Table of Contents. Introduction Chapter One... 5 Regular Giving is the Same as Tithing. Chapter Two... 6 I Will be Debt Free if I Tithe

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Every generation is continually faced with challenges regarding the fundamentals of our faith, and stewardship of our finances is no exception and to become fully engaged disciples of Christ, we must all face the reality of stewardship. Jesus made the connection between our motives and our money in Matthew 6:21. Our financial stewardship is a clear indicator for our motives, and a clear indicator of our values.

Sadly, offerings and tithes have continually been the subject of attack, miscommunication, and false teaching. Therefore, it is essential that we understand Biblical truths surrounding stewardship. We can not simply dismiss the power of every seed sown financially. There is truly a miracle in every seed!

This resource is not intended to be exhaustive, rather providing a simple overview of each of these misconceptions about tithes and offerings. There are many great resources available on this subject, and as always, Scripture speaks for itself and is clear on the subject of tithes and offerings.

Blessings to you as you enjoy God through stewardship! Pastor Zach Prosser

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One

Regular Giving is the Same as Tithing

Although regular or systematic giving is essential and important element, it is not necessarily tithing. Regular giving is often compared to tipping for good service at a restaurant. It is an important practice, and should be done regularly, but tithing is the “first fruits” of our increase; the first 10%. A great example for study on the first fruits is found in Cain and Able’s offerings. Giving God our first 10% makes the remaining 90% holy or set apart with God’s blessing. An interesting fact: Up until 1943, the federal government allowed individuals to pay their own taxes and did not have federal withholding. Even to the government it became evident, that people left to their own accountability would not pay taxes, and thus they enacted the federal withholding. I suppose they had the same reality we often see in the church. We have an incredible opportunity to glorify God in our finances through obedient giving.

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with

a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” Malachi 3:8-9 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats

will overflow with new wine.”

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Two

I Will be Debt Free if I Tithe

Over the years, many preachers have stated that if you give a certain amount of money to their ministry you will be debt free. I believe in the supernatural, debt cancelling power of God. I’ve seen this happen many times in people’s lives. However, we often anticipate that the debt cancelling formula will work for everyone. God is not a formula; He is about discipleship. True stewardship is a lifestyle of discipleship and making the decisions that glorify God. Instead of allowing yourgreed to control your debt, take time to ask God what will glorify Him in your spending habits. How you spend your money is a reflection of your heart’s motive. Jesus said that your treasure is directly connected and reflective of your heart. Instead of asking God to cancel your debt, focus on asking God to transform your heart.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall

we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

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“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has

fulfilled the law.”

Romans 13:7-8 “The wicked borrows and does not repay,

But the righteous shows mercy and gives.”

Psalm 37:21 “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,’ When you have it with you.” Proverbs 3:28 “Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”

Ecclesiastes 5:5 “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why

do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and

inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to

God the things that are God’s.”

Matthew 22:17-21

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” Colossians 3:23

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Three

Giving to Other Ministries is my Tithe

Giving to other ministries rather than your local church is nice but it is not your tithe. This grave “misconception” is not about local pastors getting your money. I have been told preachers say things like this to make themselves richer and to prevent money from going to other non profits. Even if this idea were true, I don’t know many local pastors “getting rich” from the church’s tithe. Statistically speaking, most people in church spend more on dog food than their tithe in a year’s time. I believe in supporting other organizations, ministries, missionaries, evangelists, etc. Here is a question I often ask in relation to this: When you are facing difficult times in your life, need someone to marry you or conduct a funeral for a loved one, need counseling or support—who do you turn to for help? Is it the missionary or evangelist or TV ministry? The answer here is obvious. We look to our local church for support and ministry through life’s storms and seasons. It’s important that we make a financial partnership through stewardship to provide ministry to others so that we may also reap the same support in time of need. Stewardship in your local church creates an environment for you and others to receive pastoral care, equipping, training, and ministry. Does the Bible explicitly say “Give to this Church” - No. But Scripture is very clear on financial partnership with ”the storehouse” and the blessings this brings.

“‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ Says the Lord of hosts; ‘And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a

delightful land,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”

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“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,

that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap

everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have

opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:7-10

“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with

me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply

all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14-19

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Four

Being a Disciple of Christ is

Unrelated to Giving

On the contrary, becoming a fully engaged and fully developed disciple of Christ is directly related to giving. Remember, giving is a reflection of your heart—your mind, will, and emotions. Jesus came to transform our lives. Paul wrote in Romans that we are living sacrifices. Every area of our lives needs the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. In the famous Scripture, John 3:16, God so loved the world that he GAVE. Discipleship in our stewardship reflects our love for God. I have received His supernatural love in my life, and the overflow of His love causes me to give. When we truly have a revelation of the love of God, the only result is to give of ourselves through our time, our talents, and our resources. Maybe you find yourself not deeply moved to the point of giving freely; I would encourage you to give out of principle and find that even in following God’s command in principle, you will taste of something sweeter and more heavenly than a command—you will taste of His love and compassion. I often call this “priming the pump.” Sometimes as believers we do what we ought to do out of principle, but somewhere in the midst of duty we yield to God—we step out of duty and into opportunity. Discipleship is no longer an obligation, it is an opportunity. God rescued me and loved me!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these

things shall be added to you.”

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“For Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed

him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made

like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a

tenth of the spoils.”

Hebrews 7:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed

on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first

gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

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Five

Someone Else will Support the

Work in our Church

Turning on the lights, paying staff, opening the church doors, holding outreaches, doing ministry—is expensive. The Gospel is free, but the pipeline is lined with gold. Stewardship to the local church helps ministry to advance. Beyond this, we also recognize each person’s responsibility and partnership is vital to the ministry in our community—both local and international. As we become fully engaged disciples through stewardship, we understand the importantance of our role in the church. We begin to value our facilities. We value our staff. We value our ministries. We value our individual role within the church and its ministry. Ownership is developed because we are faithful stewards.

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such

blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10 “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that this great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded

in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had

hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God”

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“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. “

Galatians 6:6 “Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David

also rejoiced greatly.”

1 Chronicles 29:9 “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins

dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show

you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.”

Exodus 25:1-9 “You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will

bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” Deuteronomy 15:10 “He covets greedily all day long,

But the righteous gives and does not spare.”

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Six

My Tithe Amount is too Insignificant

to Make a Difference

I love in the Bible where Jesus ministers to the widow and uses a little boy’s fish and two loaves. Both had seemingly insignificant resources, but God used them to minister to many. Scripture doesn’t require that one give a certain dollar amount to earn God’s approval. Actually, it is impossible to earn anything that was given freely. Stewardship is the affect of God’s love in our heart. When God’s love truly affects our lives and genuine discipleship is happening, the dollar amount is insignificant. The focus is no longer on the amount, but the ability to give everything we can. We recognize Christ gave everything to redeem us, and we too lay down our lives in every aspect to be vessels used by Him. The miracle is not in the amount of seed sown, rather, the seed itself. We desire to give our entire lives, and this includes our first 10% no matter the size.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap

everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have

opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:7-10 “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.

So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

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“A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my

two sons to be his slaves.”

So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in

the house but a jar of oil.”

Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then

pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to

pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.”

And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil

and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” 2 Kings 4:1-7

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Seven

I Don’t Need to Tithe by Record

Because God Knows My Heart

God knows your heart, but do you? It’s amazing that in the world discussions about money and salaries are common and considered normal. When you go on a job interview; there will always be a discussion about salary. Come to church and ask someone about money and salaries and you might get a cold shoulder. Jesus was not shy with regards to giving. He was so transparent with money, that he allowed his disciples to handle the ministry funds—even though embezzlement was happening in his ministry. Tithing by record is less about God knowing your heart, and more about you knowing your heart—being a fully engaged disciple. Through record keeping you are able to have accountability with yourself and your pastors. Even Jesus watched in Mark 12:41, what people were giving in the offering. In Acts 5, Ananias & Sapphira were struck dead for lying about their giving.

“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.”

Mark 12:41 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it

not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon

all those who heard these things.”

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“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

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Eight

Tithing is the Ultimate Goal in Stewardship.

As a reference to baseball, I often say “tithing is just getting on base.” God calls each of us to a lifestyle of discipleship through stewardship. Regular tithing is just the foundation for extravagant giving. The more we learn to trust God, the more we begin to see His continual supply in our lives. As we continue in a discipleship journey in the area of stewardship we begin to give more—even over and above our regular tithe through offerings. Offerings can support missions, evangelists, other non profit ministries, and even people in the community who need a helping hand.. As we become more and more like Christ, we live more and more a life of sacrificial giving.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not

perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now

you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek

the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

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“And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctu-ary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morn-ing. Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctu-ary came, each from the work he was doing, and they spoke to Moses,

saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.”

So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any

more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for

all the work to be done—indeed too much.”

Exodus 36:3-7 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

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