Transcription
So the message is titled, "This Is What God Says About Tithes." We begin our message with Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42.
Matthew 23:23, New Living Translation: "He says, '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.'"
Luke 11:42, New Living Translation: "'Very similar statement there by Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, but do not neglect the more important things."'
Now, we want to look at some key lessons on tithing. This is one of those messages you must put in writing.
Lesson number one: Tithing started before the law. Moses received the law from the Lord, but the practice of tithing started before the law was received. Abraham practiced tithing. Isaac, Jacob practiced tithing. So, tithing started before the law. So, when people tell you tithing is of the Old Testament, they are referring to the time of the law, but tithing started before that time, and then it was confirmed by the law, but it started before the law. And our Lord Jesus Christ also made reference to it. The origin of tithing, the first time that tithing was practiced in the Bible, was in Genesis 14:17-20, when Abraham gave a tithe to a priest of God Most High by the name of Melchizedek.
Lesson number two: The essence and purpose of tithing is beyond meeting the needs of the house of God. It is a kingdom principle. Why did Abraham give his tithe to Melchizedek? Was it to meet the needs of Melchizedek? Principle. Tithing is a doctrine of faith. So, who do you primarily give your tithe to? Your church? No, you don't give your tithe to your church. You give your tithe to God through your church. Through your church, your tithe is given to God. The church is the place that God has instructed that tithe should be given to, but He is the one that is honored with the tithe. So, your tithe is primarily given to God, not your church or your pastor.
In Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:9, it says, "Honor the Lord with the first part of your fruit." Honor the Lord, not honor the temple, honor the church, or honor your priest or your pastor. You are honoring God every time you give your tithe.
In Malachi chapter 3:8, Malachi 3:8, it says, "Shall a man rob God?" The scripture there did not say, "Shall a man rob the church or rob the house of God?" He didn't say, "Shall a man rob the priest of God, the house of God?" It says, "Shall a man rob God?" So, although God has instructed that tithes should be given through a local church, it is God that your tithes are primarily given to. It is God that your tithes are primarily given to. Your reward and blessings for tithing is activated and enforced by God.
You'll find, you'll see that even the Levites, who received the tithes on behalf of the Lord, were also instructed to tithe. Numbers chapter 18:25-26. Numbers 18:25-26, New Living Translation: "The Lord also told Moses, 'Give these instructions.'" Now, take note of the language. "There is an instruction." "It is an instruction of the Lord." "Said the Lord told Moses, 'Give these instructions to the Levites: When you receive from the people of Israel the tithes I have assigned as your allotment, give a tenth of the tithes you receive—a tithe of the tithe—to the Lord as a sacred offering.'" Sacred. Your 10% that you give to God is holy, is sacred, and in the spiritual realm, is of great importance.
Lesson number three: Unlike offerings and donations, tithes are a financial obligation that every committed Christian should consistently give to God. Unlike offerings and donations, tithes are a financial obligation. A financial obligation that every committed Christian should consistently give to God. They are—you could notice very clearly that God is always clear when He makes reference to tithe. Even when Jesus made reference to tithe in Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, He did not present tithe as the same thing as the other dimensions of offering. Tithe is distinct, and it is in the principle of tithing, tithe comes first. It is intentional.
In Malachi chapter 3, starting from verse 8, well, He says, "Shall a man rob God?" He said, "Yes, in tithe and in offering." It was—they are both distinct, and tithe comes first. That's a 10%, and then at your discretion, your personal discretion, you can now determine the percentage of what you will give as an offering, as a donation for any purpose. And that is why, unlike what God says over different kinds of offerings, it is only for tithes that God demands a fixed percentage of your income. It's only for tithes that God demands a fixed percentage of your income. Tithing is part of the financial obligation of every committed Christian in God's church.
Tithes and offerings are nonrefundable contributions. Let's please note this very well. They are nonrefundable contributions that are voluntarily given for multiple reasons. A tithe is offered, is given partially as an act of spiritual worship. It's given to reinforce your financial covenant with God. When you tithe, that is an expression of your faith in God, acknowledging Him as the source of your income and financial blessings. When you tithe, you are also fulfilling your financial obligation towards the support of your church.
Now, take note of this also: that although the giving of tithe is an obligation for every committed Christian, no Christian should be forced to tithe. So, it's more of a moral obligation. We teach, but everyone is now left to their own volition to honor God, obey God's word, God's instruction. But you are not going to be forced, and neither are you going to be punished for not tithing. Please note this also.
Tithe is not a financial investment that you deposit with your church. There's so much confusion in the teachings of many to the body of Christ. Tithe is not a financial investment that you deposit with your church for which you are entitled to a payback in future. It actually belongs to God. And when you tithe, you are supposed to give your tithe with that understanding that this is God's part of my income. In fact, everything, if we are to follow the doctrine of financial stewardship in the kingdom of God, 100% of your income belongs to God. But we are expected to give 10% as a tithe. After that, at your discretion, you could give for different types of offerings, donations, and then you are expected to manage, multiply, and create wealth with the other 90%.
