So much is said about tithing and yet it is probably the most difficult subject for me to speak on. I think it would be actually easier if the church was wealthy. Why is this such a sensitive subject? Or maybe its me, but why is it so hard to preach on?
What about to you? Think about it for a moment; Is Tithing a sensitive subject for you?
Now, let me assure you that I am NOT coming to you today on this subject because of our financial needs. This is not a lesson to make you feel guilty! Instead, as each of the sermons have been in the last few weeks, my goal is that God will use the sermons He has given to me through this series to help prepare us as a church for what we believe is going to be an exciting 2010!
#3 in our series preparing us for the upcoming 2010, deals with not only HOW MUCH WE GIVE, BUT WHY WE GIVE IT and more importantly DOES GOD USE IT?
Week 1: the subject of Open Doors using Revelation 3:7-8.
Week 2: Effective Prayer and the importance of always remaining in an attitude of prayer not only in our personal lives, but maintaining an attitude of prayer for our church and its leaders.
Week 3: Effective Giving
QUOTE:
Each of us says we would love to have a closer relationship with God; that we want all He has for us. However, none of us would dare say we can get closer to God without obeying His Word. His word is truth and it is God’s bond with us, so to speak. He wants us to have all He has for us. I say it almost every post lately, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” James 1:17. Why do I say this? Because it is truth. God only wants good for us, however we must obey His word!
So being a NT Believer, “What is required surrounding the subject of Tithing?”
Passage: 2 Corinthians 8.1-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Transition
Corinth has started collecting money for the poor in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16.1-4) but the effort had slowed down (8.10-11)
One of the purposes of 2 Cor is to was to encourage the Corinthians to finish the collection they had started.
Paul uses the generosity of the Macedonia churches to encourage the Corinthian church to finish what they had started.
In order to encourage the Corinthians to continue in what they had started, he tactfully used the example of the Macedonian churches.
Paul says …
8.1-2
1. “we want YOU to know”
2. “out of severe trial” (NLT – ‘they are being tested by many trials and they are very poor, but they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed with rich generosity’)
Though small, poor, and many trials, they are joyful, and overflowing with generosity. This says so much about other small but obedient churches.
8.3
1. “testify that they gave as much as they were able”
1 Cor. 16.2 ‘you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income – saving it up’
a. based on their income that decided what they were able
b. they set it aside (1st) - saving it up (MAKING SURE NOTHING ELSE WOULD GET IN THE WAY)
2 Cor 9.7 ‘each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or undercompulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’
a) 1.16.2 - based on their income
b) 2.9.7 Also, based on ‘his heart’
I think a key in ALL OF TITHING is this phrase ‘in his heart’
We will GIVE based on our love for God!
We will GIVE based on our trust for God!
We will GIVE based on our faith in God!
9.7b “for God loves a cheerful giver”
APPLICATION:
1) We are asked to give in regularity
2) We are to plan our giving based on our income
3) We are to lay it aside 1ST before anything else
4) We are to give based on our heart
Because the Macedonians gave in this manner, they not only gave what they anticipated to give but beyond what they planned to give!
3- “even beyond their ability” - “entirely on their own”
Their giving was far more than Paul expected. In fact, because of their situation, Paul had even been reluctant to even ask for a donation.
4-5
Though these churches were small and poor with no extra money, the pleaded for an opportunity to be involved!
Why? Because of their love for God, their love for fellow believers gave them such a desire to be involved. We cannot realize the love they had for each other and I want us to really take note of that.
They did NOT give out of obligation;
They did NOT give out of a commandment;
They gave out of love –love for God 1st and love for others 2nd.
Because it was out of love, they were able to exceed what they intended.
APPLICATION
There is an in between the line message here! Look at verse 8…
8.8
1. “I am NOT commanding you to do this”
2. “am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of other churches”
Testing how genuine your love is – LOVE FOR WHAT?
The Corinthian church had a great amount of spiritual gifts – But what about their love for God!
WHY do you come to church and worship?
WHY do you serve in the church?
WHY do you pray, give, sing, on and on!
WHY? “am testing how genuine your love is”
8.10-11
ILLUSTRATION: Sign Project
A good example to this though is our sign project. We know that based on our regular offerings that we could not afford the gorgeous sign out front. But we also know that in order for God to be able to change the hearts of others, we must 1st get them into church. The sign gives us a means to accomplish our goal!
But like the Macedonian churches, we don’t have the funds. Our challenge became to put a little away each week so that once per month, we would come together and receive a special offering that would be enough to pay the monthly payment.
Based on our love for God and our concern for others, we will accomplish our goal. But notice the thought that Paul adds in verse 12…
12-
1. For “if the willingness is there”,
2. the “gift is acceptable”
3. “according to what one has”, not according to what he GIVES!
If the willingness is there – not grudgingly but freely;
It’s not about a commandment but out of an act of love – then obedience.
I believe this also says that if your gift is not freely and in love – not only does GOD NOT WANT YOUR GIFT BUT HE WILL NOT USE YOUR GIFT.
13-14
1) “is NOT that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed” but “that there might be equality”
2) “your plenty supply their need” & “their supply your need”
But it’s better than that! When we give out of the heart because of our love for God (without grudge or without a feeling of compulsion) then God returns your supply with His supply!
9.8 “and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work!”
15
Paul quoted Exodus 16:18 to illustrate how everyone’s needs would be met. Using the Israelites gathering for food while in the desert as a background, Paul saw the same principles at work for the NT believers.
God would provide everyone with what they needed. Although some had more and others less, everyone’s needs would be in the end. While everyone would give according to their income, God wanted the wealthy to give out of their surplus so that the needy would have enough. It wasn’t a matter of exact equality; instead it was a matter of fairness or justice.
SUMMARY
If we are truly believer’s of God then consider this thought: It’s sad, after all God has done for us –
- the gift of his Son so you and I could have salvation
- the gift of His death(even death on the cross as a convicted killer) so we could be forgiven
- the gift of His victory over death so we could live again eternally
- the gift of His Spirit (God living within us) so we could understand His Love
And if these are not enough, consider… the blessings of all He’s given to you …
- your family, your health, your ability to work and love
Oh come on – I could go on ALL DAY with PICTURES OF HOW GOD LOVES YOU!
And then to consider that so many haggle over whether or not they should give a measley 10% of their income.
the invitation to be involved in His Work, all the talents, spiritual gifts of enablement so your life would be worthwhile to others
Challenge for Next Week:
Consider your tithe based on your income – Pray about it ask God for His help (even if you normally do not tithe)
Let’s see what God does (when everyone listens)
