LARRY BURKETT STATES, “A VERSE IN PROVERBS SAYS THAT GOD HAS ASKED FOR OUR FIRST FRUITS: THE FIRST AND BEST OF ALL THAT WE RECEIVE. THAT MEANS THAT WE SHOULD TITHE FROM OUR TOTAL GROSS INCOME BEFORE TAXES. ANY PROFIT MADE FROM THE SALE OF A HOME OUGHT TO BE TITHED UPON, BECAUSE IT IS, IN FACT, PART OF THE FIRST FRUITS. OTHER PARTS OF OUR FIRST FRUITS WOULD BE INHERITANCES, INSURANCE MONIES, DIVIDENDS, AND INTEREST. THESE ARE ALL PARTS OF OUR INCREASE. A FARMER FIRST SETS ASIDE A PORTION FROM THE HARVEST FOR SEED TO PLANT THE FOLLOWING YEAR. IF HE DIDN’T, HE WOULD HAVE ANOTHER CROP. AS CHRISTIANS, OUR TITHES ARE LIKE SEEDS. CLEARLY, IF WE GIVE TO GOD THE FIRST PART OF EVERYTHING THAT COMES INTO OUR POSSESSION, WE ARE HONORING HIM. IT IS AN ATTITUDE OF GIVING. AND IT IS ONLY BY HONORING THE LORD FROM THE FIRST PART OF ALL WE HAVE THAT GOD CAN TAKE CONTROL.”
From Gene Edwards’ Sermon: Faith, Finances, and Fleecing