HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR INCOME
By
Dr. Jerry Falwell
I. FOUNDATION: THINGS ON WHICH TO BUILD
A. Relationship To God.
The beginning point in all stewardship campaigns is relationship, i.e., person’s relationship to God. "Ye must be born again" (Jn. 3:3).
1. We cannot buy a good relationship to God. "Forasmuch as ye know that you were not redeemed by corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by traditional from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (I Peter 1:18-20).
2. Sin broke the relationship between people and God. "As by one man sinned in the world, and death by sin; and so death is passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).
3. Because of our sin, there is judgment and punishment. "It is appointed once unto men to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
B. Sacrifice Demanded.
The broken relationship between people and God demands a sacrifice. God gave people an example of bringing a sacrifice.
1. "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).
2. Because people offended God, they have to bring a sacrifice to get back into God’s favor. A sacrifice of time or things were not enough to get back into God’s favor. "Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord . . . but unto Cain and his offering he (God) had not respect" (Genesis 4:3-5).
3. A blood sacrifice is a symbol of death and life. "Almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22).
4. The sacrifice by Jesus Christ for us took away our sin and the sin of the world. "Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
C. Today’s Sacrifice. We don’t bring sacrifices to get saved, we bring sacrifices because we have been saved. We give to God the following:
1. TIME. We give to God our time which involves time in prayer, time in Bible study, time in attending worship services, time in Christian service, time in service to our fellow man and time in other projects.
2. TALENT. We give our talent, which is our gifts or abilities. Many people call these our spiritual gifts that have been given to us by God. We give our talent to God by teaching Sunday School, soul-winning, singing in the choir, being an usher, directing Sunday School, working on a bus route, cutting the grass at church, taking a meal to a shut-in, passing out tracts, intercessory prayer or many other ways to serving God.
3. TEMPLE. We give our temple to God which is our physical body. "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost who is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s" (I Corinthians 6:19, 20). At another place in I Corinthians Paul talks about the sanctity of the temple. While some think this refers to the local church, it also refers to all believers who are in the body, i.e., the church "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (I Corinthians 3:16,17). We are to live to God, by magnifying him in our body. This involves negative separation from sin so that we do not defile the temple. This also involves positive separation to God by the things we do with our body that will glorify Jesus Christ.
4. TESTIMONY. We believe in Lifestyle Evangelism which is influencing others to Jesus Christ by our good testimony. When we don’t have an opportunity for personal evangelism, we can plant the seed of the Gospel in the minds of unsaved people by our good testimony.
5. TREASURES. We should give our money to God. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse". "Though you have scorned my laws from earliest time, yet you may still return to me," says the Lord of hosts. "Come and I will forgive you." "But you say, `We have never even gone away!’ "Will a man rob God? Surely not! And yet you have robbed me. "`What do you mean? When we have robbed you?" "You have robbed me of the tithes and offerings due to me" (Malachi 3:7-8 LB).
D. Definition of Stewardship. "Stewardship is the proper management of one’s resources for the glory of God." The word steward means "to manage for another person." In biblical times a stewards was one who supervised a farm, a household, or a business for the owner. In today’s terminology, a president of a stock company does not own his company, he manages it for the stockholders. A steward is like a manager of a local McDonald’s Restaurant who carries out the aims of the owners, maximizes profits, while handling all the problems. Dr. Towns teaches a stewardship lesson in the Pastor’s Bible Class as Thomas Road Baptist Church which is the most requested lesson of all he has taught. "Who Owns Your French Fries". It is the story of a man who buys his little boy some french fries. Then the father does what all fathers do, he reaches over and takes one french fry to taste it. The little boy slaps his father’s hand and says, "Don’t touch my french fries." The father thinks that his son is selfish. The father knows that he bought the french fries and they belong to him. The father knows that his son belongs to him. The father could get angry and never buy his son another french fry again to teach his son a lesson, or the father could "bury" his son in french fries. The father thinks, "Why is my son selfish, I have given him a whole package of french fries; I just want one french fry." God has given us money, when He asks for a tithe, people figuratively slap His hand and say, "Keep Your hands off my money." God owns everything we have. He wants us: 1. To manage what we have for His glory. God expects us to manage our time, talent, temple, testimony and treasures. 2. To give back a portion of what he has given us.
E. All of Our Money Belongs to God. Some mistakenly think God only owns ten percent . . . He owns it all. We give God 10 percent of what he has given to us, he let’s us keep 90 percent to pay for food, clothing, housing, other necessities, and then our pleasures.
F. What Stewardship is Not.
1. Stewardship is not a fund-raising campaign to get money for church programs.
2. Stewardship is not an advertisement campaign to motivate people to give to the church.
3. Stewardship is not getting money from people.
4. Stewardship is not getting money for the church.
5. A stewardship campaign teaches people how to manage all of their money according to biblical principles. Stewardship teaches how to spend 90 percent according to Biblical principles. Obviously, a stewardship program assumes people will give 10 percent to God. When people give 10 percent to God, then manage the rest of their 90 percent according to Biblical principles; they will prosper. Therefore, stewardship education first aims at the prosperity of church members when they follow biblical principles. In a second place, a stewardship educational program will prosper the church because everyone will give 10 percent to God. If the program is successful, those who are robbing God and are backslidden by not giving to God, will begin to give to Him. Therefore, a stewardship program is also a revival program. If everyone in the church tithed, it would be an evidence of revival.
G. Stewardship and Revival.
The greatest verse on stewardship also is the doorway to revival. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, sayeth the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour ye out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10). When people tithes, God responds by pouring out a blessing upon his people.
Revival is defined as, "God pouring his Spirit on his people." Notice what Peter said on day of Pentecost, "I will pour out of my Spirit," (Acts 2:17). One of the greatest verses on revival also comes from Peter, "Repent . . . when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
When everyone in a church is right with God, and gives their tithes to God; then God will pour out his Spirit upon the church, and there will be times of refreshing. Those church leaders that do not sponsor a stewardship program, do not understand that it is a pathway to revival.
II. A PROGRAM OF GIVING
A. The Church Must Receive Money from People.
The Bible teaches that where a person puts his money, is where he puts his allegiance and love. Jesus said, "But where you treasure is there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). In reality many people reverse that process. They think that if a church gets a man’s heart to love God, it will get his money. Jesus did not say this. He said where a man puts his money, there is his love and allegiance. Therefore, when God is receiving the money from church members, it means they love and are obeying Him.
B. People Who Are Not Giving to God, are Disobedient. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings" (Malachi 3:8). Members who are not giving to God, are disobedient Christians.
Statistical results show that only 18 to 20 percent church members in America tithe. No wonder our churches are anemic. We have people who are not obedient to God in stewardship.
C. A Stewardship Program is Directed at All Members. Too often the church only asks the faithful Christians to tithe. Stewardship should be aimed at fringe members to spiritually touch their lives, and spiritually get them in fellowship with God. The prime purpose is not to get their money, but to get them to repent and obey God. Therefore, in a stewardship program we will:
1. preach stewardship to all
2. mail stewardship information to all
3. telephone stewardship information to all
4. publicize and advertise stewardship requirements to all.
D. Biblical Motivation to Stewardship. What God commands his people to do, God expects his leaders to motivate his people to do. Therefore, in a stewardship program, motivate people to give. The foundation of motivation is that God expects his people to live holy, so he expects leaders to preach, teach, and motivate people to be holy. The same can be said about exercising faith (see Hebrews 11, 12:1-2); God expects people to live by faith, so He expects leaders to motivate his people to live by faith.
Since God expects his people to give money to Him, He naturally expects leaders to motivate His people to give money to Him.
Motivation is not yelling, producing guilt, or embarrassing people. What is motivation? Motivation is giving people a solid, biblical reason for obeying Him. The basis of motivating people to give money to God is a stewardship campaign to teach biblical reasons why they should give to God.
Therefore, stewardship campaigns are never completely effective with just preaching on stewardship in the worship hour. A successful stewardship campaign should involve teaching stewardship in every Sunday School class from the small children right up to adults.
