GIVING (Stewardship) The 6 G’s – Part 5 Pastor Chuck Bernal 09-21-14 You people are robbing me, your God. And, you are, asking, “How are we robbing you?” You are robbing me of the offerings and of the tithe (the ten percent) that belongs to me. That’s why your whole nation is under a curse. I am the LORD AllPowerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire tithe, the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. I will also stop locusts from destroying your crops and keeping your vineyards from producing. Everyone of every nation will talk about how I have blessed you and about your wonderful land. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken! (Malachi 3:8-12 – CEV) IN THE BIBLE GIVING = TITHING – SO WHAT DOES TITHING MEAN?
A tithe is one-tenth part of one's income. Tithing, or giving a tithe, goes back to ancient times, even before Moses. In the Bible, Mosaic law required that the Israelites give one-tenth of the produce of their land and livestock, the tithe, to support the work of the priests. (Leviticus 27:30-33). In the same way, Christians today are to give a tithe, or ten percent of their gross income, to support their church, it’s ministries and it’s missionary work.
IF GIVING = TITHING, THEN W HY IS TITHING SO IM PO RTANT? Tithing is a ________________ from God – the issue is ____________________ Tithing is a step of ________________ – the issue is _______________________ Tithing is a way to _____________ God – the issue is _____________________ I would rather live with 90% of my income with the blessing of God on it, than live with 100% of my income without His blessings. Every time you doubt that you can live on 90% of your income, let this glorious promise of God strengthen your faith: “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 – Msg)
W E ARE NO T JUST CALLED TO GIVE, W E ARE CALLED TO BE INCREDIBLY AND INSANELY GENERO US! Now I want to tell you what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it