Study: Few Born Agains Tithe to Churches

Pastor Matthew »

Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:59 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Sorry, my three part post should have said: continued above.... ;-) I didn't realize it was ascending in order. My bad.

Study: Few Born Agains Tithe to Churches

Pastor Matthew »

Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:57 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

More importantly, and I can’t stress this enough, is that a Christian needs take part in their tithe’s appropriation in that it’s being used effectively and prudently toward the winning of souls and furthering of God’s kingdom. This I believe is where we as Christians, fail. We are quick to toss a tithe into the offering plate, but then care little as to what our money is being spent toward or in whose pocket it ends up. Take part in your church business meetings and ask questions. Do your homework.

Here again is the matter of stewardship. If we are faithful stewards of what the Lord blesses us with, then He will entrust us with all the more. First and foremost I believe this to be Spiritual maturity that we might witness to the lost. As students of the Word of God, people we ask it of us—be prepared. To whom much is given much is required. We are charged above all else to be faithful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is concerned with the things of the Spirit first and foremost. As believers, we must strive to become fruitful stewards of the Great Commission. Soul winning and spiritual maturity are the primary blessings we must seek, but God does provide us with all things, and yes even financial necessities. Yet, just as we are to be prudent stewards of the things of the Spirit, likewise are we commanded to be obedient stewards of our money. Tithing ten percent of ones worldly gain not only demonstrates a faithful Spirit, but is merely one of His many ways of setting us on a godly course with all our possessions. After all, do we truly possess anything other than the love of Christ?

Lastly, the apostle Paul instructs the church in 1 Corinthians 9 to attend its ministers and not rebuke them for their carnal necessities, but to rather provide for them.

1 Corinthians 9:11 KJV If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

And as instruction for ministers of the faith, the next verse reads:

1 Corinthians 9:12 KJV If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Give accordingly, give cheerfully, give responsibly, give diligently, and lastly, give without want.

Maranatha

Study: Few Born Agains Tithe to Churches

Pastor Matthew »

Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:57 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Also, let us not turn grace into a magic wand of excuses. Grace does not exempt us from diligence. If it were so, then might we entreat the Great Commission (a commandment from God) with as befitting an endeavor, lacking stewardship and accountability? Would Jesus say this is justifiable because of grace? Don’t confuse obedience with legalism. Faith without works is vain. We are to strive for the prize now that we’ve entered the race. Works are produced out of loving obedience unto the understanding of the Word of God, exemplifying an active faith in Christ. This includes faithful stewardship of all that he brings into our keeping. Tithing is not only scriptural, but keeps us mindful of such responsibilities as Christians. We can’t just be faithful with choice things, but with all things. Though never to be overlooked nor underestimated, tithing is simply one of the many smaller facets of a willing Spirit in motion, building on the greater good.

Tithing ten percent is indeed a universal standard of measurement throughout Christendom, and though certainly isn’t and should never be stipulated, it does provide a benchmark for us who would be wise stewards. Tithe isn’t always necessarily designated currency either, and when money is absent tithe can sometimes be in the form of labor, other goods such as food items, supplies, etc., and so on, yet money is a ready commodity for our modern age, unlike the ancient days when wealth was often measured in livestock and servants, and other tangible goods. In other words, it’s easier for a believer to get his hands on a dollar bill today, than it is an ox or a donkey, or sack of grain to put into the offering.

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Study: Few Born Agains Tithe to Churches

Pastor Matthew »

Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:54 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

If I may (Three Part Post),

God is not the author of confusion, so let us not over analyze the matter. Nevertheless:

I’ll be the first to admonish what is prevalently being taught as the prosperity gospel in many evangelical ministries. God is not a slot-machine; neither is tithing meant to be a, Lure-the-faithful-lottery.

We are indeed, however, to be cheerful givers, for it is more blessed to give than receive. Giving isn’t a condition of how happy we are on any given day, but an act of obedience through faith, even when we don’t feel like it at times. Our love for God is demonstrated by a willingness to obey his commandments even though we constantly strive with the carnal. The carnal is at odds with the Spirit of God, but because of the Spirit of Christ in me I am able to be a cheerful giver. Habitual giving isn’t a bad thing, but more a matter of consistency through the act of diligent stewardship. Now this isn’t to mean we are to guilt ourselves, tallying which week we ought to give or, did I give an exact to-the-penny tithe, but mostly that we develop some sort of consistency and mindfulness, not for God’s sake (He doesn’t need our money), but for the sake of the church tending to God’s children. The church is a central gathering place for believers to encourage and sharpen one another in the Word of God; not everyone can open their living rooms to large groups. But we live in a carnal world and church buildings have bills just like any other functioning structure. Satan would have us believe we don’t need to tithe because it would shut down church buildings that do bring glory to Jesus Christ. The point, however, of tithing regularly is so that we are made mindful of all God’s blessings, be they spiritual or financial, and that we don’t take them for granted, thus failing in our thanksgiving. It’s an act of faith, and a counter to the love of money (mammon).

True that certain ordinances were given of God during varying dispensations throughout the Old Testament period, but let us not however, forget that much of what went before by the way of the prophets is for our learning today. These accounts happened to them for examples to us. 1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4

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