Why Tithe?

Introduction

The first issue that began it all was a message titled ‘Why Church?’ - where we looked at the importance of church, and why church should be a priority in our lives.

Why Church? (Why does the Church & Church Attendance Matter?)

Because Jesus was Crucified for It

Because it’s God’s Chosen Vessel to Accomplish His Will

Because of Our Command, Our Commission & Our Concern

It shows whether we’re concerned about our Brethren, our Commission, our Command or even our Lord.

Why Train? (Why and How we should Train our Children)

We looked at The Particulars, The Process & the Permanence of Training our Children

Why the Bible? (What Makes the Bible Special?)

Because of It’s Author, It’s Accuracy, It’s Accessibility, It’s Ability

Topics we didn’t get to include: Because it’s Alive; It’s Applicable & Because of it’s Authority

Why Jesus? (Why is Jesus Important?)

Because Jesus Loves Us; He Laid Down His Life for Us; He Lives; He Left Us Promises; He is LORD

Why Pray? (Why is prayer necessary to the Christian?)

Because we have Opportunity; Obligation; Demonstrates Obedience; & So that we Might Overcome

Why Serve?

For Duty Sake; To Deliver the Oppressed; To Defend the Helpless & To Demonstrate Who We Are

Today the topic that we’re going to address is ‘Why Tithe’. This topic seems to strike a nerve amongst many for multiple reasons.

Some recoil at it because the television preachers have polluted and perverted the doctrine and in doing so has taken advantage of unsuspecting people.

I want to assure you at the onset, that the prosperity gospel that so many televangelists preach - the Mike Murdocks, Joel Osteens, Creflo Dollars & Benni Hinns of the world is not what you will hear today. And just so that I’m clear, the message that they espouse I believe is not of God, but is of their father the devil. It’s the likes of so-called preachers like that that have led more souls astray than heathens ever have.

Some recoil at it because the believe that that’s all the preacher is after is your money.

Church, If you know me, you know that I could care less about what you give - What I care about is where your heart is at in relation to the LORD. In the 11 years that I’ve been a pastor, I have not yet once asked, inquired or otherwise tried to find out what anybody gives to the work of the LORD.

It’s because these misconceptions I have in the past intentionally avoided the topic of tithes and offerings specifically. I would mention it here and there, but rarely teach or preach on the issue.

In fact, when I first began preaching I made the contrasting statements:

‘I will preach the full council of God - if people don’t like it, tough’. Then I also said:

‘I will not preach about money’

The reason I didn’t want to preach about money is because of how some people view a preacher and where their heart is that is preaching it. I did not want to get people hung up on that topic and then have them ignore the Gospel of Christ.

Church but the truth is, if you know anything about the Bible, you cannot preach the full council of God WITHOUT preaching about tithes and offerings. God speaks of giving (financially) throughout the Word of God.

Then lastly, some recoil at it simply because their heart is not right with the LORD on this topic.

Just like some aren’t right concerning Church attendance, or Service, or any other doctrine.

So if you fall into one of those categories and have already begun to turn me off, I ask you to just hear what I have to say and line it up against the Scripture, examine your heart and follow the leading of the LORD.

Secondly church, I titled this message ‘Why Tithe?’ for a reason. I want you to fully understand a few things:

First off, I’m speaking today about your money. I’m not talking about your time & talents - you owe those to God to, but we addressed them last week.

Secondly, I am using the term ‘tithe’ because as a New Testament Christian, (a tenth) should be the bare minimum that you should be giving unto the LORD - and I will show you that today.

The better terminology would be ‘Tithes and Offerings’, but for simplicities sake, we will just use the word ‘tithe’.

So, prayerfully with that introduction, I have laid a groundwork that will allow me to give you Biblical instruction regarding your finances and how you should view them and treat them in regards to your duties as a Christian. This message will undoubtedly be more instructional than anything, and I pray it helps you in your walk.

So Why Tithe? First off, because it’s God’s Will

I. Because It’s God’s Will

The Foundation of the Tithe (Gen. 14:14-20; Heb. 7:2; Gen. 28:22)

The first thing that I want to establish is the first instances of the tithe, and what it means.

In Gen. 14, we see the patriarch Abraham meeting after battle a man who is the king of Salem by the name of Melchizedek. If you read in Heb. 7, you see that this man Melchisedec’s ministry is likened unto Christ Himself.

So we see that as far back as Abraham in Gen. 14 had given tithes of his increase to the priest of the Most High God.