Lesson number four: Tithes are partly meant to be used to pay for the regular operational costs of a church. Tithes are partly meant to be used to pay for the regular operational cost of a church. A very good illustration, to some extent, you see some manner of similarity between membership dues that people pay to groups, to clubs, to associations. A membership due is an official payment you make to an organization that you belong to, and these dues are usually paid or collected at intervals, which could be monthly, it could be quarterly, it could be annually, depending on that organization's policies. Now, the primary benefits of membership dues include financial stability. You could see some very, very clear similarities. Financial stability. So, it's not actually just about churches. Membership dues are vital for maintaining the financial stability of organizations. They offer a consistent and predictable source of income, allowing nonprofits to project effectively, plan for the future, and even better weather economic downturns when they occur. They also help to fund growth and innovations for organizations. Organizations can use the revenue generated from membership dues to expand their offerings or innovate in their field, and this might involve launching new programs, investing in development and infrastructure. Another thing it helps for most organizations is financial independence. Relying solely on donations, grants, or fundraising events can be precarious for organizations. So, this has already been proven even in the secular space. Membership dues provide a level of financial independence that reduces reliance on other sources of income. You can't be calling for donations in church every week. Membership dues are one of the biggest revenue generators for associations and nonprofit organizations. For many, it helps to pay and hire staff, plan conferences, run events, and create value for the organization.
In Malachi 3:10, Malachi 3:10, the message: "Bring your full tithe to the temple treasury, so there will be ample provisions in my temple." So, so there will be ample provisions in my temple.
Lesson number five: God is very sensitive to how you feel when you give to the church or for God's work. God is very sensitive to how you feel when you give to the church or for God's work. In Exodus chapter 25:1-2, Exodus 25:1-2, Amplified Bible Classic Edition: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the Israelites that they take for Me an offering from every man who gives it willingly and ungrudgingly with his heart you shall take My offering.'" He's talking about offerings here, but it's reflecting to you, showing to you clearly something that God is very sensitive to. God loves cheerful givers.
In 2 Corinthians chapter 9:7, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Amplified Bible Classic Edition: "Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and proposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves—He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or do without—a cheerful, joyous, prompt to do it giver whose heart is in his giving." God loves a cheerful giver, not just a particular person, but anyone who consistently exhibits this attitude of cheerful giving. So, please always give to God with an attitude of gratitude, with the sense of respect and honor.
In Proverbs 3:9, it says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth." Honor the Lord with your giving. Don't disrespect the Lord with your giving. Don't give with bitterness. Don't give with grudges. Don't withhold your tithe because of your mood or feelings. Don't give with a sense of pride.
Lesson number six: It is not proper for any tither to dictate to his church what his tithe must be used for. It is not proper. You cannot arrogate to yourself the authority to make major decisions in a church simply because you give the highest tithe. There will be serious issues of divided loyalty and division within a church if those on the payroll of churches were to be paid directly by tithes to the ministry. It's just a matter of time, and you are going to begin to see divided loyalty. You're going to see people working with the ministry who have no regard for their pastors of the ministry, but they have high regard for someone in the church that they have found out or they know pays them every month for the service they render in the ministry. So, you cannot dictate to your church what your tithe must be used for. You are given with pride and you are given with a sense of narcissism.
There is a particular age that your children attain, and from that age, you also need to accord your children some respect. Money you have given to your own child as a personal allowance, it's not for books, it's not for fees, it's not for some specific thing, just for him or for her. You must allow that child also have some freedom to use that money in the way he or she is persuaded. And that is why tithes are different from donations. You can specify what your donations should be used for. "Yes, Pastor, I would like the church to buy this. I would like the church to acquire this." And can you please help to find out the good, the right brand and the cost? Or the person has done the search and says, "I found out it's available in this place and this is the cost." And the person provides the money. You can also buy that particular thing you wish for and hand it over to the church, but this is not within your tithe. It's outside your tithe. You can build a project like even a church cathedral and hand it over to a denomination. It is in other.
In Luke chapter 7:5, Luke 7:5, Living Bible: "For he loves the Jews and even paid personally to build us a synagogue." Now, take note, this man single-handedly built and donated a synagogue for God's people. However, that did not entitle him to automatically become one of the elders of the church. So, when this man, despite the fact that he had built a cathedral and handed it over to the church, he had a pressing need. His servant was faced with some serious health issue, and they decided to reach out to Jesus for intervention. He had to approach the elders of the church to help him have quick audience with Jesus.
Lesson number seven: There are different categories of Christians based on their position on tithing. Different categories of Christians based on their position on tithing. So, I want you to listen to these 10 groups and check if you are currently doing exactly what members of that group are known for.
Group one: Those who consistently give 10% of all their income as a tithe to their church.
Group two: Those who pay tithes only on income that is known to the church.
Group three: Those who tithe but don't give 10% of all their income.
Group four: Those who tithe but instead of giving it to their church, they personally decide what their tithe must be used for.
Group five: Those who tithe but they sometimes pay it elsewhere. They sometimes pay it elsewhere when they are feeling angry or bitter towards their church or pastors.
