Stewardship: Your Personal Obligation

I. The Bible Teaches Stewardship

(1) The first lesson God taught man was his place as a steward (Genesis 2:16-17). The Psalmist declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein”(Psalms 24:1). And again in Psalms 50:10-12 “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” Haggai 2:8 states “The silver is mine, the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Therefore everything a person posessess belongs to God. The only claim one has to these possessions is as a steward who holds and disposes of such as it is pleasing to God.

(2) A steward is a keeper. He is not an owner but only a possessor. Everything belongs to God including ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Our time, talent, faith and service belongs to God. If everything belongs to God, then “our” money also belongs to him. Because of this, one should not speak of giving his tithes. The Bible refers to the act of “paying” God’s tithes.

(3) There was not much money in circulation in the early years of biblical history, when men gave of their substance (Gen. 14:19-20, Lev. 23:9-10, Prov. 3:9). But as a monetary economy increased money was substituted in place of grain, cattle, fruit, etc. (Mark 12:41, Acts 4:36-37).

II. The Tithe (Tenth)

As stewards we are to return one-tenth of our increase to the Lord (Mal. 3:10, Num.12:26). A faithful steward is to place one-tenth of his income into the Lord’s treasury. The first book of the OldTestament recorded the principle of tithing. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament, re-established it. “And here men that die receives tithes..”(Hebrews 7:8). The Apostle Paul said in I Cor.16:2 “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come.” Yes, tithing is for New Testament times as well as the Old Testament. The Lord God said in Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not..” The principles of God’s words are unchangeable.

III. The Purpose of the Tithe

The tithe should be paid so that the purposes of God may be maintained on the earth, as stated in Malachi 3:10 “that there may be meat in my house.” We have the obligation as stewards to give for the support of the ministry and the spreading of the gospel. Although Malachi 3:10 promises paramount blessings, one should not tithes for blessings alone, but rather out of and attitude of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His mercy and wonderful gift of salvation. God is teaching us to make Him our first priority. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). A faithful tither will be able to witness to the fact that he has been richly blessed in all areas of life; spiritually, mentally and physically, as well as materially and financially.

IV. Giving is Worship

Giving is worship (Matt. 2:1-2, 11, Psalm 96:7-8). We can give without worshipping but we cannot worship without giving. To give tithes and offerings is not just a duty, but an act of worship that brings spiritual blessings. As stated by the Apostle Paul, “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful”(I Cor. 4:2). Tithing demonstrates the very ideal of Christianity. For to be a Christian is to make God your first first priority. To be a tither is to make God your first priority. Tithing also reflects the very foundation upon which Christianity is laid, the foundation of love. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son…” (John 3:16). God gave His Son, Jesus gave His life a ransom for us. We owe everything we have, everything we are, and everything we hope to be to Him who gave His Son, His most dearest and precious possession. Shall we not do the same for Him? Remember II Cor. 9:8, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE TO REDEEM MANKIND TO GOD!