Trusting God With Finances

Introduction

Did you know that there are roughly 2,350 verses concerning money in the Bible? That's almost twice as many as verses about faith and prayer combined. Jesus had a lot to say about money: Nearly 15% of everything Jesus spoke about related to money and possessions. Yet, we avoid that subject more and more within the church. When we totally surrender to God, we totally surrender, and that includes trusting God with our finances.

To understand this more, we are going to look at two passages, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.

Malachi 3:10 NIV84

10 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.

2 Corinthians 9:7–9 NIV84

7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

Teaching

Let’s look at the teaching behind both of these passages. First, from Malachi, we see a teaching that is based on the law. A basic theological principle from the Book of Malachi is that the people of God demonstrate true reverence for Him in every area of their lives. This includes in obeying the law.

Understanding the Law

Malachi reminds the Israelites that part of the law included true worship that could only come about by true sacrifice. Part of the true sacrifice was to bring offerings to the temple. Leviticus 27:30

Leviticus 27:30 NIV84

30 “ ‘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.

Numbers 18:29 NIV84

29 You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’

With that understanding of the law, the Israelites were required to bring a tithe, yet according to Malachi, the people had turned their backs on God and were not doing this. Led by God, Malachi spoke on the Lord’s behalf. A wrong had to be righted. Malachi shares that the people were robbing God by not presenting to the Lord His portion. Yet, a lesson was to be understood.

Understanding the Lesson

In understanding the lesson, Malachi reemphasizes that if the Lord’s commands are properly observed, there will be blessing among the people.

Malachi 3:12 NIV84

12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

The lesson is simple: do what God says and be blessed. But, the Israelites did not do this. But what did God do? He provided another chance for His people. He sent His messenger Malachi with a clear word. Those who do His commands will be blessed, but the wicked will not fare so well.

Malachi 4:1–3 NIV84

1 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the Lord Almighty.

Understanding the Love

We must understand the love that is demonstrated here. God loves His people. He is willing to do whatever He can to restore relationships. However, He will not allow unholiness. Psalm 93:5

Psalm 93:5 NIV84

5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord.

It is from His holiness that He loves His people. It is because of His love that He desires us to be in a relationship with Him and to trust Him in His commands. God wants His people to be reconciled with Him.

Matthew Henry wrote, “God will not only be reconciled to sinners that repent and reform, but He will be a benefactor, a beautiful benefactor, to them.”

The law, lesson and love that are mentioned in this text are about the aspect of tithing. So let’s talk about this a bit more.

Tithing

Let’s look at at definition of tithing.

Defining the Tithe

The Mosaic Law first introduced the concept of tithing using the word offerings. Exodus 22:29

Exodus 22:29 (NIV84)

29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.

Tithe means tenth. Tithes and offerings have always been an expression to God of our faith and love. So how was the tithe to be determined?

Determining the Tithe

In the Old Testament Law, the tithe was to be a tenth and first. Proverbs 3:9-10

Proverbs 3:9–10 NIV84

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

There is an emphasis also that the whole tithe should be brought before the Lord, not just a part of it. Part of the context of the Malachi 3:10 passages is that people were not bringing the whole tithe. We will discuss this more in a bit, but before we do, notice that the tithe had a specific way it was to be gathered and distributed.

Distributing the Tithe

Malachi 3:10 tells us to bring the whole tithe to the storehouse. We know from scripture that the temple had several storehouses in the temple complex. For example, Nehemiah 12:44

Nehemiah 12:44 NIV84

44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.

Nehemiah 13:4 NIV84

4 Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,

Nehemiah 13:13 NIV84

13 I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because these men were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their brothers.

The tithes supported the Levites, priests, orphans, widows, and aliens. In other words, the tithes were gathered to do ministry.

We can see from these various Old Testament passages that tithing was part of God’s design in how His people responded to His faithfulness. I am reminded that if God has instituted this, we can trust Him and we can follow in obedience.

Trusting

We can always trust the Lord and His Word. There are those that think that tithing was just an Old Testament way of life. Many do not like hearing about it. It is a process in which we can trust God for sure. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Tithing, of course, is not making a bargain with God; but God does promise to bless and care for those who are faithful in their stewardship.”

Trusting the Teaching

One thing that stands out through tithing is that just like the rest of God’s commands, we can trust the teaching that is given in these scriptures. Scripture after scripture assures us that if we are obedient to these commands, we well be blessed. If we are not, we will not be blessed. Our relationship with God is based on a covenant relationship. Our part of the covenant is to call Him Lord of all. It is totally surrendering to His will and His ways! Deuteronomy 28:10-12

Deuteronomy 28:10–12 NIV84

10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. 11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

We can trust the teaching and we can trust in the concept of tithing.

Galatians 6:6 NIV84

6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

Trusting in Tithing

I would dare say that most of us have grown up with a legalistic approach to tithing. However, I want to remind you that because of what Jesus has done for us, we are no longer bound by the law. However, as we can tell from the passage in 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 that we have already read, the New Testament speaks much about generousity and giving. We should not give because of the law, but because of what God has done for us and the overflow of our thanksgiving for Him! Another example is found in Acts 4:32-35

Acts 4:32–35 NIV84

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

I still believe in the truth about what God’s word says about tithing. If we do so we will be blessed.

Trusting Through Testing

Malachi 3:10 (NIV84)

10 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.

What if we were to do what this says? What if we prayed about our finances and especially our giving? What if we trusted God enough to test Him? What if we practiced 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

2 Corinthians 9:6–9 NIV84

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

Thoughtfulness

As we do, we are going to be thoughtful in our giving.

Giving Voluntarily

We should give voluntarily. Not because we are required by the law to do so, but because we trust the Lord and totally have surrendered to Him. The passage here says not reluctantly or under compulsion.

Giving Vigorously

That also implies to me that I should give vigorously. I should give in a way that gives me a healthy state of being. My giving should never be in a way that I dread.

Giving Victoriously

Finally, we should give in a way that is victoriously. We should be trusting God and leaning not on our own understanding. We should be allowing the overflow of His grace and mercy to come through us knowing that all we are and all we have comes from Him!

So with that in mind, are you trusting God with your finances and giving Him in return the practice of tithes and offerings?

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “If every church member would bring the Lord His due (10% of the income, the tithe), and then add offerings (as an expression of gratitude), our local churches would have more than enough for their ministries. And they would be able to share generously with the many other good ministries they support.”

Would you pray about that with me? I believe God wants to do a pouring out on our church in a way we have never known. All He wants from us is total surrender. Will you join me?