God is not waiting on your tithe—He is waiting on your heart. And your giving reveals your heart.

Stop bringing just coins to church as if you’re tipping a waiter. Bring your best. Bring your faith. And most importantly, bring your obedience and expectation. If we want to see a wave of revival, church growth, and financial transformation across Nagaland, it starts with the people of God understanding and walking in His principles.

So let us arise, not in fear or guilt but in revelation. Let’s honor God with our tithes, sow generously from the 90%, and watch Him multiply our lives so we can be a blessing in every way.

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing…" — Proverbs 3:9-10