God and Money
Most people are surprised to discover that money is one of the most talked about subjects not only in the teachings of Jesus, but throughout the entire Bible. The way we earn it, spend it, and how much we give to God were issues of great concern to Jesus and the other writers of the Bible.
Why? Because there is no other aspect of our behavior which reveals more about our goals and values in life than how we acquire, use and manage our monies (Matthew 6:19-21). It’s easy to say that God is Lord of our lives, but for many, that never becomes completely true until they allow Him to be Lord of their finances.
There are three terms found in the Bible which summarize the Bible’s teachings on money: Stewardship, Tithes, and Offerings.
What is Stewardship?
A "steward" is one who manages the property or finandal affairs of another. Stewardship refers to the responsibility we have to manage our resources in a manner that is consistent with God’s will and purposes.
The Bible teaches that each of us is viewed by God as a "steward" over the resources with which He has entrusted us. This applies to our time, energy, money, and other material assets. None of our possessions actually belong to us, but rather to God (Psalm 24:1; I Chronicles 29:10-13). As stewards, we are responsible to use and invest our resources wisely, for the sake of His kingdom (Luke I 6:1-3).
What is a Tithe?
The tithe is a specific way in which man can acknowledge God’s ownership of all things. It is a Biblical concept first introduced in Genesis, the first Book of the Bible. In its earliest usage, it literally meant "the top of the heap." It refers to giving to God the best that we have, right off the top of the pile, rather than what is left over after we meet all our other obligations (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:5.9).
Commerce and culture became more sophisticated over time, and the tithe was identified as being a certain percentage of one’s income. Ten percent was to be regularly set aside and given to the priests for the service and maintenance of the Temple and the Priesthood.
Under the Old Testament Mosaic Law, the tithe was given as a matter of necessity, it was the Law (Ezekiel 44:30; Malachi 3:8-10).
In the New Testament, giving is generally viewed as an act of our free will, motivated by a desire to honor God and invest in the furtherance of His kingdom’s work in the world (Matthew 6:19-20).
Today, many Christians customarily give 10% of their monthly income as a way to honor and worship God. They take to heart the challenges presented in the Bible to believe God’s promises to reward and abundantly bless those who give in faith (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Such persons are the ones who primarily support churches and their outreaches.
What is an Offering?
An "offering" represents a special financial gift, above and beyond the tithe. It is usually given in response to a special need or request. It is an expression of concern, grace, and love for others and God’s work.
Who Pays the Bills?
Few have any idea of how churches are funded. Some believe that churches receive money from the government or some giant institution. In fact, churches, are funded solely through the financial gifts of their members. Consequently, a church’s facilities, staff and ministries are all directly linked to its members’ willing financial support. It is a direct expression of our faith in God, and our desire to see His message of salvation extended to others.
We thank each of you who supports the ministry God has raised up, and we pray God’s blessing on your faithful service to Him.