Therefore, a successful stewardship campaign should provide offering envelopes for every person from the children right up to adults.
Therefore, a successful stewardship campaign expects a financial commitment from every person from the smallest child in the nursery right up through adults.
The research of Southern Baptists have shown that stewardship taught in a Sunday School class is more effective than when stewardship is only preached from the pulpit. Why? One reason is because that Sunday School teacher doesn’t get paid. She or he is a lay person just like everyone else in the church. The Sunday School teacher is communicating what God expects about money from a pure motive, therefore there is a stronger influence from the classroom. Also, Southern Baptists teach their people to give through the Sunday School (that’s why their Sunday School offerings are larger than worship offerings). When small children see the large amount of money that their class gives and they know that the teacher is also giving through the class, that teacher becomes a role model by example to communicate stewardship to every child.
Also, since the Sunday School teacher is not getting paid, there is never any question about conflict of interest. Some people mistakenly think that when the pastor is asking for a large offerings, he is by inference asking for a larger salary. That implication is never made in the Sunday School classroom.
E. A Stewardship Program is Biblical. Some people think that programs are non-biblical or anti-biblical. That is not true. A program or a method is simply putting the right person, in the right place, to do the right job, with the right tools, for the right purpose . . . all done at the right time. A program or method is the implementation of eternal principles into our culture.
A stewardship program is basically a method to carry out a biblical objective and principle of getting every believer in a church to obey God and manage all of their resources for the glory of God, and to obey God by giving to Him.
F. Plan Stewardship Programs By Faith. The Bible teaches that we should always sow according to our expectation. The church is very quick to point out to sinners that they will "reap what they sow." But also remember, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall also reap, for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Galatians 6:7-8). If a person sows money to good causes, that person will receive benefit. Therefore, there are certain implications for a stewardship program in a church that comes from the law of sowing and reaping.
1. By faith set a stewardship goal, i.e., how many people you expect to be added to the number of tithers in your church.
2. By faith set a stewardship goal of how much money you expect, i.e., the budget for the coming year.
3. By faith set stewardship goals of projects to accomplish for God, i.e., raising money for a missionary car, raising money for a gymnasium, raising money to pave the parking lot, raising money towards supporting an additional missionary, raising money to feed the poor, raising money to help in a crisis, etc.
G. Leadership Principles in Stewardship Education. Since God expects people in the church to give money to Him, He expects leaders to employ good leadership principles in both raising and spending money.
First Law of Leadership: The Law of Vision/Dreams: "When followers buy into the vision/dream of a leader, they buy into their leadership." Therefore, leaders must give proper aims and objectives for stewardship programs.
Second Law of Leadership: The Law of Rewards: "That which gets rewarded, gets done." Therefore leaders must make sure that people know that when they give their money to God there are intrinsic rewards to them. People must realize they are obeying God when they tithe. Then they know that God will take care of them. Then giving gives them happiness. People receive the joy of obedience in carrying out the biblical principles. People should realize that God will bless them because they have given to God. This blessing is not always what is taught in prosperity theology. Some may tithe faithfully and suffer reverses due to circumstances beyond their control. When people give money to God, they are primarily rewarded spiritually, but I have found that God has taken care of most people who have tithed faithfully.
Third Law of Leadership: Law of Credibility: When followers believe in their leadership, they will joyfully follow them. Therefore, before a stewardship campaign is successful, the pastor, deacons and Sunday School teachers must let the followers know they have signed faith promise cards in obedience to God. This is more than being an example to the congregation, this is their devotion to Jesus Christ. Therefore, I believe that people ought to know that the pastor is giving a tithe, plus more than a tithe. Whether the pastor tells the congregation the exact amount of his weekly gift is not the issue. They need to know that their pastor is giving a tithe and above. If the pastor is not giving a tithe, the treasure who is usually a lay person, will know and that information inevitably gets out.
Fourth Law of Leadership: Law of Communication: "People will follow a leader who gives clear direction to the goal/vision." Therefore the church leadership must let everyone know how much is being raised, where the money is going and how the money was spent last year. Overall financial goals and reports must be communicated.
Also, leaders must communicate to the people the strategy of the campaign. They must know and understand why stewardship is being preached weekly and why it is being emphasized through bulletin announcements, posters, and Sunday School lessons. When they know and understand the methods of communication, they will support the entire stewardship campaign.
Fifth Law of Leadership: Law of Accountability: "Followers don’t do what you expect, but what you inspect." This is the law of organization and administration. When the leader is just giving his vision, he has a crowd following him. But when the leader organizes the people to reach a goal, then he has a powerful body to accomplish its goal.
Therefore, pastors can expect people to give to God, but most will not do it unless someone inspects their commitment, i.e., they must sign a faith promise card and turn it in.
Research has shown that there is growth in stewardship incrementally with the following three steps:
1. Low giving - People are exhorted
to give but they are not asked to make a faith promise.
2. Average giving - People make a faith
promise or commitment, but do not turn in a signed faith promise card.
3. Above average giving - People sign a faith
promise card and turn it in, but the church does not follow up.
4. Best giving - People sign faith promise cards,
turn it in and the church informs them of their
faithfulness, i.e., a statement of giving is
issued regularly.
Therefore, church leaders must inspect to find out those who have not been obedient with a faith promise. Since followers only do what leaders inspect;
(a) some churches visit members who have not sent in a faith promise, Southern Baptists call this "Every Member Canvass", (b) some churches mail a notice to followers telling them they have not yet given, (c) some churches announce the number of tithers in the church versus the number of members in the church who have not signed a faith promise card.
III. THE FIVE POCKETS OF STEWARDSHIP
This section is included to let you know the attitude of church members towards giving to their church. When leadership understands why people give, what percentage of people give to each project, and what these projects are; then leaders can better educate all member towards church giving.
The results of the five pockets of stewardship come from research done by Dr. Elmer Towns and RSI (Resource Services, Inc.).
Money that individuals give comes to the church from five sources, or "pockets." Obviously, these are not actual pockets, but symbolic pictures representing five major motives of church members in giving to their church. When church leaders understand the nature and source of their church’s income, they can better plan a strategy for outreach and growth.
First Pocket: Money for "Light and Heat Bills". This represents the desire of some people to contribute to the general fund. Members are motivated out of concern for the operating expenses of the church. "The light and heat" pocket represents money given to salaries, supplies, utilities and general maintenance.
Second Pocket: Money for "Missions". Certain members want to contribute most of their money to foreign missions. This appeal will motivate them to give more than any other appeal. Other members want at least some of their money to go to outreach, usually out of their concern for the Great Commission.
Third Pocket: Money to Support "Ivy Walls". Some members are best motivated by the needs of education. Because some church members value higher education, they direct their money to build college classrooms, libraries, or to equip science laboratories.
Fourth Pocket: Money for the "Cup of Cold Water". Some members are best motivated to give to humanitarian purposes. These members have compassion for the needs of their hurting brothers. They give to hunger projects, hospitals, and to provide housing and emergency relief.
Fifth Pocket: Money for "Bricks and Mortar". Some people are best motivated to give for buildings or physical expansion. This money is specially earmarked for church buildings. Some give large amounts to physical projects, but only occasionally fund other projects. However, almost all members want to give something for their church building projects.
Some church leaders hesitate to enter a capital stewardship campaign because things are tight in the "light and heat" pocket. A church’s inability to properly meet its operation needs is not a proper reason to hold back a building campaign. However, understanding the following principles should overcome that mindset.
First, money in one pocket usually will not go for projects of another pocket. However, even though a church has no excess finances to pay bills, that does not mean it cannot raise excess money for a new sanctuary, for missions, or to support a Christian college. The emotional or spiritual commitment of members for the projects in one pocket usually does not transfer from one project to another.
Second, money in the "bricks and mortar" pocket that is not collected will be lost. Finances that are not given to the local church will usually go to an interdenominational or humanitarian agency. Therefore, to postpone a capital funds project means the church loses money it could otherwise use.
