62 Sermon Illustrations on Tithe

Survey of Biblical data on stewardship (a little-understood word) and tithing. "Tithing is another example. Christians need a standard for giving. Consider, for instance, that we are willing to leave a 15% tip for a meal, but shudder to think of giving 10% of what we earn to God. Although the New Testament suggests that much more is to be given than a 10% token of one's possessions, the tithe is at least a minimum standard upon which one can build a giving pattern."

#751

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Money is important topic in the Bible (John McArthur gives statistics on

references in Bible). It is an accurate barometer of our commitment to

Christ.

Four basic Biblical Principles:

1. God owns it all.

a. God has the right to whatever He wants whenever He wants it.

b. Not only is my giving decision a spiritual decision, but every

spending decision is a spiritual decision.

2. God uses money in our lives.

a. As a tool.

b. As a test.

3. The amount is not important.

4. Faith requires action.

#1021

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Discusses pastor's salary from a biblical viewpoint.

Jesus: God expects those who serve in ministry to be provided for by those who are served; and God gives recognition to those who make such provision.

Apostle Paul: Those who are involved in God's teaching and preaching ministry should be supported financially by those Christians who receive spiritual instruction.

Christians who faithfully support God's servants in material ways create joy and thanksgiving in the hearts of those who receive. They give the gift of encouragement.

Apostle John to Gaius:

1. Gaius is commended as being faithful by showing hospitality.

2. The actions of Gaius resulted in a testimony before the church.

3. Gaius is commended because he sent God's ministers on their way in a

manner worthy of God.

It is obvious Gaius had been criticized by others for his actions.

“Houston, we have a problem!” Do you remember those words? Thus began one of the great crises-to-success stories in recent history. An Apollo space mission in great peril was saved by a team of people determined to find a solution.

We have a stewardship problem. Perhaps you are familiar with it. It begins with spending. The average American couple spends $1.20 for every dollar they earn. This in turn has led to a debt problem. In June 2002, the Federal Reserve reported that the total amount of consumer debt was $1.685 trillion. Six hundred billion of that was credit card debt. The repayment of this debt consumes 14 percent of the average family’s budget. These two factors have joined with others to create the “perfect storm” for the issue of stewardship through the local church.

Among adults who attend church regularly (an average of at least once a month), more than one out of every three (37 percent) did not give any money to church in the past year. Those who contribute give only about 2.5 percent of their income. The average donation by adults who attend Protestant churches is about $10 a week. Overall, only 3 to 5 percent of the people who donate money to a church tithe their income. (Data from George Barna, “How to Increase Giving in Your Church.”)

Now that we know “we have a problem” we must, for the sake of the Kingdom, find a solution. I have come to a fairly simple conclusion in my old age -- nothing will change the hearts and minds of people but the Word of God applied by the Spirit of God. In the past months in this column we have been looking at the characteristics of the Kingdom-centered church. Let’s do so again with a focus on its practice of generous stewardship.

THE PATTERN OF ACTS

To fully appreciate the generosity of the early church, we need to think about the makeup of that church. Both Jews and Gentiles who had the courage to confess Jesus as Messiah were often ostracized by their family. Christianity was considered to be a dangerous and blasphemous cult. The ability of new believers was often impacted by their courageous stand for Christ. Thus the survival of early believers was often dependant on the generosity of their new family -- the church.

On five different occasions we are told that they “were together” (Acts 1:15; 2:1, 44, 47; and 4:31). This statement gives us insight into the unity and intimacy characteristic of the early church. This emphasis is made more emphatic by the statement that they “had everything in common” (Acts 2:44). This statement does not mean that they practiced community ownership, as is made clear by the indication that they continued to meet from house to house (Acts 2:46). Nonetheless, it does underline the incredible generosity indicated by the willingness to sell property and possession, and distribute the proceeds to those who had needs. The verb tense here indicates that the practice of selling and sharing was a recurrent and continuing practice -- it was the norm, not the exception.

