Tithing: The Foundation of Faithful Stewardship
2024 Missions • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Today marks the beginning of our Mission Month here at Calvary Baptist Church. It is our custom each year to use this month to focus our attention on stewardship and evangelism. Both go hand in hand, as Christ commanded us to take the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection into all the world. The great thing is that God will enable us to do so if we follow His stewardship principles. When we choose to obey these biblical principles, God blesses us. Through those blessings, we have the finances to fund our ministry here at home and ample resources to help broaden the scope of the gospel through worldwide missions. So, as we begin this month of stewardship, we start with the first stewardship principle of tithing. With that in mind, let's...
Begin with the Beginning!
Begin with the Beginning!
There are many Old Testament passages about first fruits and tithing.
29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee.
24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
“First fruits” refers to the initial produce from crops and herds. Each piece of fruit and every firstborn animal was considered holy by God, signifying that they belonged solely to Him. By giving the “first fruits” to God, individuals acknowledged His ownership of the land and all subsequent crops and animals. Before consuming any produce at harvest time, people were instructed to set apart the best representatives of their crops as the first fruits.
What's intriguing is that there is no specific mention of amounts when referring to “first fruits.” God simply instructed for the “first fruits” to be sanctified. However, God also used the term “tithe,” which does provide specific guidelines on amounts.
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.
Please take note that God specifically mentioned that the "tithe of the land" belongs to Him. He used the term "tithe of the land" and specified it by mentioning the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree. This means that everything belongs to Him, not just some things. It was also considered "holy," meaning that it was set apart and meant to be given to Him, not used for any other purpose. It's important to note that this command from God was intended for all of Israel, from the farmers to the priests, the tithe belonged to God.
5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
The text emphasizes that all the people of Israel, not just the farmers, were expected to tithe. God expected complete obedience to this practice without any exceptions. Additionally, everyone, including those who made and sold clothes, pottery, jewelry, herdsmen, and farmers, was responsible for tithing.
The very first mention of tithing is found in Genesis 14:20
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
In this story, Abraham, the father of Israel, gave a tithe to Melchizedek, honoring “the most high God.” It's worth noting that even before Israel was commanded to tithe, Abraham honored God by tithing. Abraham tithed a tenth of all his possessions, giving "him tithes of all." At that time in the story, Abraham had conquered several wealthy kings and taken their spoils. Therefore, he tithed all the jewelry, pottery, clothing, art, crafts, and money from that spoil.
Biblical Meaning of Tithing!
Biblical Meaning of Tithing!
Let’s go back for a moment to God’s command in Leviticus 27:30 and do a simple word study.
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.
The word “tithe” is the Hebrew word “maser.” It literally means an offering of a tenth of one’s possessions, including livestock and produce.
Some teach today that the word “tithe” is simply a synonym for giving. In other words, you can DONATE 2 percent, 4 percent, or even 6 percent of your income. The choice is yours. Unfortunately, those who teach completely ignore the word's true meaning.
Interestingly, God, the Creator of the Universe, warned Israel about giving anything less than the full tenth or 10 percent.
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation.
In the Old Testament, God EXPECTED the Israelites to give Him 10 percent of their income as tithes, and also to give freewill offerings. Those who did not do this were considered robbers by God. Some people argue that tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament and only freewill offerings are required. However, even if we entertain this argument, it is clear that God's EXPECTATION regarding giving remained the same for the New Testament saints. Therefore, when we fail to give our tithes and offerings, it displeases God.
Look again at another Old Testament passage.
22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
Tithing's purpose in verse 23 is that people might “learn to fear” the LORD in all their ways. Each time they gave 10 percent, they made a statement about the remaining 90 percent, acknowledging that it all belongs to Him, the Creator of the Universe.
Unfortunately, tithing can be misunderstood and abused, but God still intends it to be a means of teaching people about Him. It is meant to be a meaningful expression of our dependence upon Him and our gratitude to Him.
