STEWARDSHIP
JUDGED ON STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship pertains to all areas of our lives. What are you doing with the:
Time
Talents
Treasure (money & resources)
that God has entrusted you with?
TREASURE:
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
TITHING
What is a tithe?
It literally means a tenth.
Tithing was commanded in the OT
Deut 12:8-11 You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the LORD your God is giving you.
But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety.
Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.
Isn’t tithing part of the Old Covenant and not applicable to us? No – the Tithe predates the Old Covenant. Abraham paid a tithe to the priest Melchizedek years before the Law was given.
Gen 14:18-20 (NIV) Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram… Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Gen 14:20 (NKJV) … And he gave him a tithe of all.
Jacob paid tithes before the Law was given.
Gen 28:22 (Brenton LXX) And this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be to me a house of God; and of all whatsoever thou shalt give me, I will tithe a tenth for thee.
And of all that you give me I will give you a tenth. (NIV)
Does the NT tell us to tithe?
Matt 23:23 (NIV) “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin.
But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.
You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
Note that Jesus doesn’t reprimand them for tithing. He rebukes them for neglecting “justice, mercy and faithfulness” in addition to not neglecting tithing.
OFFERINGS
A tithe is a specific amount (10% of your income) that you give first, and an offering is anything extra that you give beyond that.
2 Chron 31:12 (NKJV) Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things …
Deut 12:6 (NIV) there bring … your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings…
DOES GOD NEED OUR MONEY?
Psalm 50:8-12 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
PURPOSE
So if God doesn’t need our money, what is the purpose of tithing?
Tithes and offerings help support the church’s operations, including paying staff, maintaining facilities, and funding various ministries. This enables the church to spread the Gospel, provide spiritual guidance, and serve the community.
(1) SUPPORT GOD’S LOCAL WORKERS
In the OT the tithe was the inheritance of the Levites:
Num 18:21 (NIV) “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.”
Some say that the tithe to support God’s workers is an OT principle that was not carried over into the NT.
But the NT says that those who sown “spiritual seed” have a right to reap a material harvest:
1 Cor 9:11 (NIV) If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
Paul explicitly says that full time ministers are entitled to support.
1 Cor 9:4-7 (NIV) Don’t we have the right to food and drink?… Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes?
Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk?
Paul teaches about the financial support of God’s work using commands from the Law as guidelines.
1 Cor 9:4-12 (NIV) Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing?
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”
Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he?
Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.
Some claim that the previous passage applies only to the apostolic ministry and not that of a pastor.
However in 1 Timothy, Paul applies the exact same passage to preaching and teaching elders.
1 Tim 5:17-18 (NIV) The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
Paul applies the Old Covenant pattern of support of priests to the support of New Covenant preachers of the gospel.
1 Cor 9:13-14 (NIV) Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
In the same way, the Lord has commanded
that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Support for preachers of the gospel is a NT principle. It is not a suggestion – it is commanded.
(2) SUPPORT MISSIONS
As we have noted, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” is also applied to apostles – the equivalent ministry function of modern missionaries.
“Today Christians spend more money on dog food than missions.” (Leonard Ravenhill)
“If God wills the evangelization of the world, and you refuse to support missions, then you are opposed to the will of God.” (Oswald J. Smith)
(3) UPKEEP OF THE HOUSE OF GOD
Hag 1:4 (NIV) “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
In response to Moses’ call for contributions towards the building of the Tabernacle, the Israelites gave so much that Moses had to command them to stop giving (Ex 36:2–7).
Neh 10:38-39… the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury … “We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Ex 35:21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
(4) HELPING THE NEEDY
Deut 14:28-29 (NIV) … bring all the tithes … so that the Levites … and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied…
Jesus said, "when you give alms" not "if you give alms" (Matt 6:2)! Christian giving is not optional, but a requirement.
Some say: "in the Old Covenant they were obliged to give, but not in the New Covenant - we only give if we want to." This is clearly not Jesus' teaching. He expected his followers to be givers.
Acts 11:28-30 (NIV) … Agabus … through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world …
The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
5) CULTIVATING A GENEROUS HEART
Regular giving fosters a spirit of generosity and detachment from material possessions.
It helps believers prioritize their relationship with God over their love for money (Matt 6:19-21).
6) EXPRESSING GRATITUDE
Tithing and giving are ways to express thankfulness to God for his provision.
Recognizing that everything we have comes from God, giving back a portion is an act of worship and gratitude (Deut 8:18).
7) TRUSTING GOD
Giving, especially when it requires sacrifice, is an exercise in trusting God to provide for our needs.
It demonstrates faith in God’s promises and his ability to take care of us (Malachi 3:10).
RESULTS OF GIVING
BLESSING
Spiritual Growth and Blessings: Giving and tithing can lead to spiritual growth as believers learn to trust God more deeply.
Malachi 3:10 promises that God will “open the windows of heaven” and pour out blessings when his people bring their tithes into the storehouse.