Acts 4:32-35 adds significantly to our understanding of the generosity of the early church. The mention of a multitude of believers in verse 32 shows the rapid expansion of the church. Yet despite their rapid growth they were of “one heart and soul.” “Not even one” of them dared claim that their possessions were their own. Whose possessions were they? Their willingness to share was based on a commonly held conviction that property and possessions belonged to God and were “theirs” only in terms of stewardship. Thus they were always at the disposal of the Lord, the rightful owner.

It is significant that the description of the generosity of the early church seems to be interrupted by verse 33: “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.” Note that verse 34 once again picks up the emphasis of generosity: “For there was not a needy person among them.” The linking of the powerful witness of the church and the generous spirit is in no way an interruption. They were inextricably linked then and they are inextricably linked today.

Underline this truth: The uncommon generosity of the early church was visible proof of the power of the resurrected Christ in their midst. What would indicate the grace of God in our midst today more clearly than unity, mutual concern expressed through generous stewardship and powerful evangelism? A church family that embodies such radical characteristics, which cuts across the grain of societal norms -- which values ownership and accumulation over stewardship and distribution -- would confront the world with the power of the grace of God.

I fear that our lack of evangelistic harvest may well be connected to our disobedience in the area of stewardship!

A CONTRASTING CASE STUDY

Luke provides a contrasting case study in Acts 4:36 to underline the emphasis on generosity. Joseph, a Cypriot Jew, apparently had relatives and land in Jerusalem. He sold the land and gave the proceeds to the apostles for use in the community. It was this sort of generous behavior that earned him the name Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement.” Generosity has a way of stimulating and encouraging others who witness it.

The other story is about a wealthy couple name Ananias and Sapphira, who committed the total proceeds from the sale of a piece of land. It is possible that the land sold for more than they expected, which created a spirit of greed, leading them to hold back a portion of the sale price. The phrase translated “keep back” literally means to “pilfer” or “embezzle.” You might wonder how someone could embezzle their own money. This is precisely the point! The land belonged to God and was only held by Ananias and Sapphira in stewardship. Thus, once it was voluntarily committed to the church for community needs, the couple was guilty of embezzlement and lying to the Spirit (Acts 5:3).

The contrast is even more ironic when we understand that the name Ananias means “God is gracious.” If God had been so gracious to Ananias, how could he be so stingy and dishonest? It is a probing question that we should take to heart.

A FAMINE IN JERUSALEM

I have long been fascinated by the church in Antioch. This church was responsible for sending out the first missionaries who planted most of the churches we read about in the book of Acts.

This community of believers responded to a crisis need in Jerusalem in such a generous fashion that it impacted the entire ministry of the Apostle Paul. Agabus, a prophet from Jerusalem, told them of a severe famine which would impact the Roman world. The church responds immediately -- “So each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea” (Acts 11:29). Notice that all participated in proportion to their ability.

The plight of the believers in Jerusalem and the response of the church in Antioch provide the backdrop for much of the teaching of Paul on generous stewardship. 1 Corinthians 16 and 2 Corinthians 8-9 all relate to the offering for the saints in Jerusalem. Paul devotes nearly a decade of his ministry to the collection of this grand offering that would require all the churches in Macedonia and Achaia joining together in a cooperative offering.

People often want to give in such a manner that they can control how the resources are used and receive credit for their generosity. But Kingdom-centered giving requires a radically different attitude. When we understand that we hold everything in stewardship for the King, then we can freely release the resources in our care to meet the needs of the saints and advance the Kingdom without concern for control or credit.

A PROGRESSION

Paul actually demonstrates a progression in his teaching on giving. You will undoubtedly understand that the giving of the “tithe” was the expected norm for all those who came to Christ as Messiah out of Judaism. Jesus demonstrates this when He says to the Pharisees: “These things should have been done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23). He was talking about the necessity of the tithe along with embodying justice, mercy, and faith. They should have already mastered the fundamental aspect of faithful living such as tithing, thus enabling them to move on to other issues of spiritual growth.

