Sermon 4-18-21
I want to share today about the Biblical basis for church finances in advance of our annual financial meeting next Sunday. NCF is unique in that we do not ask people for money each week like most churches do. We have a box in the back for donations and let people take responsibility for their giving. That wasn't My idea; that's what Pastor Lawrence, our founder, established from the beginning. He didn't want money to be a stumbling block for visitors. When Pastor Mark took over he kept the same policy and when he turned it over to me, I did likewise.
Many denominational churches not only pass the collection plate every week, but also operate on a pledge system. The Baptist church I grew up in would ask people to make a pledge for the year and then would give out a box with 52 special envelopes to put your money in. Sometimes there would be designations for general fund, building fund or missions. It makes a lot of sense from a business standpoint--it's a more accurate budget if you know what's coming in ahead of time. I know in the church my dad pastored, the pledges were considered estimates rather than legally binding obligations, but I have heard of churches which would send out a bill at the end of the year if you didn't meet your pledge. How many of you would like to get a bill from the church annually or monthly?
The Bible has much to say about finances. But much of it is not as clear cut as some would like. One word you hear in many Christian circles but never in secular culture is "tithing." Tithe means tenth or 10% or giving 10%. It is a Biblical concept even though how the Israelites actually carried it out is not crystal clear.
Allow me to give a quick Biblical overview before explaining how I apply it today.
Tithing is actually mentioned twice in Genesis before the Law of Moses is given. 1--Abraham gives a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek (see Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7)
2--Jacob vows to give God a tenth of all he provides (under certain conditions.) Genesis 28:20-22 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, (21) so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, (22) and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you."
In the Law of Moses, the tithe or tenth part of produce and animals is called holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30 Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD.)
It was to be given to the Levites in return for their service in the tent of meeting (tabernacle.) Num 18:21 "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting,
The Levites were the one tribe out of 12 set aside for the priesthood and the religious sacrifices and ceremonies. The tithe was the main way they earned their living. They in turn gave a tithe of the tithe to the LORD, which went specifically to Aaron the priest.
Numbers 18:26-28 "Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, 'When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe. (27) And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. (28) So you shall also present a contribution to the LORD from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel. And from it you shall give the LORD's contribution to Aaron the priest.
What gets confusing is that Deuteronomy talks about people eating their own tithe at the place the Lord your God will choose. . .and it also says that every third year the tithe is to be stored in the towns, not only for the Levite, but also for "the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow." (see chapters 14 and 26) So it seems like besides being used to keep the religious requirements functioning, it was also used for celebration and benevolence. Some scholars think this is actually referring to multiple tithes. Plus there are also other types of contributions which went directly to the priests and Levites--firstfruits, vows, sacrifices, and freewill offerings, but I am not going to elaborate on all those.
In the historical books of the OT 2 Chronicles 31 specifically mentions that Hezekiah reestablish the temple worship and "commanded the people of Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord."
And Nehemiah's covenant with the people obligated them to bring the tithe to the Levites (chapters 10 & 12)
The last book of the OT (who knows what that is?) rebukes Israel for failing to "bring the full tithe into the storehouse," calling it robbery.
Malachi 3:8-11 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. (9) You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. (10) Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (11) I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts.
When we look at these scriptures together we see that the tithe supported the religious workers so they could focus on their responsibilities and not have to work the land to earn a living. This is the foundation for a paid church staff. Plus, Paul writes in 1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
Double honor is likely referring to monetary payment, similar to the way we use the word "honorarium."
Earlier I mentioned Numbers talking about the tithe of the tithe. I can remember back to when the church was meeting in Carpentersville that the elders used this verse to decide to commit at least 10% of tithes received to missions, something that we still do.
So how are we to apply all this to this day and age? I would encourage everyone who considers themself a part of this congregation to give 10% or more of their income to the Lord through his church, unless the Lord gives you specific instructions otherwise. I know some people balk at this. We're no longer under the law; we're not under a curse because Jesus took away the curse. I agree. But tithing is a good antidote to selfishness and stinginess. I believe the Lord wants us to grow in generosity in many areas and for me, at least, tithing was a start in that direction. I know Pastor Lawrence used to say, "When you tithe, the 90% goes farther than the 100% when you don't tithe." I wouldn't know that from experience because I began tithing as a boy and have been doing so ever since. I've heard other people respond to someone who says, "I can't afford to tithe," by saying "I can't afford NOT to tithe." What I do know is that God does not want giving to be a burden but to be a joy. I have not always written out a 10% check for every check we received, but I would always keep track of what came in so that I could catch up if I got behind. I'm sure there were times when I got behind because we needed to spend it on some emergency or essentials, but I never used that as an excuse to "take a break" from tithing. In speaking of giving in general, here are some other verses to consider.
Luke 6:38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (7) Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
And the church is not the only place we should give. We should be giving to individuals in need as well as other Christian ministries. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (18) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
And this is right after Paul rebukes those who desire to be rich and have a love of money. It's not the riches themselves that are wrong; it's the attitude of putting riches before God that is wrong.
When we give to God first, it can also remind us that everything that we have (that is good) comes from God and he is the one who gives you power to get wealth, . . . Deuteronomy 8:18
Let's pray.
Lord, I pray that you would teach each of us to grow in generosity and wisdom when it comes to our finances.