These blessings may not always be material but can include spiritual growth, peace, and joy.
Deut 14:28-29 (NIV) … bring all the tithes … so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Jesus said “When you give… your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matt 6:3-4).
When Abraham returns from defeating the armies of the four kings and reclaiming his stolen possessions, he’s met by Melchizedek - the priest of God.
Melchizedek attributes Abraham’s victory to God and he blesses Abraham.
Gen 14:20 (NKJV) And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.
In response to God’s blessing, Abraham gives Melchizedek a tenth of his possessions. He doesn’t do it to invoke God’s blessing; he does it in response to God’s blessing.
Prov 11:24-25 (NIV) One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
BUT AN EXPECTED BLESSING IS NOT THE REASON WE GIVE.
Acts 20:35 “… remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Paul uses the seed analogy when collecting money to help the struggling church in Jerusalem.
2 Cor 9:6 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
We mustn’t let the excesses of the prosperity message detract from the fact that God does bless some materially so that they can have a special gift of giving:
Rom 12:6-8 (NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift … is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously …
You cannot give generously unless God has given you the financial means.
So God blesses us financially so that we “can be generous on every occasion” i.e. it is not so that we can self-indulge in extravagant lifestyles, but for “supplying the needs of God’s people” (2 Cor 9:12) and helping the poor.
Speaking of an offering to assist the struggling Jerusalem church, Paul writes:
2 Cor 9:8-9 (NIV) And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
The desire to be generous and the means to be generous both come from God.
2 Cor 9:10-13 (NIV) 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.
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
Not only does God supply what is needed for sustenance (bread for food), but he also promises to increase the resources available for giving.
Testing God?
Tithing is the only area where God says
we may ‘test’ him.
Mal 3:10-12 (NIV) “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 you will not have room enough for it.
“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and
the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.
“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
After having warned Timothy about the dangers of “the love of money”, Paul the gives this instruction showing that there were also some wealthy Christians in the Ephesian church:
1 Tim 6:17-19 Command those who are rich … to be generous and willing to share.
GOD DOESN’T BLESS US TO INCREASE OUR STANDARD OF LIVING, GOD BLESSES US TO INCREASE OUR STANDARD OF GIVING.
Robbing God
In contrast, those who are stingy are under a curse.
Prov 28:27 (NIV) Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
Are you a thief?
Mal 3:7-9 (NIV) “… Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me.”
Using the parable of the rich fool, Jesus warns us about using our resources entirely for self-enrichment:
Luke 12:16 (NIV) And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
Luke 12:17 (NIV) He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
Luke 12:18 (NIV) “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
Luke 12:119 (NIV) And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’
Luke 12:20-21 (NIV) But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Hag 1:4-6 (NIV) “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
… “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm.
You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Hag 1:9-11 (NIV) “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away.
“Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.
“Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labour of your hands.”
The average Christian gives only 2.5% of their income.
According to Barna Group (2022): *
One-quarter (25%) don’t give to their church at all.
Only 2 in 5 (40%) practicing Christians give at least 10% of their annual income as a tithe.
“Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving.”
(US Presbyterian pastor, Peter Marshall)
* https:// barna.com/ research/ what-is-a-tithe
American Baptist pastor, W.A. Criswell told of a young man who told his pastor he’d promised God a tithe of his income.
They prayed for God to bless his career. At that time he was making $40 per week and tithing $4.
In a few years his income increased radically and he was tithing $500 per week. He called on the pastor to see if he could be released from his tithing promise, it was too costly now.
The pastor replied, “I don’t see how you can be released from your promise, but we can ask God to reduce your income to $40 a week, then you’d have no problem tithing $4.” *
* A Guidebook for Pastors
It is in the context of giving, that Paul says “God will meet
all your needs.
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:15-19, NIV)
DEEPENED RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Regular giving can strengthen a believer’s faith as they see God’s faithfulness in providing for their needs.
This act of trust can deepen their relationship with God and increase their reliance on him rather than on material wealth (Phil 4:19).
WITNESS TO OTHERS
Generosity can be a powerful witness to non-believers.
When Christians give selflessly, it demonstrates the love of Christ and can open doors for sharing the Gospel (Matt 5:16).
JOY AND FULFILLMENT
Acts 20:35 quotes Jesus saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Many Christians find that giving brings a sense of joy and fulfillment, knowing they are contributing to God’s work and helping others.
ETERNAL REWARDS
Jesus taught that storing up treasures in heaven is more important than accumulating wealth on earth (Matt 6:19-21).
Generous giving is a way to invest in eternal rewards, reflecting a heart aligned with God’s kingdom values.
AUTHOR: Gavin Paynter
For more sermon downloads: https://agfbrakpan.com
For more sermon downloads by Gavin Paynter: https://agfbrakpan.com/free-sermon-downloads-by-speaker/Gavin%20Paynter
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