If you read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Paul teaches systematic and proportionate giving (“first day of the week,” and “to the extent that he prospers”). Proportionate giving obviously would allow and encourage one to give beyond the tithe. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, he teaches “hilarious giving” and “grace giving.” Hilarious giving pleases God because it reflects His own character manifest in His children.

Grace giving must be understood in light of the total context of the Corinthians letters. There were those in Corinth who were fascinated by the possession of certain spiritual gifts (charismata equals manifestation of grace). They believed that these charismatic endowments proved their spirituality. Paul deals that argument a death blow in 1 Corinthians 13. Nonetheless, in 2 Corinthians 8:7 he appeals to the Corinthians to be as zealous to give as they are to manifest certain gifts. “Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us -- excel also in this grace.”

Don’t miss this obvious point. We should give in such a manner that it requires and exhibits the grace of God. We should practice a level of stewardship that it mandates the work of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Can you imagine for a moment what impact such generosity could have on our work to advance God’s Kingdom? Let’s look at a simple math problem. According to recent studies on giving, only about 25 percent of those attending church give systematically. Those persons give at the rate of 2.5 percent of their income. What if 50 percent gave 5 percent? Why stop at half obedience? What if they gave 10 percent? What if 100 percent gave 10 percent? Do the math and imagine the impact we could have on reaching the nations.

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #13622]

Over the years I have gotten (and had myself) questions about whether or not the tithe (giving the first 10 percent of our income back to God as prescribed by the law) was biblical. Let me give you brief answers to some of those questions that demonstrate how I have learned to approach them.

1. Isn’t tithing Old Testament law? Aren’t we free of that?

Yes and no.

A. Tithing is a part of the law, and Jesus has definitely fulfilled it all in our place so that we are free from its bondage. However, the purposes of the law were (generally speaking) 3-fold:

-- to show us what God was like.

-- to reveal how far short we fall of God’s character.

-- to show us how to thrive in the creation God has placed us in.

None of those 3 purposes faded with the death of Jesus. If anything, Jesus’ coming intensified them. We saw more of what God was like, what holiness was like, and what a man acting in perfect harmony with creation was like. As it relates to the tithe, the law reveals the unchanging character of God and how He expects us to view the money HE has provided for us. A minimum of 10 percent that He has given to us, whether we are rich or poor, is to go back into His work. This is how He set up the world order. This is why the “tithe” principle (the first 10 percent of income going into God’s work) is taught pre-law (Abraham), law (Moses), post-exile (Malachi), and even affirmed under Jesus (Matthew 23:23). God’s purposes for creation haven’t changed. We are no longer under the theocratic nation state of Israel, but how God has set up His economy for His people has not changed.

God doesn’t lay the financial weight of the entire world on any of our shoulders, but He has given His people a plan whereby they do their part. The law was given to help people live in the shalom of God. That’s what gives the law (principles like taking a Sabbath and the tithe) an enduring effect. Thus, the idea that 10 percent of all that God gives to you is given for you to give back to Him remains, I believe, as a good guide to our giving.

Now, let me be clear -- Jesus left us under NO PART of the law, not the tithe or anything else. But the law, in that it reflects God’s character and His ordering of creation, is still good, and still functions as a guide to how we are to live under God in this world. Men and women of God throughout the Bible, including Abraham and Jesus, seemed to recognize that.

B. If anything, the Gospel raises the level of our response to God’s laws. True obedience, Jesus says, goes much deeper than the behavior standards the law required. For example, the law said “don’t murder,” yet Jesus said the Gospel demanded we love our brother always and not hate him, not even our enemies. The law said “don’t commit adultery,” yet Jesus said that the Gospel demanded people not even “look on another woman with lust in our heart.” So, if the law says “give 10 percent,” what kind of generosity does the Gospel call for? Would it not be greater generosity than 10 percent, just as the other commands were also intensified in Christ? In other words, if the people who saw God’s generosity in the Exodus responded with giving 10 percent, how much more should people who have seen the cross? This is why you see the early church giving far beyond 10 percent. So overwhelmed by the generosity of Christ, they wanted to pour out their possessions for those in need (2 Corinthians 8:9).

