The offering plate has been given a bad rap. If an offering plate could talk I wonder what it would say:
* "Did you find that on the floor next to the bubble gum machine!"
* "It's going to take hours to count all this change!"
Perhaps the offering plate would say, "Why do so many people take their frustrations out on me?" If the offering plate could talk it would complain about the bad rap it's been getting as a result of some preachers and churches.
Shysters, con artists, swindlers, charlatans and thieves and used the offering plate to pad their pockets and extravagant lifestyles.
As a result, people have lost confidence in giving for the right reasons. Today it seems like it is not enough to tell Christians that giving is their "Christian duty", you have to promise them something. Some churches are using the "Carrot approach" to collect offerings. Like those who dangle a carrot before the eyes of a horse to get it to move, preachers promise, health and healing, prosperity and material blessings to their followers to get them to give.
For example, some have used Mark 10:30 to support their teachings:
(Mark 10:29 NKJV) So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's,
(Mark 10:30 NKJV) "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
To claim the promise of Mark 10:30, those in the “word of faith” movement explains the "hundredfold return" as:
Give $1 to their ministry and $100 comes back to you;
Give $10 and receive $ 1,000;
Give $ 1,000 and receive $ 100,000.
This is what they tell you but it begs the question, “Why are you having to ask me for the money when all you have to do is claim this promise yourselves.” All Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar and Fred Price have to do is claim this spiritual law for their own ministries and they would not have to make any more appeals for money. All they would have to do is give a million to our church and God would bless them with 100 million dollars.
Some may be getting a little upset if I've spoken the name of one of your favorite teachers but I am just doing what the Bible says to do in Ephesians 5:11:
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
The devil uses these con artists to go after the spiritually naive and the new believer.
(Rom 16:17 NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
(Rom 16:18 NKJV) For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Just imagine giving your money to God (which usually means their ministry) and receiving 100 times more. If the banks ever found out about this they would probably invest in this spiritual law.
The explanation to Jesus’ saying in Mark 10:30 becomes clearer as we read a parallel passage of Scripture in Matthew chapter 19:
(Mat 19:29 NKJV) "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Jesus is saying that when you and I give up all that we have for the Gospel, He will compensate us a hundredfold. That is, if you are ostracized because of your faith—like the Jew was kicked out of the Synagogue when he or she became a believer in Christ, God will give you a new family, if not in this life then in the life to come.
These “word of faith” preachers and teachers are not challenging people to give up everything and follow Christ, it is just the opposite. They are challenging their viewers to give up everything to their ministry so that they might become recipients of their version of God’s “hundredfold.” In other words, you get poorer and they get richer.
Don't get me wrong. There are benefits for faithful giving but they are not always material, financial and healing. Remember, God looks at the heart motive of the giver and He doesn’t settle all His accounts in this life. Would you rather have a million dollars for 30 years or gazillion dollars for all eternity?
Biblical Giving.
If you have been with New Vision for only a short time you may have noticed that we do not "major" or "harp on" the subject of money as some churches do.
* We haven't begged for a penny in the 6 years of our existence.
* We've never collected more than one offering in a service.
* We've avoided sending you on a guilt trip during offering time.
* We've never exploited "Little Orphan Annie" (Orphan Children infomercials)
For the first four years of our church history we did not even pass a plate around. We utilized what is called the "thesauros." The thesauros was a box that was placed in the church so that you can deposit your offering without parading the act before everybody.
We have always practiced inconspicuous giving. Our offering time has always been short and to the point. We do not “sound the trumpet” as some churches do as they say: “All Tithers can now come forward…”
I don't think we will ever have chairs with engraved brass name plates on them acknowledging the generous gift of Sis. Bigbucks that enabled us to purchase them.
We have even forgotten on occasion to collect the offering and I have had to be reminded numerous times to collect an offering.
This doesn't sound like a church that is consumed with picking the pockets of its membership. No, we are not a church that is preoccupied with money.
But this is not to say that we don’t need money. It is to demonstrate that we have taken the position that if your heart is right with God you don't need to be begged and pleaded with in order to give. If you know Jesus Christ and His Word, you also know that it is your responsibility as a Christian to financially support the ongoing work of reaching the lost and discipling believers.
For the last several weeks we've been discussing how we might develop and maintain spiritual disciplines.
We have been focusing on the Four Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow spiritual maturity. The habits that we have already discussed are:
1. Time With God's Word
"If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
2. Prayer
"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it... in this way you can become my disciples." John 15:7-8
Today, we are going to look at the Habit of Tithing
The Habit of Tithing - Honoring God With My Giving
"On the first day of each week, set aside some of what you have earned and give it as an offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn." I Cor. 16:2 (LB)
Giving Reveals My Spiritual Maturity
Did you know that your giving reveals where you are spiritually?