Third, church leaders are not aware of what members will do financially for the church until their members are presented with a financial challenge. People give in response to a challenge and their preference is unknown until they give. Therefore, a capital stewardship campaign may be a step of faith because there is no history of giving to a building fund, but it is a step of faith based on the fact that Christians have "bricks and mortar" pockets.
Fourth, once members’ pockets are opened, they will give again from those same pockets with the same motivation to the same type of need. Just as members regularly give their tithes and offerings for the ongoing church expenses, those with "bricks and mortar" pockets will continue to give because that preference fulfills their need.
In conclusion, knowledge of giving habits by church members will help church leaders plan a healthy strategy for financial expansion that will provide for church growth.
IV. CURRENT STATISTICS ABOUT GIVING
1. The average church attender gives $10.00 per week to the local church ($520.00 per year). This statistic includes members and non-members, young and old and is computed by dividing the number of attenders into the amount of the offering. This average represents all money given to the church, including funds designated for missions, building costs, and regular offering.
2. Churches with annual stewardship campaigns give approximately twice the average ($20.00 per attendant). The difference is stewardship education.
3. Recognize the Five Pockets of Stewardship and appeal to all five areas in your yearly Stewardship Campaign.
4. Approximately 20 percent of church members contribute approximately 80 percent of the money.
5. A comprehensive study in 1987 of a limited number of churches indicated that 42 to 46 percent of a congregation had no record of contributions to the church.
6. Significant growth in giving usually occurs only when one or all of the following actions are implemented:
a. A planned calendar of stewardship activities.
b. Consistent emphasis in teaching and preaching stewardship as a Christian lifestyle.
c. Periodic stewardship campaigns.
7. Churches that initiate a planned annual budget stewardship campaign usually realize an immediate increase of approximately 20 percent in giving over the previous year. Churches can double their income with three successful stewardship campaigns over three years.
8. An organized Capital Fund Stewardship Campaign typically receives pledges from 1 1/2 to 3 times the previous year’s offerings. The money normally is received over a three-year period. (Illustration: A church with 200 attendants receives approximately $100,000 in annual giving and can receive $150,000 to $300,000 for a building project over and above its regular giving).
9. It is possible to have successive capital stewardship campaigns every 3 years. Many churches have been able to build the necessary facilities to maintain the momentum of growth, and at the same time keep their debt within a reasonable ratio to giving income.
10. Most churches cannot afford to spend more than 30 percent of undesignated offerings for debt retirement.
11. A Stewardship Campaign for Capital Funds helps congregations develop long-range financial plans that include:
a. Projected growth of the congregation.
b. Projected increase in undesignated offerings.
c. Projected income from capital stewardship campaigns.
d. Projected amounts to be allocated from undesignated offering for capital improvements or debt retirement.
e. Projected conservative amounts to be received from the sale of property.
f. Projected costs of land purchase or building.
g. A coordinated timetable of stewardship events.
12. Churches that have staged financially successful annual budget campaigns and capital campaigns often mention spiritual benefits more than the financial results. Why?
a. Giving builds loyalty to the church.
b. Communication improves.
c. People get involved.
d. New leadership emerges.
e. Congregations unite to support the ministry and mission of the church.
f. Personal spiritual growth matures the body.
V. TITHING TO THE CHURCH IN THE AGE OF GRACE
1. Tithing Began With a Gentile. The first mention of tithing in the Scripture is when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (a non-Jew). Since we live in the dispensation where God works among the Gentiles (Act 10), we should learn from the law of first reference that God intended tithing from Gentiles, since a Gentile was the first to tithe. In the law of first reference, the primary message of a truth is embryonically found in its first mention in Scripture.
2. Tithing Originated Before the Age of Law. Law came by Moses (John 1:17), yet before Moses was born, Jacob promised to pay the tithe, "All that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee" (Gen. 28:22). This was not an idle promise, for God blessed Jacob (Abraham’s grandson) with abundant physical riches. The tithe is eternal, existing before the law. Since the tithe was operative before Moses, he naturally included it in the law; therefore, we can only assume it continued when the law was fulfilled. It has been argued, believers under grace would not want to give less than their counter-parts gave under law.
