Why Do We Give?

The modern church has lost the luxury to assume people know what we are talking about.

Biblical doctrine is meant to be explained in a way that people can understand.

In my lifetime, the concept of giving does not be appear to be taught consistently.

What is my “why?”

Why do we give?

Malachi 3:8-10

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!”“How do we rob you?” you ask.“By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.

9 You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me.

10 Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the LORD of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.

A tithe is one-tenth of a person’s good, whether agricultural or monetary, dedicated to God.

OT

Out of the 12 tribes of Israel, the Levites were called to serve God in the temple, and had no land of their own.

In Lev. 27:30-33, the Levites were instructed to rely on the tithes of God’s people, but also tithe what they had been given.

Deut 12, 14, 26 provided overall direction and motivation.

Deuteronomy 14:22-29

22 “Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields.

23 You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place where he chooses to have his name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the LORD your God.

24 But if the distance is too great for you to carry it, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to put his name is too far away from you and since the LORD your God has blessed you,

25 then exchange it for silver, take the silver in your hand, and go to the place the LORD your God chooses.

26 You may spend the silver on anything you want: cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer, or anything you desire. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your family.

27 Do not neglect the Levite within your city gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.

28 “At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and store it within your city gates.

29 Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates may come, eat, and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.

Tithes were brought as a sacrifice in gratitude for God’s provision

The practice of tithing has changed since the OT, but the concept of setting aside 1/10th of one’s income or goods for religious use has remained the same.

“Giving in a regular, disciplined, generous way-up to and beyond the tithe-is simply good sense in view of the promises of God.” - John Piper

1. Giving acknowledges God as Sovereign.

The Hebrew people called God “Adoniah” - Lord

But God did not accept robbery from His people.

“rob” covered up. Denied the Levites, those who were destitute. Double fraud.

The Office - “Sorry, that’s my room.”

No one ever lost by giving to God with a whole heart, nor gained by giving with half a heart.

2. Giving expresses gratitude to God.

“full tenth into the storehouse”

Store chambers built for this purpose.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

“Money talks”

God doesn’t need our money. He is teaching us.

“If a person get his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.” - Billy Graham

3. Giving places us under God’s covering.

“Test me in this”

Luke 6:38

38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Christians give their time, prayer, money, and service. God provides and we give.

Tony Evans defines a blessing as “experiencing, enjoying, and extending the goodness of God in your life.”

Beyond monetary, God wants you to know him in fullness.

Debt free in 13 months.

Managing our finances and being generous is what we are meant for.

God gave us all so we could enjoy him. Don’t rob.