Tithing has practical and logical benefits. It is clear and consistent, specifically detailed as 10 percent in the Old Testament to be given at each harvest. It's also simple enough that even children can learn and practice it. Each time we tithe, we increase our commitment to God’s work.
Tithing is a significant factor in spiritual growth. Every believer who learns to participate in tithing reaches a new level of spiritual growth. Tithing is where they start, and many believers' freewill offerings grow out of their willingness to tithe as they learn the discipline and joy of giving.
Here are some arguments against tithing and the answers.
Isn’t Tithing Legalistic?
Isn’t Tithing Legalistic?
The argument that tithing is legalism is a common cop-out among many Christians. They claim that tithing was part of the Old Testament and the Law, and therefore, believers are now free from the bondage of the Law and can practice only "grace giving" in the New Testament. They argue that teaching tithing is legalistic.
However, it's important to recognize that legalism can apply to anything, such as church attendance, prayer, and even recreational activities. The solution to legalism is not to stop practicing these things, nor should we consider tithing inherently legalistic. Making such a claim dismisses the many believers who quietly practice tithing and have drawn closer to God through it.
Taking a closer look at the Old Testament practice of tithing, we find that the children of Israel gave three different tithes, one of which was given every third year. When adding up all three tithes, it amounts to roughly 23 percent of their income. I encourage you to read the verses that support this and note the percentages.
Numbers 18:21, 24; Deuteronomy 12:17-18; 14:22-23, 28-29; 26:12-13.
Now, let's consider one of these tithes. One of their tithes supported the Levites, who, in practicality, were the religious leaders, the ruling priesthood, of Israel.
21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
Now, compare that to a New Testament passage.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
God instructed the Israelites to give 10 percent so that the Levites could do their work and be the spiritual leaders God desired without concern for financial means. However, in many churches across America, only 2.5 percent is given in support of pastors, missions, and ministry. 2.5 percent is only a quarter of a tithe. In other words, the Israelites were four times more responsive to God’s Law than the average American Christian is to God’s grace! Think about that for a moment.
The point is this: When you consider how much Old Testament saints gave under the law and compare that to how much New Testament Christians give today, it is stunning to realize how much we are robbing God today.
Some argue that tithing is legalistic and that we are under God’s grace; thus, we must “give by grace” and not according to the Law. However, all who claim to live by “grace giving” do grace a grave injustice. They insult the term grace by lowering its standards.
If you truly gave by grace, you would give the same amount of grace that God shows to us each day, which is unlimited.
It's important to understand that we should be pro-grace and anti-legalism. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. My point is that we should always favor any spiritual discipline that launches believers into a life of consistent obedience. Tithing does that very thing. It is the launchpad, the beginning of generous giving.
Tithing is one of the first steps to spiritual growth. Like baptism and church membership, tithing helps a believer take amazing leaps in their spiritual growth.
Is New Testament Tithing a Real Thing?
Is New Testament Tithing a Real Thing?
There are many who claim that tithing is only taught in the Old Testament and not the New Testament. For those people, I often show them this passage.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
This is Christ Himself speaking. Note that He affirmed tithing in this verse. He notes that the religious leaders were tithing. They paid the tithe. Christ says, “These ought ye to have done.” In other words, they were doing the right thing by tithing. It was accepted by God to tithe. However, their biggest problem was not the action of tithing but the fact they were not doing many other important things as well.
Those who argue against tithing in the New Testament often state, “The New Testament advocates voluntary offerings.” It does. It is a true statement. But guess what? The Old Testament also advocated for voluntary offerings. Voluntary giving was not a new concept, nor was tithing a new concept. It has never been a matter of giving the minimum tithe versus the above-and-beyond of a voluntary offering. Both have always coexisted.
You see, tithing isn’t the finish line of giving; it’s the starting point.
