Tithing and Christian Stewardship

TITHING AND CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIPTITHING AND CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
‘‘The Christian and Money’The Christian and Money’

TITHING AND CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
But I want to remind us today that nothingBut I want to remind us today that nothing
happens without finances!happens without finances!
The new Muslim rulers gave the ChristiansThe new Muslim rulers gave the Christians
three options.three options.

One, convert to Islam.One, convert to Islam.
Two, remain a Christian but they must payTwo, remain a Christian but they must pay
annually a tax. (Muslims don’t have toannually a tax. (Muslims don’t have to
pay it, just Christians).pay it, just Christians).
Third, off comes your head.Third, off comes your head.

Tithing and generous giving is one of thoseTithing and generous giving is one of those
practical expressions of our faith.practical expressions of our faith.
But not tithing or giving generously to theBut not tithing or giving generously to the
work of God will seriously question as towork of God will seriously question as to
whether or not you are committed to bewhether or not you are committed to be
a disciple of the Lord.a disciple of the Lord.

A disciple is one who has chosen to liveA disciple is one who has chosen to live
under the discipline of Jesus, and takesunder the discipline of Jesus, and takes
serious the teachings of Jesus and theserious the teachings of Jesus and the
Kingdom of God.Kingdom of God.
A disciple seeks FIRST THE KINGDOM OFA disciple seeks FIRST THE KINGDOM OF
GOD.GOD.

THREE THINGS ABOUT TITHING.THREE THINGS ABOUT TITHING.
I.I. Tithing is God’s will.Tithing is God’s will.
1.1.It’s contained within the law and theIt’s contained within the law and the
prophets of the Old Testament.prophets of the Old Testament.

1.1. It’s contained within the law and theIt’s contained within the law and the
Leviticus 27:30-34Leviticus 27:30-34
““One-tenth of the produce of the land,One-tenth of the produce of the land,
whether grain from the fields or fruitwhether grain from the fields or fruit
from the trees, belongs to the LORDfrom the trees, belongs to the LORD
and must be set apart to him as holy. Ifand must be set apart to him as holy. If
you want to buy back the LORD’s tenthyou want to buy back the LORD’s tenth
of the grain or fruit, you must pay itsof the grain or fruit, you must pay its
value, plus 20 percent...value, plus 20 percent...

Leviticus 27:30-34Leviticus 27:30-34
…… 3232
Count off every tenth animal from yourCount off every tenth animal from your
herds and flocks and set them apart forherds and flocks and set them apart for
the LORD as holy...the LORD as holy...These are theThese are the
commands that the LORD gavecommands that the LORD gave
through Moses…through Moses…

Malachi 3:6-12Malachi 3:6-12
““I am the LORD, and I do not change. ThatI am the LORD, and I do not change. That
is why you descendants of Jacob areis why you descendants of Jacob are
not already destroyed. Ever since thenot already destroyed. Ever since the
days of your ancestors, you havedays of your ancestors, you have
scorned my decrees and failed to obeyscorned my decrees and failed to obey
them. Now return to me, and I willthem. Now return to me, and I will
return to you,” says the LORD ofreturn to you,” says the LORD of

... “But you ask, ‘How can we return when... “But you ask, ‘How can we return when
we have never gone away?’we have never gone away?’ 88
“Should“Should
people cheat God? Yet you havepeople cheat God? Yet you have
cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What docheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do
you mean? When did we ever cheatyou mean? When did we ever cheat
you?’ “You have cheated me of theyou?’ “You have cheated me of the
tithes and offerings due to me…tithes and offerings due to me…

...... 99
You are under a curse, for your wholeYou are under a curse, for your whole
nation has been cheating me.nation has been cheating me. 1010
Bring allBring all
the tithes into the storehouse so therethe tithes into the storehouse so there
will be enough food in my Temple. Ifwill be enough food in my Temple. If
you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’syou do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s
Armies, “I will open the windows ofArmies, “I will open the windows of
heaven for you…heaven for you…

…… I will pour out a blessing so great youI will pour out a blessing so great you
won’t have enough room to take it in!won’t have enough room to take it in!
Try it! Put me to the test!Try it! Put me to the test! 1111
Your cropsYour crops
will be abundant, for I will guard themwill be abundant, for I will guard them
from insects and disease.from insects and disease.Your grapesYour grapes
will not fall from the vine before theywill not fall from the vine before they
are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’sare ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s

……1212
“Then all nations will call you blessed,“Then all nations will call you blessed,
for your land will be such a delight,”for your land will be such a delight,”
says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

2.2.Tithing was taught in the ScriptureTithing was taught in the Scripture
before the giving of the law throughbefore the giving of the law through
Moses.Moses.

2.2. Tithing was taught in the ScriptureTithing was taught in the Scripture
Moses.Moses.
Hebrews 7:4-7Hebrews 7:4-7
''44
Consider then how great this MelchizedekConsider then how great this Melchizedek
was. Even Abraham, the greatwas. Even Abraham, the great
patriarch of Israel, recognized this bypatriarch of Israel, recognized this by
giving him a tenth of what he hadgiving him a tenth of what he had
taken in battle...taken in battle...