(Mark 10:17 NKJV) Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
(Mark 10:18 NKJV) So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
(Mark 10:19 NKJV) "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"
(Mark 10:20 NKJV) And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."
(Mark 10:21 NKJV) Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
(Mark 10:22 NKJV) But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
This man, though rich in material things, was spiritually bankrupt. His unwillingness to sell his possessions and give to the poor revealed where he was spiritually.
Now God isn't asking us to "sell everything" but He has commanded us in His Word to support the work of the local church by giving.
"Just as you excel in everything else... in faith, in speech in knowledge, in complete earnestness... see that you also excel in the grace of giving." 2 Cor. 8:7
Why God Wants Me To Give - 7 Benefits to My Life (A lot different then what some of these faith teachers are offering)
1. Giving Makes Me more like God
God so loved the world that He gave his only Son..." John 3:16 - God is the Giver.
Did you know that talk is still cheap? The Bible teaches that God demonstrates His love for us in the death of Christ. Like God, we demonstrate our love for Him in giving.
2. Giving Draws Me closer to God
"Where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matt. 6:21 -
I work with two guys who are near retirement. They have invested much in the stock market and are hoping for a big payoff. Judging by how much they talk about it, I imagine they probably wake up and go to sleep thinking about their stock performance. "Where their investment is, there is where their heart is also."
When you and I give, we are:
* Investing in God's kingdom
* Investing in the ministry
* Investing in the lives of God's people
* Investing in reaching the lost
These areas of investment are where God's heart is and where the true treasure is.
(Col 3:1 NKJV) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
(Col 3:2 NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
(Col 3:3 NKJV) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
(Col 3:4 NKJV) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
3. Giving is the Antidote to materialism
A woman called into the Money Matters radio program asking for counsel for helping she and her husband to get out of $60,000 worth of credit card debt. Larry Burkett asked her what was their annual income and she answered $250,000. She was getting tired of arguing about "not having enough money."
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to be generous and willing to share. In this way they may take hold of the life that is truly Life!" I Tim. 6:17-19
I don't know what the root of that lady's problem was but I do know that:
* Giving keeps one's eye on the Lord to supply - Faithful, regular giving for some of us could mean the difference between putting off buying that car you want or eating hamburger rather than fillet mignon.
* Giving sharpens one's focus on God's calling on your life like fasting sensitizes one to spiritual things.
4. Giving Strengthens my faith
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of your income, and he will fill your barns to overflowing." Prov. 3:5,9
* Experiencing God's provision strengthens one's faith to regularly give.
Our church's giving increased
as we experienced God's provision of property on Rolling Road.
When God moved on Mr. Kalb's heart to sell us his property, our faith grew--some of us didn't believe it would happen.
When God moved and allowed us to "possess the land," our faith grew some more.
When we were told by the county that we had to renovate, one of the first concerns that I had is that those attending our church would begin to look elsewhere because no one wants to stay on a sinking ship.
However God, in allowing us to possess the land, had already cultivated in us the faith we would need to get through this next trial. We saw the mighty hand of God bring us to Rolling Road so when we were told that we had to renovate we were persuaded that God would see us through. Giving strengthens our faith!
Did you know that preliminary results show that our income in 2000 exceeded 1999 by 20,000 dollars?
"Give and it will be given to you ... For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38
Giving Is An Investment for eternity - ex. "Saved souls"; eternal rewards
A percentage of my pay goes toward purchasing stock each month. When the market does good, so does my investment. If it does bad so does my investment.
A commercial has a young man happily running to his parents with a letter that says he was accepted by a college. His parents tell him that he has to forget about that because the father used one of those online web sites to trade his college money away.
Another one of these commercials shows a man and his wife in a restaurant with his son and his wife. When the women go to the restroom, the father asks his son for a loan because he lost his savings trading stock.
Let me tell you, when you give to the Lord, you won't lose! The money you and I give each month as an offering to the Lord is going to return huge dividends in eternity. The "Feds" can't touch it and Greenspan can't influence it.
(1 Pet 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(1 Pet 1:4 NKJV) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
Giving to the Lord is the only safe investment because it is an investment for eternity!
"... Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven - it is the only safe investment for eternity." I Tim 6:18-19 (LB)
6. Giving Blesses Me in return.
"A generous man himself will be blessed." Prov. 22:9
"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" Prov. 11:25
"Good will come to him who is generous..." Ps. 112:5
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Luke 6:38
Many years ago two young men were working their way through Stanford University. At one point their money was almost gone, so they decided to engage the great pianist Paderewski for a concert and use the profits for board and tuition. Paderewski's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The students worked hard to promote the concert, but they came up $400 short. After the performance, they went to the musician, gave him all the money they had raised, and promised to pay the $400 as soon as they could. It appeared that their college days were over. "No, boys, that won't do," said the pianist. "take out of this $1,600 all your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work. Let me have the rest."