Moving forward, Abraham begats Isaac, then Isaac begats Jacob, and in Gen. 28, Jacob has a vision of Christ - the ladder that reaches from earth unto Heaven, and when he awoke, he said this: Gen. 28:20-22 “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”

So we see the Foundation of the tithe. Why is this important?

Because we see that prior to the Law, the tenth of the men of God’s increase was established as the amount set aside to give unto the LORD. This pre-dates Moses and the covenant that God would make with the COI regarding the tithe by over 600 years.

This will be an important concept to gather as we move forward.

So we see the Foundation of the Tithe

The Proclamation of the Tithe (Lev. 27:26-30; Num. 18:21;26)

The purpose of the tithe was to take care of the needs of the God’s Servants

To understand this, you must first understand the manner in which God’s people were setup.

If you look at Canaan’s Land after the COI took possession, you will find twelve land allotments for the COI. Now, if you know your Bible, you know that Israel had 12 sons, one of which was Levi. However, you will not find a land inheritance with the name of Levi on it. Consequently, you will not find one labeled “Joseph” either.

The reason is, Joseph was recognized by God as the legitimate first-born, and as such, was given a ‘double portion’ as his inheritance. So his two children Manasseh & Ephraim have inheritances of land, but the Levites have none.

Coming out of Egypt, God had claimed all the firstborn in the land as His own. But rather than have the first born of every home of every tribe serve in the tabernacle, the Levites redeemed the first born of all the COI to do the LORD’s work (Num. 3). So the COI paid a ransom unto the Levites to do the LORD’s work instead of the firstborn.

Read: Num. 3:6-13; Lev. 27:26-30; Num. 18:21;26

The Levites did not have the same material blessings as God had given unto the other tribes, therefore, God made sure that His ministers were taken care of.

So under the Law - God’s Covenant with the COI, He proclaimed that a tithe was to be given to the ministers of the LORD for the ministry unto the people.

However, we see special collections taken up in Scripture as well.

The most notable was the free-will offering taken up for the Tabernacle itself in Exo. 35.

So we see the Proclamation of the Tithe

The Confirmation of the Tithe (Mat. 23:23; Luk. 11:42)

Some will say that since the Gospels don’t speak much concerning Jesus and the tithe, that somehow Jesus did care about it. But I’d like to focus your attention on something Jesus said unto the Pharisees, recorded in both Mat. 23:23 & Luk. 11:42.

Mat. 23:23 “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.”

In the midst of Jesus chastising the Pharisees for their wickedness, Jesus said “Hey, there’s some important stuff that you’re lacking - Yeah, you’re doing this stuff, but you should be doing this other important stuff AND the things you are doing - tithing being one of them.”

So we see Jesus Confirming the Tithe

The Amplification of the Tithe (Heb. 9:1-14)

Lastly I want to focus for a moment on the Amplification of the Tithe.

Now I want you to consider something, and we’ll expound upon it more in a minute.

Abraham gave a tithe unto the priest of the Most High God in Melchesdec

Isaac gave a tithe unto the LORD

God ordained that under the Law - they were OBLIGATED TO GIVE A TENTH.

Now compare what was to what is. Compare for a moment the sacrifices under the OT, to the Sacrifice of Christ under the NT. The book of Hebrews does a good job of comparing this, but for time sake we’ll just read a few verses:

Heb. 9:1 “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.”

Then He goes on to speak of the tabernacle and the offerings that were made then.

And how that through that offering system, the people didn’t even have access unto God.

Then the comparison: Heb. 9:11-14 “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

How much more?

How much greater in Jesus’ Sacrifice than that of bulls and goats?

I’ll say this, then we’ll expound more in a moment, but let me ask: If God REQUIRED 10% under the system of sacrifices of the OT, do you think God requires less under that of the blood of His only Begotten Son?

We Recognize the Amplification of the Tithe

So why Tithe? Because it’s God’s Will. Secondly, it’s God’s Way

II. Because It’s God’s Way

It’s God’s Way of Providing for the Work

The fact of the matter is that in order to accomplish God’s Work on this earth, it requires the means OF this earth.

Whether it’s the needs of the Sanctuary, the sending of missions, the supporting of the pastor and staff, upkeep, benevolence unto members, etc… God always has, and always will us His people to accomplish His Will.

