Why Give

To start with the explanation of why to give to the church, let’s begin with some dictionary definitions:

  • Stewardship is the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring and preserving
  • Tithing is the act of giving one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the church and clergy.

What does the Bible say about stewardship?
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it; the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).

“Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties” (1 Peter 4:10).

So….
We are not owners: everything we are and everything we have belongs to God 
including…

Good stewardship consists of using whatever gift we have received for the good of one another.
How have you experienced God’s grace? What gifts have you received? How have you used them for the good of others?

What does the Bible say about the stewardship of money? 
(adapted from Mark Allan Powell, Giving to God)

1. We are to acquire our money in ways faithful to our calling to be people of God:
worthwhile labor (1 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
honest business dealings (Leviticus 19:35; Deuteronemy 25:13-15; Amos 8:5-6; Luke 3:13-14)
without creating hardships for others (Leviticus 25:35-37; Luke 20:47; James 5:1-6)
never as an end in itself (Isaiah 5:8; Luke 12:16-21)

2. We are to regard our money in ways faithful to our identity as children of God:
with gratitude (Deuteronomy 8:10; Matthew 7:11)
not entitlement (Deuteronomy 18:12-14, 17-18)
something to be used not loved or served (1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24)
without envy or coveting (Exodus 20:17; Matthew 20:1-15)

3. We are to manage our money in ways faithful to our calling to be people of God:
don’t hoard it (Luke 12:15-21; Psalm 49:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:7)
don’t squander it (Luke 15:12-16)
avoid unnecessary debt (Romans 13:8)

        This is where having a plan — a budget — is very helpful. 

4. We are to spend our money in ways faithful to our calling to be people of God:
gift of discernment (Romans 12:2; James 1:5)
        

This enables us to determine what is truly worthwhile and what is not for us and our family at a particular time and place.

5. As people of God we are called to give back a tithe (10%) of all our material blessings as:

  • an act of worship, i.e. praise and thanksgiving to God for what we have received
  • an expression of faith and trust in God’s providing
  • a practice that promotes spiritual growth and maturity

​(Genesis 28:18-22; Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:20-32; Deuteronomy 12:11, 14:22-29;  26:12; Nehemiah 10:32-39; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42, 18:9-14; Didache 13)

The tithe is to be given to the Temple/church to provide financial support for: