GIVING FAITHFULLY UNTO THE LORD

THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL

(ECWA)

5007 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE

LOUISVILLE, KY 40214

(502) 375-1904

www.ecwalouisville.org, www.ecwausa.org, ecwaky@gmail.com

THEME:  TITHES AND OFFERINGS

TEXTS:  2 CHRONICLES 31:1-12; Malachi 3:7-10

DATE: May 29, 2011

BY

Rev. (Dr.) S. K. Awoniyi

INTRODUCTION

      The book of 2 Chronicles narrates the re-organization of temple worship.  King David did it (1 Chr. 23-26), King Solomon also (2 Chr. 8:14), and now it was King Hezekiah’s turn.  Before King Hezekiah asked the people to give in support of the worship, he first set an example.  After that people gave faithfully and generously and had more than enough (31:3-12).  Do you set a good example as a Christian? The Scripture says:

And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store (2 Chr. 31:10-11 (KJV).

What is the definition of tithe compared with other types of gifts? Tithe means a tenth of one’s increase or income.

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year (Deut 14:22 (KJV).

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. ¹¹ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. ¹² And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts (Mal 3:10-12 (KJV).

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: ¹⁰ So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine (Prov. 3:9-10 (KJV).

The definition of tithe is also well laid out for Israel. They were to gather their harvest and count the tithe out from what they gathered. For example, if you had 100 apples, you must count them out from one-to-ten, and the tenth one you set aside for the Lord.

And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. ³³ He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. ³⁴ These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai (Lev 27:32-34 (KJV).

HOW TITHING & OFFERING IMPART A CHRISTIAN’S LIFE

In today’s society the idea of tithing and making regular offering to God has fallen by the wayside for many Christians. Many are struggling financially, and the idea of relinquishing some of their financial wealth or possessions simply doesn’t seem like good financial sense to them.  Tithing and offerings are not about Christians giving their own money to the Lord, but rather an act of returning it to the original owner.  All things exist through God’s grace, and therefore in truth, the wealth that you have, you keep only as a steward upon His behalf. So, if you think about it, when a Christian chooses not to tithe, he or she is in fact stealing from God. The Scripture says:

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said,’ wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God?’ Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, ‘Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessings that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:7-10).

In this passage, there are two very important ideas that should be recognized. The first is that tithes and offerings are returned to God, and not given. Christians are stewards of what they have, and therefore the possessions within our care should be treated with respect and love.  There is a difference between tithes and offerings, and it is one that many Christians fail to realize. A tithe, by definition is a proportionate part of your gross income, usually 10%. An offering is what you choose to give back to God above and over that 10%.  So, besides not stealing from God, why should a Christian provide tithes and regular offerings? The passage in Malachi quoted above provides a very real incentive. Whatever is returned to God, He will return in full. If you return to God what is His, He will in turn bless you with the promise and grace that only God can provide. What could be a better incentive than that? 

      CONCLUSION

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TITHE AND OFFERING?

ANSWER:   A tithe is a tenth of your income that should be given to your church where you are a member for God’s work. You may say you cannot afford it, but God does enable you to do it once you begin or get started. Bear in mind that it is part of God’s miraculous law. Everything you have is for God and why should you rob God? Offering is given as an extra gift to your church for God’s work.  If you think this is difficult for you to obey, try it this week and honestly and faithfully wait on God and you will see His grace and blessings on you.  May the Lord keep and bless you the more.