Years passed. Paderewski became premier of Poland following World War I. Thousands of his countrymen were starving. Only one man could help, the head of the U.S. Food and Relief Bureau. Paderewski's appeal to him brought thousands of tons of food. Later he met the American statesman to thank him. "That's all right," replied Herbert Hoover. "Besides, you don't remember, but you helped me once when I was a student in college."
I believe that God blesses you and I to be a blessing to others. In other words, God wants us to be channels or pipelines of His blessings. Are you one of God's "pipelines."
God will not deliver His blessings through a "clogged" pipe.
7. Giving makes me happy - It removes a "guilty" or "regretful" conscience.
(Jesus) "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." Acts 20:35
"The people rejoiced... for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord." Prov. 11:25
What the Bible Teaches About Tithing
What Is Tithing?
"Tithe" means "a tenth part"
What is the Difference Between a Tithe and an Offering?
A tithe is giving a tenth of my income.
An offering is anything I give in addition to my tithe.
8 Reasons Why You Should Tithe - From God's Word
1. Because the Scriptures teach it. (Though not a N.T. command, the spirit or principal of the law is there to behold)
"A tenth of all you produce is the Lord's, and it is holy." Lev. 27:30
2. Because Jesus commended it.
"Yes, you should tithe, and you shouldn't leave the more important things undone either." Matt. 23:23
3. Tithing demonstrates that God has first place in my life.
"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first place in your life." Deut. 14:23 (LB)
When I started tithing, it was rough (I started net then graduated to gross). I wanted God to have first place in my life and I wanted His best.
4. Tithing reminds me that everything was given to me by God!
It is God who has blessed me with my salvation, my wife and children, my job, my abilities, gifts, talents, time, etc. Taking what belongs to God and spending it on the things given to me by God is like worshipping the creature rather than God.
"Always remember that it is the Lord you God who gives you the ability to produce wealth." Deut. 8:18
5. Tithing expresses my gratitude to God
"How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?" Ps. 116:12-14
"Each of you should bring a gift proportional to the way the Lord your God has blessed you."
Deut.. 16:17 "Push giving" is pushing yourself to give outside of your comfort zone.
6. God says that refusing to tithe is stealing from Him!
"God says 'Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!' But you ask, How do we rob you?' God says 'In tithes and offerings.. Bring your whole tithe to My house. '" Mal. 3:8- l0
When I didn't tithe, I found it easy to spend the same percentage each pay on the pleasures of life. Someone challenged me to take a test to see if I was robbing God. You can take the same test that I did when I wasn't tithing.
If you are not tithing, look at your checkbook for all the "pleasure items." Look for the "extra curriculum" or non essential items such money spent for cable TV, movie rentals, snacks and junk food, designer clothing, high-priced personal items, electronics, fast food or excessive dining-out expenses.
Add together all these "non-essential" expenses and from the total calculate what percentage of your pay you spend on these things. I found that the money I spent on these things could have been given to the Lord and His work.
7. Tithing gives God a chance to prove He exists and wants to bless you!
"Bring your whole tithe to My storehouse. Test me in this" says the Lord, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you won't have room enough for it!
I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will be protected from plagues." Mal 3:10
8. Tithing proves that I really love God .
(Jesus) "If you really love me, do what I command." John 14:15
"... I want you to be leaders also in the spirit of cheerful giving... This is one way to prove that your love is real, that it goes beyond mere words." 2 Cor. 8:7b - 8 (LB)
What Should I Tithe?
There was a young boy who lived with his elderly grandmother in a small town. Every Sunday the grandmother would take the boy to Church and after they would go downtown and get an ice cream cone, which was a special treat. On one particular Sunday, grandmother was not feeling well. She told the boy that he would have to go to Church by himself today and she gave him two nickels, one for the offering plate and one for an ice cream after Church.
Now as it happened the boy needed to cross an old wooden bridge in order to get to Church. As he was crossing the bridge that Sunday, as boys will do he was watching the river below, skipping, hopping - generally not paying attention. All of a sudden he dropped one of the nickels. The nickel fell to the bridge and as luck would have it found a small crack through which it fell into the river below.
The boy dropped down and put his eye to the crack. He watched helplessly as the nickel fell into the river below. As the boy got up and put the other nickel in his pocket he said, to no one in particular, oh well, there goes God's nickel.
This is how some Christians approach tithing. We have good intentions but if anything "comes up"--"there goes God's nickel."
