Why do we give?

Malachi 3:6–12 CSB

6 “Because I, the Lord, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. 7 “Since the days of your ancestors, you have turned from my statutes; you have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Armies. Yet you ask, “How can we return?” 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. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the Lord of Armies. 12 “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of Armies.

What is a tithe?

Tithe = a tenth or 10%

This is the portion of our offering that God has deemed as belonging to him

God gave a command to his people that they are to give the first 10% of their fruits. They would literally bring it to the store house of the temple that it would be used to fulfill the needs regarding ministry.

Filling the needs of ministry means something different today. Today we pay electric bills, insurance, gas bills and use it for the work of ministry within the community.

What is the store house?

The store house is the place you go to get spiritually fed. In our case, it would be the church you attend. There is debate about this. But I have come to believe that tithing goes to the church you are part of. When you give to something else that is an offering. An offering is over and above your tithe. Tithing is an act of faithful obedience to God. Offering is an act of Generosity. Tithing is the expected amount determined by God. Offering is the amount determined in your heart between you and God to go above and beyond the 10%.

Pour down a blessing

I know 10% seems like a lot and for some people it seems sacrificial to give that amount but in reality if you budget your money around serving God it is not a painful act. We have no problem making room in the budget to eat out, go on trips, buy pointless things and have all our entertainment. But when God asks us to give 10% to him we lose our minds. When you give God your 10%, he takes the other 90% and increases it. Sometimes that looks like holding back the devourer, other times it means sending in a physical increase of finance. When someone says they can’t afford to tithe what they really mean is “I don’t prioritize my finances around God.”

This message is not me demanding money or trying to shame anyone our church has a 65% tithing rate. Although it should be 100% we are far above the national average. I believe that God will supply all our needs. Just one example is we fed 300 people without taking a penny from the church budget because God brought in donations left and right that we never sought out. I am simply encouraging you to obey God in your finances just like I encourage you to obey him in anything else.

God promises that when we tithe and center our finances around him he pours out a blessing upon each of us that makes sure we have all that we need. But do understand that tithing does not make up for bad stewardship. You can’t be reckless and expect God to make up for all of your bad decisions all the time.

Sowing and Reaping

The Concept of giving and tithing is not an Old Testament idea. Tithing was established before the Old Testament law and giving is taught on again in the New Testament. Paul teaches it in 2 Corinthians 9:6-13.

2 Corinthians 9:6–13 CSB

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. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9 As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone.

We get blessed back based on what we sow in

He Gave you the seed to begin with and he will give you even more

Seed is for sowing

It is a matter of the heart

God will provide every need according to his grace

And also give you grace to excel in your good work

The purpose of giving is to make ministry work

Giving is proof to others about the gospel as it allows the church to meet peoples needs both spiritually and physically