2.2. Tithing was taught in the ScriptureTithing was taught in the Scripture
Moses.Moses.
Hebrews 7:4-7Hebrews 7:4-7
... And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon... And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon
Abraham, the one who had alreadyAbraham, the one who had already
received the promises of God.received the promises of God. 77
AndAnd
without question, the person who haswithout question, the person who has
the power to give a blessing is greaterthe power to give a blessing is greater
than the one who is blessed.'than the one who is blessed.'

2.2.Tithing was taught in the ScriptureTithing was taught in the Scripture
Moses.Moses.
3.3.Jesus approved Tithing.Jesus approved Tithing.

3.3. Jesus approved Tithing.Jesus approved Tithing.
Matthew 23:23Matthew 23:23
““What sorrow awaits you teachers ofWhat sorrow awaits you teachers of
religious law and you Pharisees.religious law and you Pharisees.
Hypocrites! For you are careful to titheHypocrites! For you are careful to tithe
even the tiniest income from your herbeven the tiniest income from your herb
gardens, but you ignore the moregardens, but you ignore the more
important aspects of the law—justice,important aspects of the law—justice,
mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes,mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes,
but do not neglect the more importantbut do not neglect the more important

Any message on tithing needs to include
the fact that tithing is not the sum
total of what it means to be a
Christian.

Tithing is therefore scripturally taught.Tithing is therefore scripturally taught.
The law prophets, Abraham, Jesus.The law prophets, Abraham, Jesus.

If the people of the Old Testament or theIf the people of the Old Testament or the
old covenant gave to support the workold covenant gave to support the work
of God under that covenant should notof God under that covenant should not
the people of God in the new covenantthe people of God in the new covenant
which has greater promises, greaterwhich has greater promises, greater
blessings, greater priesthood, a greaterblessings, greater priesthood, a greater
altar, a greater sacrifice should notaltar, a greater sacrifice should not
people under the new covenant dopeople under the new covenant do
more than people under the oldmore than people under the old

II.II.Tithing, permits the needs of the Lord’sTithing, permits the needs of the Lord’s
work to be fully met.work to be fully met.
The only way each church can fulfill itsThe only way each church can fulfill its
mission is if all of the people aremission is if all of the people are
combining together to do their part.combining together to do their part.

““That there might be food in my house.”That there might be food in my house.”

GOD OWNS ALLGOD OWNS ALL
Psalm 24:1 says,Psalm 24:1 says,
““The earth is the Lord’s and the fullnessThe earth is the Lord’s and the fullness
thereof.”thereof.”

Deuteronomy 10:14Deuteronomy 10:14
““Behold to the Lord your God belongBehold to the Lord your God belong
heaven and the heaven of heavens. Theheaven and the heaven of heavens. The
earth and all that’s in it.”earth and all that’s in it.”

Psalm 50:10-11Psalm 50:10-11
““Every beast of the forest is mine. TheEvery beast of the forest is mine. The
cattle of a thousand hills. I know all thecattle of a thousand hills. I know all the
birds of the air and that moves in thebirds of the air and that moves in the
fields is mine.”fields is mine.”

Haggai 2:8Haggai 2:8
““The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’
says the Lord who gave it.” And evensays the Lord who gave it.” And even
human life is owned by God.human life is owned by God.

Ecclesiastes 12:7Ecclesiastes 12:7
““The spirit returns to God who gave it.”The spirit returns to God who gave it.” SoSo
everything is really the Lord’s.everything is really the Lord’s.

Malachi’s point is that while God ownsMalachi’s point is that while God owns
everything he has turned totally hiseverything he has turned totally his
property over to us for our managementproperty over to us for our management
and trusteeship.and trusteeship.

But in the sense that we will not prosper inBut in the sense that we will not prosper in
a particular ministry and it will die!a particular ministry and it will die!

Tithing is God’s will.Tithing is God’s will.
Tithing permits the needs of God’s work toTithing permits the needs of God’s work to
be met.be met.

III.III.Tithing brings a growth of our faith inTithing brings a growth of our faith in
the Lord.the Lord.

the Lord.the Lord.
Malachi in fact promises the flood gates ofMalachi in fact promises the flood gates of
heaven will open upon a tithingheaven will open upon a tithing
community.community.

the Lord.the Lord.
'What we’re dealing with in the tithe is'What we’re dealing with in the tithe is
adopting a lifestyle that brings a moreadopting a lifestyle that brings a more
disciplined approach to life and it bringsdisciplined approach to life and it brings
a more prioritized approach to life.'a more prioritized approach to life.'

the Lord.the Lord.
And anyone who is more disciplined isAnd anyone who is more disciplined is
going to be better at whatever they do ingoing to be better at whatever they do in
life.life.

the Lord.the Lord.
'EQUAL SACRIFICE AND NOT EQUAL'EQUAL SACRIFICE AND NOT EQUAL
GIVING'GIVING'

the Lord.the Lord.
The giving of the ten- percent is theThe giving of the ten- percent is the
beginning point of Christian stewardship.beginning point of Christian stewardship.

