Tithe, Offering, and the Blessing of Grace-Filled Giving
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Good morning church fam. If there’s one topic that tends to make people squirm in church, it’s money. For some, it brings up bad experiences or misunderstandings. For others, it raises questions like, “Do I really have to tithe?” or “Is giving still relevant today?”
But here’s the truth:
giving is not about money—it’s about the heart.
It’s not about pressure or guilt—it’s about grace and worship.
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture teaches that God is a giver—He gave us life, He gave us creation, and ultimately, He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. When we give, we reflect the very nature of our generous God.
Today, we’re going to look at what the Bible really says about tithes, offerings, and the blessings that come from living a generous life. You’ll see that giving wasn’t just a Law of the Old Testament—it’s a principle of faith, a practice of grace, and a pathway to blessing.
So whether you’ve been tithing for years or you’re still wondering what it’s all about—let’s open our hearts and the Word of God, and allow Him to teach us what it means to give with joy, faith, and freedom.
The subject of money and the church has received a bad reputation and rightfully so. There are those who take advantage of people and some pastors and church leaders are all about the Benjamins. If you know me or the leaders of this church at all, you know we are not about the Benjamins. We are about obedience. Obedience to the Word and voice of God.
Giving is an attribute of God and since we are an image bearer of God, it must also be an attribute of us.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
If you read through this chapter, Paul is speaking of giving…specifically in finances towards the church and those in need.
But there is a much deeper principle here than just giving of finances…that principle is
how and why we give matters just as much as what we give.
The Greek word for “cheerful” is the root word where we get the word hilarious. God delights in people who find joy and freedom in giving. It reflects the heart of God!
It’s the attitude of the heart behind it all that God cares about. God values the heart, not just the act.
All through Scripture you will find the subject of finances…in the Old and New Testament.
The Tithe — A Principle of Firstfruits, Not Law
The Tithe — A Principle of Firstfruits, Not Law
I have been asked throughout pastoring what is the difference between the tithe and offering? Are they the same? Is the tithe under Old or New Covenant? I heard the tithe was under the Law so we don’t have to ascribe to it anymore.
I hope to answer these and more today. So let’s dive into the tithe.
The word “tithe” simply means tenth - it is described as ones first 10% of income or increase.
There are some who believe that followers of Christ are no longer commanded to tithe because the tithe was under the Law and because of what Christ did on the cross we are no longer under the Law.
Here is what most don’t know. The discipline of tithing was around before the Law was ever put into place and Jesus supported it.
In Genesis chapter 14 we see Abraham, before the Mosaic Law was put into place, gave a tenth (tithe) to Melchizedek.
Melchizedek was a king, but also a high priest. He is a mysterious figure we read about in the Old Testament and some wonder who exactly was he.
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.
3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
Based on this Scripture some believe that he was a type of Christ or to put it simpler a symbolic foreshadowing of what was to come. Some believe that he was Jesus. Either way, Abraham gave a tenth of his increase showing that God was in charge of it all.
So the argument that tithing was part of the Law cannot stand because it was around before the Law was written. Not only that, Jesus supports tithing.
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
In this statement, Jesus affirms the practice of tithing, but emphasizes that it must not come at the expense of weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He does not dismiss tithing but supports it as a valid act of obedience when coupled with a heart aligned with God’s greater values. Both treating people right and tithing matter to God.
This principle of putting God first still stands even though we are not under the Mosaic Law. Tithing should not be viewed as some sort of lawful obligation, but it should be a response of our faith.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.
Everything in this world belongs to God and as followers of Christ, we put our trust in Him that He will provide.
The Lord told me years ago concerning the tithe, “If you are faithful to my house, I will be faithful to yours.” The Lord has provided over and over again. From needing a new car to God providing a washer and dryer.
Tithing is like training wheels for giving. It helps discipline our finances to put God first and teach our hearts to live open-handed. If you never plan to tithe, you never will.
