WHY WE GIVE: THE TITHE APRIL 16, 2023

THREE TYPES OF GIVING

1/ Israel gave sacrifices.

2/ Israel gave free will offerings.

3/ Israel gave tithes.

“’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.’” Leviticus 27:30, NIV

The people actually gave three separate tithes (Levite, Festival, Poverty), which was God’s plan to sustain the priests, the Tabernacle and Temple, and the needy.

SIX PRIMARY REASONS PEOPLE DO NOT TITHE

1/ Some people do not know what the Bible teaches about tithing.

In America, 57% of all Christians and 41% of practicing Christians do not have an understanding of the tithe. (Barna Group, 2021)

2/ Some people believe tithing is no longer applicable.

While Christians are no longer bound to cultural and ceremonial laws, we are bound to the moral laws and principles of the Old Testament that the New Testament affirms.

The tithe was practiced before the law of Moses, in the law of Moses, in Proverbs, in the prophets, affirmed by Jesus, alluded to by Paul, and practiced in the early church (Didache 13).

3/ Some people do not have faith that God will sustain their finances.

4/ Some people do not trust churches due to past experiences.

5/ Some people do not remember to tithe.

6/ Some people do not care.

SCRIPTURE

The Book of Malachi is God calling His people back to Himself and to His principles. In chapter 3, He deals specifically to the tithe.

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from My decrees and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob Me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing You?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing Me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:6-12, NIV

NINE ELEMENTS OF THE TITHE

1/ The tithe is an expectation God has for His people (verse 8).

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Matthew 22:21, NIV

“We give it, yes. But it is really returning it to Him.” R.T. Kendall

Giving the tithe is not about generosity but obedience.

2/ The tithe withheld removes the blessing of God (verse 9).

When the tithe is not given, Jack Hayford suggests we rob God from blessing us.

Giving should never be motivated by guilt, fear, or manipulation, but by promise!

3/ The tithe is a full 10% (verse 10).

Tithe: “a tenth part”

Anything less than 10% is not a tithe. Anything over 10% is an offering.

4/ The tithe is a partnership with God (verse 10).

Every time we tithe, we are partnering with God’s work in the world!

5/ The tithe reveals God’s commitment to us and to His word (verse 10).

This is a good God pleading with His people to trust Him for blessing!

It is impossible for God to lie… Hebrews 6:18, ESV

6/ The tithe unleashes supernatural blessing (verse 10).

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Prov 3:9-10

7/ The tithe establishes protection around our resources (verse 11).

While tithing does not preserve us from any and all financial difficulty, it gives us assurance of sustained blessing.

8/ The tithe places favor on our efforts (verse 11).

9/ The tithe reveals God’s faithfulness to others (verse 12).

DOES GOD NEED MONEY?

The tithe is not about money. It is about relationship and trust. God does not need our money but wants our hearts.

Tithing settles two questions: 1. “Do I have money or does money have me?” 2. “Do I trust my resources or do I trust the Source?”

NEXT STEPS

1/ If you do not currently tithe, commit to giving the tithe.

This step requires a plan of diligence, wisdom, and faith.

2/ If you do currently tithe, commit to giving the tithe with faith.

Faith is the fuel thrown on the flame of obedience.