TITHING

Is not something we at Calvary Chapel speak of often, but we rely on the Holy Spirit working in each of you concerning this topic.

However, that being said, I feel it is my duty as part of the church as an Elder and church treasurer to remind you of why we tithe.

The Lord commands us to tithe.

This is mentioned 14 times in the old testament, twice in the NT.

What is the purpose of the tithe.

Provide for the house of G-d

2 Kings 12:9 NKJV

Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of the Lord; and the priests who kept the door put there all the money brought into the house of the Lord.

This is where we get the idea of having the tithe and offering boxes at the back of the church.

We do not pass an offering plate, because we feel it is something between you and the Lord.

Provide for the Pastor

1 Timothy 5:18 NKJV

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

1 Corinthians 9:9–14 NKJV

For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Why it is important

G-d sees it as a matter of your commitment to Him. We need to trust Him, and He will provide for us.

The most well known verse about tithing is in Malachi.

Malachi 3:8–12 ““Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.”

We need to remember this was an agrarian society, and the idea of bringing things to the storehouse was to provide food for the Levites - those who tended to the house of G-d. Nowadays we don’t usually give food to the pastor, but rather money so he can take care of his house.

How are your tithes used

Pay Church’s bills - electric/water/sewer, property insurance, radio station licensing, CCLI/EasyWorship licenses (annual), Internet, website/web app, VoIP phone for the office.

Pastor’s compensation - monthly check (compensation/housing allowance)