We see that throughout the OT as we’ve already notices, but we also see it in the NT

We see it in the early church: Act. 4:32-35 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”

We see Paul’s plea several times throughout the Epistles:

In 1Cor. 9:1-11 Paul pleads with the church in Corinth to understand that they were responsible for the care of the ministers: He says in 1Cor. 9:11 “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

He tells Timothy: 1Tim. 5:17-18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

He tells the church in Galatia: Gal. 6:6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

Throughout the OT and NT we see that God’s way of providing for the ministry of the Word is through His people

It’s God’s Way of Progressing His Workers

Here’s a truth: If you want to draw closer to God, but will not trust Him with your money, you are and will continue to be stuck and unable to grow.

I’ll speak more to this point in a moment, but just for this point, understand that God utilizes the Christian’s obedience in finances to grow them in the knowledge and wisdom of God.

It’s God’s Way of Progressing His Workers

God’s Pattern must be Acknowledged

God’s Pattern is for the NT is always Higher Standards, not Lower.

Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount continually raised the standards of the OT into what He expected of His disciples. Some examples are:

Mat. 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Mat. 5:43-44 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

One cannot look honestly at Jesus’ teachings & Sacrifice and hold to the opinion that we Christians have less responsibilities than the COI.

God’s Pattern must be Acknowledged

Why Tithe? Because it’s God’s Will & God’s Way. Next, because it’s Part of our Walk

III. Because It’s Part of Our Walk

It’s simply part of our duties as Christians.

We’re instructed in many things as Christians, and giving is just one of them.

But there’s something that I want to address concerning this:

Finances Represent Security

When we think of money, we think of what it means in our life. And with money, we have a sense of security, and without it, we don’t. (Trust me, I know - I’ve been situations).

If we have money, we can have a shelter, food, car - gas for the car. We can get to our job to get more money.

So for many people, they want that sense of security, and money gives them that. The more money, the greater sense of security that they have.

That’s why it’s so hard for so many people to let loose of a large portion such as that.

So we see that Finances represent Security

Faith is Necessary for Submission

You see, the simple truth is, we need to trust in Jesus for our security instead of our wallet.

And whether or not you can let loose of God’s portion and give it to Him says a lot of where you choose to place your faith.

The Bible tells us: Heb. 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We trust God with our Salvation, we can certainly trust Him with our Finances.

Faith is Necessary for Submission

Why tithe? Because it’s God’s Will, It’s God’s Way. Because it’s Part of Our Walk, and Finally, Because… Why Not?

IV. Because Why Not?

It’s here that I want to briefly answer some common objections to close out the message.

Typical Objections

"I Can’t Afford To”

Many preachers will say ‘You can’t afford not to’, which may have some truth in it, but the truth of the matter is that you can, it’s just a matter of priorities.

People will say they can’t tithe, but they can afford cable TV, cell phones, McDonald’s latte’s,

While I’m on this, I want to answer another question: Some will question ‘Do I tithe on my net or my gross’, and I’ve heard preachers say ‘Do you want God to bless you on your net or gross’, but I think that’s a wrong way to look at it. We shouldn’t be looking to give in order to get, we should be giving because it’s our duty, our obligation & because it furthers the work of the LORD.

The truth is, you can afford to - if you choose.

“Tithing is an Old Testament Law”

I’ve already addressed this, but to recap:

Tithing pre-dates the Law

The Law Required the tithe under the blood of animals

We’re under the blood of Christ with is FAR BETTER

Tithing is an OT Law, but it doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant to us today.

"The Tithe was Substance, not Money”

A few things to say about this:

If this is your response, I submit to you that your heart is not right and you’re looking for a reason not to tithe.

Secondly, if you think it’s best to give 10% of your goods instead of your money, that’s fine. Just go to your house and pack up 10% worth of your value, sign over 10% of your house & cars… Or better yet, if you want to be true early NT church, follow the example in Acts 4 & sell everything you have and bring it unto the church and we’ll divide it up to those who have need.

The Tithe was on what God has increased to you. It’s the value not the manner in which it’s traded

"God hasn’t ‘Purposed In My Heart’ to Give”

Many fall back on Paul’s statement in 2Cor. 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

First off, Paul not speaking of a tithe, he’s speaking of an free-will offering unto saints in Jerusalem - so this is not referring to their tithe, it’s over an above that.

Secondly, make sure and read the context: 2Cor. 9:7-11 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 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: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”

Paul is saying you give, because the God of Heaven is able to multiply & increase YOUR seed & YOUR fruits (v10). This is the same premise of Faith Promise Missions Giving - but this is different from the Tithe.

Conclusion

So in conclusion church, If you ask Why Tithe? I ask you - Why Not? What reason could you possibly give to not give God what is rightfully His?