Tithing and Stewardship

God will be no mans debtor. Man gives to God with a teaspoon; God gives back to man with a shovel.

What is Tithing?
The word “tithe” means “a tenth”- one tenth of the income of one’s household.

• In Genesis 14:20 Abraham gave tithes of all he had.

• Jacob promised God a tenth. Genesis 28:22 “…I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.”

• Leviticus 27:30 Tells Israel to give a tenth of land, fruit or seed.

• The children of Israel brought tithes of all things. 2 Chronicles 31:5 “… and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.”

I will gladly bring a tenth, (or tithe), of my income and possessions.

To Whom Does all My Money and Other Possessions Belong?
1 Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

God gives me the ability and skill to earn my money; so, all I have I owe to God.

Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Psalms 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”

When do I Give Tithes?
Whenever something comes into my home. If I am paid weekly, I should give weekly. If I am paid monthly, I should give monthly.

Where do I Bring My Tithe?
Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in mine house…”

The storehouse is God’s house- the local church I attend- where I receive my spiritual food. The work of the local church is carried on by the tithes and offerings given by God’s people.

The Church- Luke 21:1-4 "And He looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And He said, 'Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.'"

What Should be My Attitude in My Giving?
2 Corinthians 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.”

I will purpose to give my tithe. I will set it aside to give before my budget of spending for anything else. Giving to God’s work must come first.

What is the Relationship Between Giving and Receiving?
2 Corinthians 9:6 “…He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Malachi 3:8, 10, 11 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, ‘Wherein have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings.' ... Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat (food) in My 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, and I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruit of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field,' saith the Lord of hosts.”

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Does God Want Me to Prosper?
Psalms 35:27 "Let them shout for joy and be glad, that favor my righteous causes: yea, let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

Deuteronomy 8:18 “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

God promises to give us all we need to accomplish His will in our lives. He gives us as much more as we can handle without being spoiled (ruined). My giving to support the House of God is a sign of my being able to handle more wisely. So, if I give my tithe, God will bless me abundantly.
Money in itself is not evil. It is the LOVE of money and what it is spent for that brings trouble.

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Thoughts on giving
The Tithe
Abraham commenced it.
Jacob continued it.
Moses confirmed it.
Malachi commanded it
Christ commends it.

Give as you would if an angel was waiting at the door.
Give as you would if tomorrow found your life were o’re.
Give as you would to the Master if you saw His loving look.
Give as you would as if His hand your offering took.

Giving is a good thermometer of our spiritual warmth. Giving involves time, talent, treasure (money or possessions), love, and most important- ourselves.