3. The Early Church Gave More Than the Tithe. When Christians in the New Testament no longer gave to the temple, they brought their money to the church. Twice the Scripture records they gave all their possessions (Acts 2:44, 4:34), this included more than the obligation of the tither (10%) in the Old Testament. Most who argue against tithing want to do less, whereas the early church did more.
4. The Argument From Silence Continues the Tithe. The early church was mostly made up of saved Jews. They had been taught to tithe since childhood. This had been God’s plan to support His work and God was evidently now working in Jerusalem. These Jews did not need instruction in tithing, it was their way of life, and they continued to give it plus much more.
Jesus did not destroy the meaning of the law, He only put to death the curse of the law (Col. 2:14). The law reflected the nature of God and God has a reason behind each law, these reasons were not destroyed but fulfilled. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill" (Matt. 5:17). The tithe was included in the law to support the work of God. It is only natural for God to continue this pattern to support His work in other dispensations. If tithing was to cease there would have been a specific prohibition, but the opposite is evident. God’s people continued to give.
Some argue that the command to tithe is not repeated in the New testament epistles. Neither is the doctrine of the virgin birth repeated. There was no need to repeat these doctrines in the epistles for the early church, everyone accepted the doctrine of the virgin birth and the fact of tithing. Their account in the gospels is proof enough. Therefore, the teaching of the virgin birth (Matt. 1:18-25) and the teaching of tithing (Matt. 23:23) should be enough proof to accept both.
5. The Principle of "God’s Place" for Worship Requires Storehouse Tithing. God has always had a central place for corporate worship, even though there are illustrations of man worshipping God at many varied places and circumstances. In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was God’s place for centralized worship. There was a caution about worshipping other than at God’s designated place (Deut. 12:2-4, 8). In Deuteronomy 12:1-32, there are three characteristics of the place to bring one’s tithes.
First, the people were to assemble at the place where God would meet with them (Deut. 12:1). This place was the tabernacle; later it was the temple. Second, God’s place was located where the symbols of redemption were celebrated. In the Old Testament these symbols were the blood sacrifices and the furniture of the tabernacle. Thirdly, the people were commanded to come to God’s place where they would find God’s man (Deut. 12:10).
The church is God’s place. It is the only place for assembly mentioned in the New Testament. The characteristics of God’s place in the Old Testament are present in the New Testament Church. First, the people assembled where God met with them (Matt. 18:20, Acts 4:31, Heb. 10:25). The church is a candlestick (Rev. 1:20, 2:1,5), and the candle is a symbol of Jesus the Light of the World (John 8:12) in the midst of the church. Second, today’s symbols of redemption are baptism and the Lord’s Table. These are local church ordinances. Third, the people are to gather to the place where God’s man is ministering. God calls His servants (John 15:16), and gives them gifts (Rom. 12:3-8), then gives these gifted men to the church (Eph. 4:7-13).
In the Old Testament, the people were commanded to bring their gifts to God’s place (Deut. 12:13-17) which is the storehouse (Mal. 4:10). In the New Testament, the people are commanded to give to the storehouse "Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come" (I Cor. 16:1-2, emphasis mine). The similar word "store" is used in both Old and New Testaments, hence implying storehouse tithing.
Money or offerings were never given to individuals in the New Testament, money was given to the churches. It was taken up on Sunday at the church (I Cor. 16:1). Money was sent to the elders at Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30). This was similar to laying it at the apostle’s feet (Acts 4:37).
Where should tithes and offerings of believers go? Logic alone would suggest that people contribute to the local church where they are fed spiritually. A local church is God’s plan of evangelism. It is the only organization He established. Just as God did not allow giving to other places than the one He designated in the Old Testament, God wants gifts to go to His organization in the New Testament. Programs which reach beyond the local church can be supported by funds channeled through the local church.
