The 10% Solution

3, February 2002

Dakota Community Church

Pastor Dan Cormie

The 10% Solution

Introduction:

Once a year I devote an entire message to church finance.

Why don’t I do it more?

We certainly could use more money!

Ø I have seen to many people manipulated into giving joylessly. This benefits no one.

Ø I do not want to be insensitive to people who have brought visitors.

Ø There are too many things to preach about to leave the impression that fund raising is the primary purpose of a church.

I heard about a farmer who called the office of a televangelist asking to speak to the “Head Hog at the trough.”

The receptionist said, “Sir, if you’re talking about our beloved Minister, you may call him Reverend or Pastor, but I don’t think it would be proper to refer to him as the “Head Hog at the trough.”

“Well, all right,” the farmer said. “I just sold a few sows and was going to donate ten thousand dollars to the building fund, so I was hoping to catch him.”

“Oh, just a minute, sir.” The receptionist said, “I think the big pig just walked in!”

Why do it at all?

Ø The church doesn’t run without money.

Ø There is a definite cost to those who refuse to give.

Ø There is an injustice done to faithful givers by those who don’t give that must be addressed.

Ten Reasons To At Least Tithe

1. MONEY IS A GOD TO MANY.

Jesus singled this out as a problem area.

Luke 16:10-15

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

Many who refuse Lordship do so over this issue.

2. TITHING PRE-DATES THE LAW.

A common excuse is that tithing is an old covenant directive.

Gen.14: 18-20

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,

And he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Heb. 7:16-17

one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.

For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek is Christ foretold, so Christ received Abrams tithe before Moses received the old covenant.

Also God had clearly instructed Cain and Abel on this topic because He accepted Abel’s “first fruits” but rejected the “some” leftovers Cain brought.

3. NEW TESTAMENT STANDARDS EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW.

Mat.5: 21-22, 5:27-28

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder,] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

"You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.’

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

O.T. – no murder N.T. – no anger

O.T. – no adultery N.T. – no lust

O.T. – keep oaths N.T. – every yes

O.T. – keep Sabbath N.T. – everyday holy

O.T. – eye for eye N.T. – other cheek

Why would any one think that if the Old Testament demanded tithing the New Testament would not require at least that standard?

Matt. 6:19-24

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.