Stewardship (3 Of 4)

I would like to remind you that stewardship is taught in both the OLD and the NEW TESTAMENTS.

In Matthew 23, Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for what they were NOT DOING, while recognizing what THEY WERE DOING. He noted that they were careful to tithe of every plant that produced condiments like mint, anise, and cummin. He then gave affirmation to their tithing by saying, “...these ought ye to have done...” That is, He did not tell them not to tithe any more because that was only for Old Testament days.

Also, I would like to remind you that WE ARE PARTNERS WITH GOD! WE CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT GOD!

We see in the Old Testament, as God provided His people with healthy bodies and strength to work, He commanded them through the prophet Malachi, to bring all His tithes into His STOREHOUSE, “...that there may be meat in mine house...”

This also applies to us. As God provides us with strong bodies, and strength to make money, He expects us to be trustworthy partners by giving Him His portion.

This is why God commanded, I Cor. 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” That is, EVERY ONE OF YOU, AS GOD HAS PROSPERED YOU, GIVE. You do not have to be concerned about giving like the millionaire. Just tithe off of what He has blessed you with.

Tithing is simply showing you are obedient as a partner, with God. As He blesses, we give back that portion He has set up.

This has nothing to do with paying a bill to the church. It has everything to do with how you view your personal relationship with God.

Simply put, it is, “Rendering to God that which is God’s.”

As we look at stewardship in God’s Word we need to consider at least two things.

I. WHAT THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH ABOUT TITHING.

Many have some unusual, and unscriptural ideas about what tithing is and what it does. For one thing...

A. Tithing does not put you in the position to bargain with God.

Many think tithing is a means of buying God’s favor. Perhaps they think that because this is the way people operate in the business world.

Illus: It has happened, in some counties in some states, that there are some building inspectors who are not the most reputable people around. For example, some have been known to demand a bribe in exchange for a good inspection report.

Now this is not the case with most for most are decent, hard-working people. Yet, sad as it may be, you will find some corrupt individuals in all walks of life.

One contractor was having a hard time passing the various stages of inspection. He was a good contractor. He built by the code, but this particular inspector kept finding some insignificant reason for turning down his job. This was costing the contractor a great deal of money. The contractor talked to some other builders and found the inspector had passed their jobs and their work was the same as the one that the inspector was not passing. Finally this contractor was talking to another contractor whose job had passed the inspections and he told him, “I do not understand. Why is it that this inspector passed your job and turned my job down when they are done alike?” The other contractor smiled and said, “Because, you have to slip him something.” The first contractor said, “What do you mean...slip him something?” His friend said, “Have you not heard of ‘buying favor’?”

Illus: A favorite saying among some when things have not been going well is, “You haven’t been paying the preacher!”

Listen, there are a lot of folks who think tithing is no more than buying God’s favor. That is, they walk into church Sunday mornings and slip something into the offering plate and having done that they feel they have a right to ask God for certain favors.

How dare anyone approach the holy God of heaven thinking he can buy God’s favor! WHAT AN INSULT TO THE HOLY GOD OF HEAVEN!

Nevertheless, many folks have a Mafia type relationship with the Lord. That is, they feel when they tithe they are buying protection. It is as if tithing bought insurance against the perils of life.

Listen, all of us together, if we pooled everything we have, could not buy one small favor from God.

Why? Because you can not give to God what already belongs to Him.

Look at Leviticus 27:30. We read, “And all the tithe of the land...IS THE LORD'S.”