the Lord.the Lord.
It seems to me the model of the ChristianIt seems to me the model of the Christian
giving is you begin with 10% and then ingiving is you begin with 10% and then in
incremental steps add to your faith andincremental steps add to your faith and
begin to move beyond that.begin to move beyond that.

the Lord.the Lord.
Once you develop the discipline of tithingOnce you develop the discipline of tithing
you learn actually to live better on theyou learn actually to live better on the
90% than you lived on the 100%.90% than you lived on the 100%.

the Lord.the Lord.
Scripture teaches that:Scripture teaches that:
• Tithing is God’s willTithing is God’s will
• That it’s His way of providing for ministryThat it’s His way of providing for ministry
in His kingdomin His kingdom
• That it will add to your faith as you do it.That it will add to your faith as you do it.

the Lord.the Lord.
1)1) Settle the matter now in your heart.Settle the matter now in your heart.
2)2)Know that there will never be a goodKnow that there will never be a good
time to start tithing.time to start tithing.
3)3)Figure out what 10% is of your nextFigure out what 10% is of your next
paycheck.paycheck.

the Lord.the Lord.
4)4)When you get paid, make out the titheWhen you get paid, make out the tithe
check first.check first.
Tithe is biblically mandated or required.Tithe is biblically mandated or required.

the Lord.the Lord.
The offering is what you give beyond theThe offering is what you give beyond the
tithe.tithe.

the Lord.the Lord.
5)5)Make out a budget that tells you howMake out a budget that tells you how
you can spend the other 90% and don’tyou can spend the other 90% and don’t
be surprised if on paper it doesn’t work.be surprised if on paper it doesn’t work.

the Lord.the Lord.
6)6)Don't divide your tithe and don’tDon't divide your tithe and don’t
designate your tithe.designate your tithe.
7)7)Begin tithing where you are.Begin tithing where you are.
8)8)Increase your faith as time goes along toIncrease your faith as time goes along to
go beyond the tithe.go beyond the tithe.

Genesis 28:16-22Genesis 28:16-22
16-1716-17
Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said,Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said,
"GOD is in this place—truly. And I didn't"GOD is in this place—truly. And I didn't
even know it!" He was terrified. Heeven know it!" He was terrified. He
whispered in awe, "Incredible.whispered in awe, "Incredible.
Wonderful. Holy. This is God's House.Wonderful. Holy. This is God's House.
This is the Gate of Heaven.”This is the Gate of Heaven.”

Genesis 28:16-22Genesis 28:16-22
... Jacob vowed a vow: "If God stands by... Jacob vowed a vow: "If God stands by
me and protects me on this journey onme and protects me on this journey on
which I'm setting out, keeps me in foodwhich I'm setting out, keeps me in food
and clothing, and brings me back in oneand clothing, and brings me back in one
piece to my father's house, this GOD willpiece to my father's house, this GOD will
be my God. This stone that I have set upbe my God. This stone that I have set up
as a memorial pillar will mark this as aas a memorial pillar will mark this as a
place where God lives. And everythingplace where God lives. And everything
you give me, I'll return a tenth to you."you give me, I'll return a tenth to you."

Genesis 39:29-30 (NLT)Genesis 39:29-30 (NLT)
(A few years after with his uncle Laban)(A few years after with his uncle Laban)
Jacob replied, “You know how hard I’veJacob replied, “You know how hard I’ve
worked for you, and how your flocks andworked for you, and how your flocks and
herds have grown under my care.herds have grown under my care. 3030
YouYou
had little indeed before I came, but yourhad little indeed before I came, but your
wealth has increased enormously. Thewealth has increased enormously. The
LORD has blessed you through everythingLORD has blessed you through everything
I’ve done.I’ve done.

Proverbs 3:5-10 (Msg)Proverbs 3:5-10 (Msg)
5-125-12
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on yourdon't try to figure out everything on your
own. Listen for God's voice in everythingown. Listen for God's voice in everything
you do, everywhere you go; he's the oneyou do, everywhere you go; he's the one
who will keep you on track. Don't assumewho will keep you on track. Don't assume
that you know it all…that you know it all…

Proverbs 3:5-10 (Msg)Proverbs 3:5-10 (Msg)
…… Run to God! Run from evil! Your bodyRun to God! Run from evil! Your body
will glow with health, your very boneswill glow with health, your very bones
will vibrate with life! Honor God withwill vibrate with life! Honor God with
everything you own; give him the firsteverything you own; give him the first
and the best. Your barns will burst, yourand the best. Your barns will burst, your
wine vats will brim over.wine vats will brim over.

Luke 6:38 (Msg)Luke 6:38 (Msg)
““Give away your life; you'll find life givenGive away your life; you'll find life given
back, but not merely given back—givenback, but not merely given back—given
back with bonus and blessing. Giving, notback with bonus and blessing. Giving, not
getting, is the way. Generosity begetsgetting, is the way. Generosity begets
generosity.”generosity.”

Tithing and Christian Stewardship

More Related Content

What's hot

Viewers also liked

Similar to Tithing and Christian Stewardship

More from New Life Christian Church

Recently uploaded

Tithing and Christian Stewardship