What should we tithe? We should tithe the first (gross) part of what we earn, not the leftovers (net or after all the bills are paid)
"Honor the Lord by giving him the first part or all your income." Prov. 3:9-10
Where Should I Give My Tithe?
Where I worship - the local church
"Bring your whole tithe to My Storehouse (Temple) ..." Mal. 3: 10
Not a parachurch organization-Some parachurch organizations like Focus on the Family and World Vision are doing a good job but they are not the local church.
Not the United Way - Some Christians give more to the United Way than they do their church. Maybe it is because their name is added to the "President's Circle" and they get some recognition.
Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house…" The tithe should be given to the local church.
When Should I Tithe?
Sunday .
"On the first day of every week, set aside some of what you have earned and give it as an offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn." 1 Cor. 16:2 (LB)
How To Remember
Keep a Ledger Book - Acct. #1: My Tithe
Use weekly envelopes
Teach your children to tithe (The sooner the better. It is difficult for a new believer to start)
Giving With The Right Attitudes
Give willingly .
"For if the willingness is there, your gift is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have." 2 Cor. 9.12 (If you don't have it, that's OK; However, most of us have it.)
The Devil's Reason for Not Tithing
In January because of Christmas bills due.
In February because of fuel bills and car upkeep.
In March because of income taxes.
In April because of clothes for Easter.
In May because too much rain threatens the crops.
In June because too little rain threatens the crops.
In July because of vacation expenses coming up.
In August because of vacation expenses to be paid.
In September because of the children's school needs.
In October because of winter clothes and doctor bills.
In November because of the Thanksgiving trip.
In December because of the Christmas shopping.
Give joyfully.
"... for God loves a cheerful giver" 2 Cor. 9:7
Give generously.
"They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service ... " 2 Cor. 8:3-4
"able" "beyond"
|(------------adequate------------(|(sacrifice(|
Give expectantly .
A hiker was thirsty for a drink, but could not find water, until he came to an abandoned house. There he found a pump, and proceeded to pump with all the strength he had remaining. No water came forth. Then he saw a small jug with a cork at the top and a penciled note, directing that the water in the jug be poured into the pump to prime it.
At first the thirsty man questioned this, but when he followed directions he obtained satisfying water. Before going his way, he filled the jug with water so the next thirsty person could secure water. He added to the note, "Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away before you can get anything back."
"Remember this. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will reap generously." 2 Corinthians. 9:6 Give expecting God to follow through on His promises
The Keys To Giving
"...they first gave themselves to the Lord..." 2 Cor. 8:5
Conclusion
The Church Treasurer Resigns
The day the church treasurer resigned the church asked the local grain elevator manager to take the position. He agreed under two conditions:
That no treasurer's report would be given for the first year.
That no questions be asked about finances during that year.
The people were surprised but finally agreed since most of them did business with him and he was a trusted man. At the end of the year he gave his report:
* The church indebtedness of $228,000 has been paid.
* The minister's salary had been increased by 8%.
* The Cooperative Program gifts have been paid 200%.
* There were no outstanding bills.
* And there was a cash balance of $11,252!
Immediately the shocked congregation asked, "How did you do it? Where did the money come from?"
He quietly answered: "Most of you bring your grain to my elevator. Throughout the year I simply withheld ten percent on your behalf and gave it to the church in your name. You didn't even miss it!"
"Do you see what we could do for the Lord if we were all willing to give at least the tithe to God, who really owns it?" And so the new treasurer had made his point.
A Commitment Prayer
"Father, I know you love me and want what's best for me. I recognize that all I have, or will ever have, comes from you. I am more interested in pleasing you than in having more possessions. I want you to have first place in my life and I am willing to begin tithing as you have commanded. Out of gratitude for all you've done for me, and in expectation that you will continue to provide for me, I commit myself to returning at least the first 10% off all I earn back to you. I want to begin investing for eternity. Help me to remain faithful to this commitment. In Jesus' name, Amen."
There are some people who think that by giving to a church or a charitable organization that God will grant them a place in heaven.
If you are here today and desire to go to heaven all the money in the world won't buy you a place there. All the money in the world is merely a drop in the bucket compared to the infinite price that was paid to purchase salvation.
In 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they were bought at a price…the price was the death of God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God's Son died on a cross that we might have our sins forgiven and experience fellowship with God.
According to the Bible, you must agree with God that you have been trying to live by your own terms. You must turn away from sin and come by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
You can be born again today and on your way to applying the spiritual disciplines that we have learned. Pray with me: “Lord Jesus, I have sinned against you. I have been trying to run my own life according to my own rules. I believe that you died to take my sin away. I trust you now as my Savior from sin and the Boss of my life. Amen”
