6The scriptures advise every believer to commit a tenth of all they have to the Lord, and to set it aside as holy unto Him. We don't just tithe out of duty to God but out of our vast love for Him and the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. Over my many years as pastor of First Apostolic Faith Church, I have taught numerous theological courses, and preached more sermons than I can count on tithing as a key cornerstone in the life of the believer. Yet tithing remains a challenge we must learn to embrace with a cheerful heart.

Tithing is a discipline that doesn't come easy for some, especially during times of economic hardship and struggle. And even though God promises to provide all of our needs when we commit to giving of our first fruits, many Christians choose fear over faith. When we refuse to give unto God, the scripture calls it robbery. We, as saints, are called to build God's kingdom, not steal from it.

In this book, Elder Ballard makes the valiant attempt to bridge the gap between God's directive to tithe and the believer's heart to follow God's plan.

I pray that the words in this book will resonate with anyone who wants to make tithing a consistent priority in their lives. It is my hope that this book will be more than a guide to understand tithing as just an act of obedience. May it open your eyes to tithing as an act of worship to the Almighty.

Apostle Franklin C. Showell
Senior Pastor, First Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ International, Inc.