Group six: Those who don't pay tithes because they believe their regular voluntary service in God's house is equivalent in value to the tithe they should have paid.
Group seven: Those who tithe but they stop any time they have so much to pay for. They tithe, but any time they have school fees, accommodation bills, some pressing bills to pay for, they cancel tithes for that time.
Group eight: Those who don't tithe but they publicly pretend that they do. They don't tithe, but they publicly pretend that they do.
Group nine: Those who don't tithe and they discourage others from tithing. People in this group, they don't tithe and they discourage others from tithing. They use very, very derogatory words to describe people who tithe. They can even call you a fool. They will threaten their children never to give a tithe to the church where they worship.
The last one, group ten: Those who may sometimes tithe. They may sometimes tithe, but they consistently steal from the tithes and offerings that people give to their church. They may sometimes tithe themselves, but they consistently steal from the tithes and offerings that people give to their church.
We are closing it up now.
Lesson eight: The uncommon practice of any church or Christian leader as regards tithing cannot be officially adopted as a model of tithing for the universal church. The uncommon practice of any church or Christian leader as regards tithing cannot be officially adopted as a model of tithing for the universal church. There are some churches, for instance, where the leadership of the church tells their members not to pay tithes, and somehow in those places, they are still able to meet up with their financial obligations. Good, but that cannot become the right thing to do for all other churches and ministries. There are some churches that are blessed with so much financial wealth that they have enough to fund all of their church needs, programs, and outreaches without receiving tithes from members. Good, but that cannot become a model.
And this is the reason why the model of the early church cannot be adopted. What happened in Matthew, sorry, Acts chapter 2:44-45. The church at that time—can I tell you something more about that, about that timing of the church? The people, people of that time lived with Jesus. The three and a half years of His ministry, some of them were physically with Jesus, and there were some remarks that Jesus made that some of them also interpreted from His literal sense. And as a result, so you will know the mindset with which some things were done in that phase of the early church. They were—we are expecting the rapture, but that phase of the church, they were expecting Jesus to return now, now, now. And this is the reason why they sold their houses, they sold their properties. Can I tell you something? The early church gave more than this generation of the church. They gave—that is a generation that gave 100% of what they had. They gave 80% of what they had. They sold their only houses, they sold their only land they had, they sold it and gave it to the church to be distributed, not even for some major projects of the church, just to meet needs, why? Because they were expecting Jesus to return now, now, now, now.
What you see in Acts chapter 2:44-45 is what they call communal living and giving. They tried to practice—they experimented with it. They experimented with it, and it was okay for them because it was—they were not doing it with the intention that they were going to do it for life. They were going to do it for life. They were expecting Jesus to return immediately, and in their very time. Nobody is telling you now to go and sell your house, sell your land. But that was the persuasion and the extent they went in that time. So, as good also as some of these things were in that time, it also cannot serve as the model for tithing for the universal church.
And in closing this point, lesson eight is this: Every church that receives tithes from members and ministry partners should consistently pray for those who tithe to their ministries, and they should consistently pronounce God's covenant promises of Malachi chapter 3:10-12 consistently over every faithful tither to their ministries. They owe every tither that should pray for them consistently, bless them consistently, pronounce those covenant promises of Malachi 3:10-12 upon every faithful tither that gives tithes to your ministry.
Lesson number nine: Every church that receives tithes from members must consistently teach their members the principles of wealth creation. So, churches should consistently educate their members on the necessity of multiple streams of income. Multiple streams of income. Churches should consistently educate their members on how to manage and multiply the 90% of their income after giving a tithe to God. And something very important, very important that a lot of church leaders and church leaders overlook: Church leaders should sometimes inform their associate ministers and church members of some of the gifts they receive and extra income streams they personally have, so people do not sometimes attribute all that they have, all that they give, or all that they spend to church funds.
Lesson number ten: Many Christians and church leaders are not serving God with a selfless spirit. And the Holy Spirit specifically pointed this particular point specially to me concerning this message. Said, "Do you know one major reason why Christians of 30 years, 35 years, 40 years, 15, 20 years are still struggling and joining the debate on tithing? They don't have a selfless spirit." Being selfless is giving to others without looking for personal gain. If you give your time, your money, or things to other people without expecting something in return, that's being selfless. And sometimes we will find selfless people in church, but people with a different heart and a different mind will continue to put pressure on them and talk them out of that positive attitude that they have. To be selfless is the opposite of being selfish and self-centered.
Do you know that this is one of the things that the Holy—the Lord made mention of when also talking about tithes in Malachi 3? Malachi 3:8, The Voice version: "Will someone steal from God?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Yet you are always stealing from me." Look at the next thing he says. He says, "But you self-centered people." The reason why you still see Christians that have been in the church for years still discussing and debating about tithe is because they are self-centered. They are self-centered. They are self-centered. Said, "But you self-centered people still ask, 'How have we stolen from you?' in tithes and in offerings you have not given me as the Lord requires." So, selfless service can be defined as a service performed without expecting anything in return, let alone the result of our work. The operations of different churches and ministries are meant to be sustained through the selfless service and contributions of Christians, through the selfless service and contributions of Christians.