There was not much need for Christ to teach tithing because it was already accepted and practiced by the Jews. No, the teaching of the New Testament is always about doing more than just what the Law demands because we are now under grace. Thus, tithing is what the Law requires and is the starting point. However, if you truly want to demonstrate God’s sacrificial love and grace, give above and beyond the tithe. Giving the tithe is the least you can do in obedience to God. However, if you want to go beyond obedience truly, give the tithe plus a freewill offering.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
This verse teaches us that if we only do the minimum, such as giving the tithe, we will only receive the minimum of God’s blessings. However, if we truly want to experience the full extent of God’s blessings, we should give more than the tithe. There's no limit to how much we can give, and the more we give, the more we will receive. As we give, "God can make all grace abound toward you."
Therefore, the tithe should be seen as the starting point. We should give the tithe, and then give even more, and witness how God will work in our lives.
I Am Too Poor to Tithe!
I Am Too Poor to Tithe!
Some people may argue that they cannot afford to tithe. However, consider this: if your income was reduced by 10 percent, would you physically die?
Most people would admit that they wouldn't. They would find a way to manage. So, what is the real issue here? It's not about tithing as much as about not wanting to tithe.
Here's the truth and the irony: Many believers "can't afford" to give because they are not giving.
The simple reality is that tithing comes down to priorities.
Take Israel, for example. After they returned home from their 70 years of exile (which, by the way, was God's punishment for their continued disobedience), they found themselves in a similar situation. They returned and immediately busied themselves with working their farms, building homes, and spending money. However, as they did so, they were not tithing and allowed God's house, the Temple, to lay in ruins. What were they doing? They were doing the same thing many believers do today. They live for themselves and do not obey God with their tithes. Please note carefully what God said to them through the prophet Haggai.
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; And when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, And ye run every man unto his own house.
By not making the tithe a top priority in their lives, God withheld His blessings. Instead, God took the money that should have been given to Him and blew it away!
Many believers testify how easily they live on 90, even 70, or 80 percent of their income—even some right here in our congregation. In fact, many can testify that their financial problems were not the result of tithing but of withholding their tithe.
Here is another consideration.
Some might reason this way. They might say, “If I haven’t been giving at all, won’t God understand if I move toward it gradually, starting at 3 or 5 percent?” Giving 3 or 5 percent is better than nothing. Randy Alcorn, in his book, Managing God’s Money, makes the following argument.
“…suppose I told you that I’ve been robbing convenience stores, knocking off about a dozen a year. Then I say, ‘This year I’m only going to rob a half dozen!’ Well, granted, that’s an improvement. But what would you advise me to do?”
The point is this: The solution to robbing God is not to rob Him less but to stop robbing Him at all.
Should I Tithe the Gross or Net Income?
Should I Tithe the Gross or Net Income?
Let’s clarify some terms. Gross income is the total amount received before taxes and deductions. Net income is what remains after taxes and other deductions have been taken out. This question often arises when considering tithing. Some argue that money we never see should not be considered as actual income.
What is the right answer?
Here's a thought: If God's blessings are based on what we give, perhaps we should consider what we want to be blessed on - the gross or the net?
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Would you desire God to open the windows of Heaven and bless you according to the gross or the net amount?
The point is simple. When we faithfully give to Him, God blesses us. How does He bless us? He entrusts more to our care. All of us must determine that we will be generous and wise with whatever amount of His money He asks us to manage for His honor and glory.
Conclusion
Conclusion
This morning, we discussed the principle of tithing in stewardship. We started by reflecting on the fact that God required both the first fruits and a tithe from Israel, establishing a fundamental principle of giving and stewardship that continues today. We also explored the biblical definition of tithing, emphasizing that it represents 10 percent. Additionally, we addressed common arguments related to teaching about tithing, clarifying that tithing is not inherently legalistic but can be misconstrued as such by individuals. Both the Old and New Testaments advocate for both tithing and free offerings, and even Christ Himself affirmed tithing during His earthly ministry. For those who argue that they are too poor to tithe, it was suggested that their financial situation might improve by embracing tithing instead of avoiding it. The text also touched on whether one should tithe from their gross or net income, encouraging individuals to seek as much of God's blessing as possible. Ultimately, every believer must decide to be faithful with whatever money or possessions God has entrusted to them, with the tithe serving as the initial step. The advice given was to give the tithe and witness the work of God.