Remember the principle established in earlier lessons. (1) Organizations, radio preachers and interdenominational agencies which are responsible only to themselves, may not be a wise investment. (2) These organizations must earn our respect and prove their ministry before we give them our money. (3) Our tithes belong to the local church; we have no right to tamper with what belongs to God. (4) We give with the assurance that it is God’s will when we give to the local church. The sum total of godly counsel in a church will determine the best use of God’s money. In the Old Testament an Israelite was cautioned not to give money to places other than designated by God. It amounted to doing what was right in one’s own eyes. If a person gives money to deserving extra-church agencies and bypasses the local church, that is something for which that person is directly accountable to the Lord.
Storehouse tithing is giving to one’s local church. Some people do not agree with expenditure of funds by their local church, so they contribute elsewhere. In such situations it would seem best that they find a local church where they can wholeheartedly make their contributions in good conscience.
6. The Principle of Tithing to "Jesus Here". The reference in Hebrews 7 indicates that the tithes are paid to Jesus. The argument is that Levi the priest who received tithes from Old Testament believers, actually paid tithes to Melchizedek in the loins of Abraham. The writer of Hebrews said, "The less is blessed of the better." The argument goes on to say, "and here men that die receive tithes; (priests in the Old Testament and preachers in the New Testament) but there He (the Lord Jesus) receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth" (Hebrews 7:8). So, today we pay tithes today to Jesus Christ, when we pay tithes to our local church which is the Body of Christ.
VI. WHY GIVE TO GOD?
This section is included to suggest reasons why everyone in a church ought to be giving tithes to God. Obviously, most of these arguments come from benefits that people receive because they are tithing.
1. Because the Tithe is God’s. If we don’t tithe, we rob God. Yet every Sunday when the offering plate is passed we witness one of the most serious robberies in our cities. Our newspapers don’t carry the story and no one files a complaint at the police station. Yet we rob God because, "the tithe is the Lord’s (Lev. 27:30). We give God what is His when we tithe.
2. Because Tithing is an Act of Love. We measure our love to Christ by the obedience of our tithe, "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me" (John 14:21). But our love goes beyond Christ, it extends to our church and our pastor. Paul asks for those in Corinth to prove their love to Him. "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also (the grace of giving). I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love" (II Cor. 8:7,8).
3. Because Tithing is an Act of Love. We measure our love to Christ by the obedience of our tithe, "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me" (John 14:21). But our love goes beyond Christ, it extends to our church and our pastor. Paul asks for those in Corinth to prove their love to Him. "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also (the grace of giving). I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love" (II Cor. 8:7,8).
4. Because Tithing Recognizes God’s Ownership of Our Lives. The tithe was described as the firstfruits, meaning, a person gave to God the first to be harvested. The book of Proverbs commands "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase" (3:9). If we put God first in our lives, He will honor us (Matt. 6:33). We can tell others that we belong to God, but our deceitful heart can lead us astray (Jer. 17:9). However, we demonstrate our dedication when we tithe. We give Him the firstfruits because He is first in our lives.
5. Because Tithing is Good Business. When you tithe for the right reasons, you have gone into business with God. When you invest one-tenth of your income with God, He promises "to open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Mal. 3:10). God will not be any man’s debtor, He will keep His promise.
6. Because Tithing Will Keep Us From the Lust of Money. Those who don’t tithe, not only are disobedient, they demonstrate a greater love of money than of God. "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" (I Tim. 6:10). But those who will weekly deposit their tithe in God’s bank reveal their faith in God to take care of all their needs.
7. Because Tithing Helps the Church Carry Out the Great Commission. The church is commanded to go into all the world and preach to every person, baptizing the converts and teaching the commands of Christ. This involves money to print tracts, purchase radio time, build buildings, pay preachers and carry out the countless other expenses associated with the ministry. A tithing church can pay its bills and expand its outreach. A tithing church will not have to beg for money and plan gimmicks to raise its budget. A church of tithers will have willing workers, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21), because a church of tithers will have the hearts of its people to carry out the Great Commission.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Contact us and ask for a copy of The How To Book or use The How To Book Online (Falwell.com). It is a booklet that will answer many of the questions you are sure to have about living the Christian life. And when you contact us, tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