For Gospel-touched people, tithing should never be the ceiling of their giving, but it should be the floor.

Tithing, in and of itself, is not an iron-clad rule for Christians as it was for Israelites under the law. That said, “giving our firstfruits to God” most definitely is a biblical principle, true of God’s people in all places and at all times. And 10 percent is a great place to start with that.

2. Should I give the tithe “pre-tax” or “post-tax”?

In the Old Testament, God called the tithe a “firstfruit” (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2). This meant their giving to God came first before anything else. That teaches pretty clearly that our giving to God comes before Uncle Sam takes his share. God gets the firstfruits, not the second ones.

3. When during the month should I give?

The principle of “firstfruits” also shows you, in my opinion, that the tithe check should be written first, and not at the end of the month when you see how much left over you have. If you do the latter, you will inevitably never have enough to give God 10 percent. You’re giving Him your scraps. But if you do the former, you will inevitably adjust your lifestyle around what you have left. And, God also will find a way to multiply His blessings to you. I’ve seen that happen in my own life multiple times. It’s pretty exciting.

4. Should we give to the church, or other things?

In the Old Testament system, the tithe went to the work of God’s institution, the temple. Caring for the poor beyond what the temple did, or funding an itinerant rabbi, etc, all came out beyond the tithe. I believe the implication is that tithing should go to God’s new institution, the local church. Hopefully you have a church that you feel good about how they spend their money (not all on buildings, entitlement perks for members and pastors, etc.) and you see them working in the streets and unreached parts of the world. Give some grace here, of course ... it’s always easy to play armchair quarterback and talk about how you’d do it differently. I’d say if you trust your pastor, however, you honor God by giving to the institution He ordained. Then, give like a Gospel-touched fool beyond that to all the things God has put in your heart.

5. How does this work out for your own family?

When my wife Veronica and I first got married, we had to stretch ourselves unbelievably thin to tithe. As God has increased our income over the years, we have yearly increased the percentage of what we give. We now give way above the tithe to our church, and then beyond that to ministries blessing the poor, carrying the Gospel to the world, and some to our church’s expansion project, Believe. We love it. Veronica recently said, “This is so fun ... giving.” It really is more blessed to give than to receive. God really has multiplied what we have given to him and given it back to us “in every way” -- financially, in joy, in perspective, etc. (2 Corinthians 8-9). We love it.

In the United States, some areas of the country are much more generous with their money than others are. Mint.com came up with a graphic [1] that visually portrays the percentage that people give in various parts of the country. The darker states are those that give the most of their income to charity, and the lighter states give the least. There is quite a discrepancy - citizens of Utah give more than four times as much of their income compared to those in New Hampshire.

What accounts for the differences? The most obvious outlier is also the easiest to explain: Utah, with a 10.6% charitable giving rate, is far and away the most generous state in the union. It also has the highest proportion of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the union. (More than half the population self-identifies as Mormon, according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.) The church’s tithing requirement, in which members are expected to donate 10 percent of their income, goes a long way toward explaining Utah’s impressive generosity. The same goes for Idaho which also has a high Mormon population.

But what of the rest of the union? One correlation to consider is state taxes: Of the ten states with the highest tax rates, four are among the chintziest when it comes to charity. On the other hand, of the states with the lowest overall tax rates, only one hits the top ten when it comes to charitable giving. In other words, when it comes to generosity, there seems to be almost no linkage to state tax burden.

Another angle might be unionization: All but one of the most generous states also have right-to-work (anti-union) policies; Nine of the 10 least generous states don’t. Geography also seems to play a part: Eight of the 10 most generous states -- Maryland, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma -- are located south of the Mason-Dixon Line. All eight of the least generous were in the North.

Ultimately, though, Utah may give the best glimpse into the way that charity works in America. Early in 2012, Gallup released a poll ranking the most religious and least religious states in the union. Of the most religious, only two -- Louisiana and North Carolina -- were not among the most generous. Conversely, of the 10 least religious, five were among the least generous.

In other words, when it comes to giving to others, it looks like the shortest way to an American’s heart may be through the collection plate.

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