Introduction

Good morning, church family. Today, we're going to dive into a topic that sometimes makes us squirm in our seats a little - tithing and giving.

As Randy Alcorn once said, "Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater plan. It dethrones me and exalts Him."

Let's take a look at our key scriptures today.

In 2 Corinthians 8:12 we read, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have."

And in Genesis 28:10-12, "Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

As we explore these scriptures and the lessons they hold for us about the blessing of tithing, the heart of giving, and the joy of giving, let's begin with a prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of gathering together today in Your name. We ask for Your wisdom and understanding as we delve into Your Word and learn more about tithing and giving. Fill our hearts with generosity and joy as we surrender to Your greater plan. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Let's dig in.

The Blessing of Tithing and Giving

The act of tithing and giving is an outward expression of an inward commitment to God. It is a tangible way to demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our willingness to submit to His authority.

In the Old Testament: Tithing was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle or temple (Leviticus 27:30). This was done to support the Levites, who were not given an inheritance of land like the other tribes of Israel, but were instead set apart to serve in the temple. It was also a way to provide for the poor and the foreigners in the land.

In the New Testament: Jesus affirmed the practice of tithing, but He also emphasized that it should not be done at the expense of neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). The Apostle Paul also encouraged believers to give, not out of compulsion, but cheerfully and according to what one has decided in their heart (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Participate in God's work: When we give, we are partnering with God in His mission to spread the gospel and bring about His kingdom on earth. We are investing in eternity, storing up treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:20).

Cultivate a spirit of generosity: It helps us to break free from the love of money and material possessions, which can so easily entangle us and lead us away from God. It reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, and that we are merely stewards of His resources.

God's provision and blessing: The Bible promises that those who give generously will be blessed in return (Proverbs 11:25). This does not necessarily mean that we will receive material wealth, but that we will experience God's blessing in other ways, such as peace, joy, and contentment.

Demonstrate our love for God and for others: It is a practical way to love our neighbors as ourselves, to care for the poor and the needy, and to support the work of the church.

The spiritual transformation: It’s a transformation that occurs within us when we give. It is a tangible way to demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our willingness to submit to His authority.

The Heart of Giving

The Heart of Giving is the attitude and spirit behind our giving ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO