THE GIFT YOU CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO GIVE n this series we have been looking at the beauty and joy Closely related to tithing in the Bible is the idea of giving the that come with a generous life by working through the firstfruits of our income to God. So rather than just giving I book, The Treasure Principle. The kind of giving that we’re 10% of our income to God, it’s actually giving the first 10% talking about today has the rich blessings of God attached to Him. This roots tithing in faith. It shows that we trust to it. God with what we have now without knowing if we’ll get any more. Tithing is always an exercise of faith in the character î î Read Malachi 3.6–12. and provision of God.

There are a lot of good things to be QUESTION: Has tithing been drawn from this rich passage, but TITHING IS ALWAYS a regular part of your life? we’re going to focus on four things What makes it difficult for us from verse 10: What tithes are, AN EXERCISE OF to practice? where we bring tithes, why we bring tithes and what tithes result in. While tithing comes up a lot in the FAITH IN THE Old Testament, it doesn’t show up CHARACTER AND much in the New Testament. But 1. WHAT TITHES ARE. why? Obviously just because some- A tithe simply means a tenth part, or PROVISION OF GOD. thing is only the Old Testament 10%. If someone says, “I tithe 5%,” doesn’t mean we can ignore it. The that wouldn’t be correct. That’s why commands of the Old Testament are God says “Bring the whole tithe into rooted in the character of God. And the storehouse.” This practice is rooted in Leviticus 27:30, as we saw in verse 6 of our passage, God says, “I the Lord do which says, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether not change.” grain from the soil or fruit from the trees belongs to [the LORD]; it is holy to the LORD.” What Jesus often did with Old Testament teachings was expand them rather than nullify them. In Matthew 5

THE THINK SHEET | 1 missions locally and globally. Secondly, verse 9 said tithes FOR JESUS, TITHING IS and offerings. Offerings consist of giving above our tithes. As we get into the discipline of tithing, we will find that NOT AN END GOAL, IT IS A our hearts expand toward the other needs in our world. We have the privilege of giving offerings that will fund these STARTING POINT IN GIVING. good causes.

QUESTION: What ministries or causes do you get excited Jesus takes the Old Testament law of “do not murder” and about? How does your giving reflect that? expands it to include being angry with someone. Likewise, He takes the law of “do not commit adultery” and expands it to include lust. He takes Old Testament principles and 3. WHY WE BRING THE TITHE. expands them to be wider and deeper. The reason given by God in verse 10 is, “that there might be food in my house.” The idea was that as God’s people faith- In the same way, Jesus expands the idea of tithing. Only one fully brought their tithe, the resources would be available time, in Matthew 23.23, does Jesus affirm tithing. Every for God’s purposes. We should never separate the blessing other time Jesus teaches on money, He asks far more from of God in our lives from the purpose of God in the world. It’s His followers than just 10%. And it makes sense when we not just bring the tithe in the storehouse, it’s for a purpose— think of how much more Christians have received compared that there might be food in the storehouse. to Old Testament believers. We have received more of God’s revelation, truth, and grace. We are more indebted to God’s Statistics say that Christians in America give about 1.8% grace. Jesus didn’t just tithe His blood for us, He gave His to ministry. While that may look depressing, it also should whole life. make us see how much potential exists in the American church. Imagine the kinds of problems that could be solved For Jesus, tithing is not an end goal, it is a starting point in and the kind of good that could be done if the American giving. It is like training wheels for new Christians. Tithing church would start tithing instead of stealing from God. helps us just begin to break the hold of materialism and As Christians capture a vision for tithing, there’s no telling greed in our heart so that we can begin to live contagiously what God can accomplish through the obedience of His generous lives. And as a person’s income grows and their people. We want every resource needed to be available for spiritual maturity grows, the percentage of their giving God’s purposes to be advanced in the world. actually grows as well. 4. THE RESULTS OF TITHING. 2. WHERE TO BRING TITHES. Finally, in verse 10 God says to test Him in the tithe “and see The word “storehouse” in verse 10 means literally the house if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour of the treasury. In Old Testament times it was where the out so much blessing that there will not be room enough funds were kept for the work of God. This is another place to store it.” The text is saying that as we choose to tithe, where we need to ask how an Old Testament concept trans- God Almighty will choose to bless our lives in ways we can lates into a New Testament context. In the New Testament, scarcely begin to imagine. God is no longer focused on advancing His work through the Jewish temple or synagogue, instead He is focused î î Read 2 Corinthians 9.7–11. on advancing His work through the local church. In the New Testament a church is a community of believers with As we see here, it’s not just an Old Testament concept. God is elders and accountability structures who are living out the a God of blessing and He loves to throw open His floodgates functions of a church: worship, evangelism, discipleship, of blessing to people who are financially faithful. There are compassion, etc.

So when it comes to tithing, it follows that tithes are best directed to the local church. If we’re using our tithes to support the local animal shelter, a political cause, or some WE SHOULD NEVER SEPARATE other charitable organization, we’re missing the point. But what about other ministries—how do they get funded? First THE BLESSING OF GOD IN OUR off, if we’re part of a biblical church, it should be investing significant resources in missions. Last year between budget LIVES FROM THE PURPOSE OF and fundraising, Engedi gave 40% of it’s income toward GOD IN THE WORLD. THE THINK SHEET | 2 so many stories in our own church community of people ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: experiencing God’s blessing when they started to tithe. The Blessed Life by Robert Morris

Because it is God’s heart to bless, it is strange when people The Treasure Principle by say that they can’t afford to tithe. But if we aren’t tithing, Randy Alcorn Brian Aulick is the lead that means we don’t have God’s blessing on any of our pastor at Engedi Church. resources. In fact, if anything, we’re going to experience

God’s discipline in the area of our money. By taking the This Think Sheet is a step of trusting God with the mere 10% of our resources free resource to aid in that are already His, we suddenly will have the blessing, personal devotion or protection, and favor over the other 90% of our resources. group study. Really, we can’t afford not to tithe! Doing so allows us the For more, go to utter confidence that the favor and blessing of God is on our engedichurch.com. financial lives. Engedi Church © 2014

QUESTION: Do you have a story of seeing God’s blessing as a result of your faithfulness? Have you tested God

in this yet? What next steps in your finances is God 710 Chicago Drive Suite 100 Holland, MI 49423-3074 calling you to? 616.796.6799 engedichurch.com

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