Now that we understand the tithe—the first 10% given to God as an act of obedience and trust—we need to recognize that giving doesn’t stop at the tithe. The tithe is the starting point, not the finish line.
The Offering
The Offering
But here’s where many stop short: they use grace as a reason to give less, when in reality, grace empowers us to give more.
This brings us to the second type of giving found throughout Scripture: the offering.
While the tithe is required and consistent, offerings are freewill, Spirit-led gifts that go beyond obligation. Offerings are not about a percentage, but about personal generosity. Offerings reflect our gratitude, our compassion, and our desire to support God’s work in deeper ways.
Let’s look now at how offerings function in both the Old and New Testaments—and why they still matter today.
In the Old Testament we see the building a the Tabernacle of Moses. The tabernacle was the place where the presence of God was. It was God’s house if you will. It is here that the Lord commanded Moses to take up an offering.
5 ‘Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze,
6 and blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goats’ hair,
7 and rams’ skins dyed red, and porpoise skins, and acacia wood,
8 and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense,
9 and onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece.
21 Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.
The tabernacle was built not by taxes, a fundraiser, or a loan, but by the freewill offerings of the people. It was here that God forgave sins. It was here the presence of God rested. It was in the tabernacle that the high priest would go before God on behalf of the people. It was here that ministry was taking place.
Flip over to the New Testament and we see this idea of offerings continue. We see it in the first church.
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
That’s not 10%—that’s radical generosity! They weren’t living under Law; they were living under grace, and grace took them further.
Paul commended the Macedonian churches who gave sacrificially…not from wealth, but from their deep generosity and faith.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
In both of these instances, the beginning of the people of God’s generosity began with their relationship with the Father and understanding the grace they received.
Grace lifts the standard
Think about what Jesus did with other commands:
The Law said, “Don’t murder.” Jesus said, “Don’t hate.”
The Law said, “Don’t commit adultery.” Jesus said, “Don’t even lust.”
The Law said, “Give 10%.” Grace says, “Surrender everything.”
Grace doesn’t lower the bar—it raises it. If 10% was the standard under the Law, how much more should we be willing to give under grace, knowing all that Christ has done for us?
The tithe and the offering both reflect the condition of the heart.
When you heart is not in a good place with God, you will hold back. Think about it, we do it with other spiritual disciplines.
Prayer
Scripture reading
Gathering with others in the body
Church
Fellowship with one another
One thing I know about God is He is a giver. All throughout Scripture God gives.
Salvation
Eternal Life
The Holy Spirit
Peace
Wisdom
Grace
Spiritual Gifts
17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Our God is a giver and because we bear His image we too are to be givers!
We should always be looking for opportunities to give—to missionaries, the poor, outreach ministries, building funds, and needs around us. Offerings are a way to say: “God, I love You, and I trust You more than money.”
Blessing and Purpose of Giving
Blessing and Purpose of Giving
We’ve seen that while the tithe is foundational, and offerings reflect generosity and gratitude, there’s still one more layer to understand:
Why we give —and what happens when we do.
Giving isn’t just about what leaves our hand. Giving is not just a financial transaction—it’s a spiritual exchange. It’s about what happens in our heart, our community, and even in Heaven.
God doesn’t ask us to give so He can take something from us (as if God who spoke everything into existence needs anything from us); no instead:
He invites us to give so He can bless us, use us, and transform us through our obedience.
Carly and I have discovered the blessing of giving and the deeper purpose behind it. Because when we give with the right heart, God multiplies it in ways we could never imagine.
When we give:
We worship God by acknowledging Him as our Provider
We partner with His mission to spread the Gospel
We bless others and become a conduit for God’s generosity
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.
There is a divine principle that is a work when we give with a cheerful heart. Our generosity leads to provision.
God has different math than we do. We think Common Core math is hard to understand. God’s math is mysterious. I just know it works out. I don’t always know how, but God can make something little and stretch it into something big. He can take a little and make it a lot.
We look at what we have and say we don’t have enough to give. But when God looks at it, He says yes you do. This is where trust comes in.
I find it funny that a lot of Christians trust in God for their eternity, but have a hard time trusting Him with their finances.
The very first church we pastored was a hard season for us. But the Lord showed us it was a season that wasn’t wasted.
There were times when I wouldn’t receive a salary. The reason is not because the finances weren’t there. The finances were, but the heart of the people was not in line with God. We were told “we are not afraid to starve out a pastor”. Those people tried. And failed. Because we learned that God was our provider.
We were faithful in our giving . During that seasoned we may not have had everything we wanted, but we had everything we needed.
When we needed a car. God provided. When we needed things for our babies. God provided. When we needed food. God provided. We even had random cash show up in the mail from another state. God provided.
Why? Because we gave. We honored God and because we honored God we were blessed. Our generosity led to God’s provision.
Jesus said:
38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
This passage of Scripture isn’t really about money, it is about the condition of your heart. The “measure” you use…whether it be stingy or generous…is not just a standard of action, but in reality it is a reflection of your heart.
Jesus is teaching us that God responds to us in the spirit in which we give, not just the act of itself. A heart that is full of faith, gratitude, and compassion will give with a generous measure. That same measure is the pattern God uses to pour blessings back into your life.
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When you heart is aligned where God’s heart is - loving, generous, and others focused - your giving will reflect that. And Jesus says when you give from that place, you will never come up short. Instead, God will give back to you pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
No this is not a manipulation formula either. God delights in a generous heart.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
We don’t give to manipulate God—we give to honor Him. We don’t give out of pressure—we give out of joy and faith. And we don’t give sporadically—we develop a lifestyle of giving that flows from your relationship with Jesus.
Closing
Closing
As we wrap up today, remember this: giving is not about money — it’s about the heart.
It’s never been just about percentages or amounts; it’s always been about love, trust, and worship.
Yes, we tithe out of obedience. Yes, we give offerings out of gratitude. Yes, we bless the poor because we are called to reflect God’s compassion.
But the greatest motivation for giving isn’t a rule — it’s the Gospel.
“For God so loved the world that He gave…” – John 3:16
God didn’t just give 10%.
He didn’t give leftovers.
He gave His only Son — Jesus Christ — as a perfect sacrifice for our sin.
And Jesus?
He didn’t give reluctantly.
He didn’t give under compulsion.
He gave Himself willingly — all the way to the cross — so that you and I could be forgiven, free, and brought into the family of God.
If you’re here today and you’ve never received that gift, that’s the first and most important act of giving you can respond to — the gift of salvation.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So before we talk about giving money, God is inviting you to give your heart.
And for those who have already received Christ, the only natural response to that kind of love is to say,
“Lord, everything I have is Yours.
Not just 10%, not just on Sundays — but all of me.”
Invitation:
Invitation:
If you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus, today is your day.
If you’ve been holding back from God in any area — including your giving — today is the day to say,
“Lord, I trust You. I give You my whole life.”
If you’re here today and you’ve never fully surrendered your life to Jesus, this is your moment.
Before God ever asks you to give anything — time, resources, money — He asks for your heart.
If you feel the Holy Spirit tugging on you today… if you’re ready to stop holding back… I want to invite you to step out in faith and come forward. We’d love to pray with you and help you take that next step in your walk with Jesus.
And maybe you’ve already received salvation, but you’ve been holding back in your trust — especially in the area of giving.
Maybe you’ve been giving out of habit or pressure, but not from joy or faith. Today’s your day to say:
“God, I’m not giving to get — I’m giving because I’ve already received so much in You.”
Come. Let’s lay it all down before the Lord — not just our finances, but our whole lives.
Prayer
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being our Provider and Sustainer. Help us to honor You with our tithe, worship You through our offerings, and live generous lives that reflect Your heart. May we give freely, cheerfully, and joyfully—not from compulsion, but from a place of love. Use what we give to impact lives and advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
