Abiding in Biblical Prosperity | Session 4 | Stewarding Treasure | Tithe, Offering, Alms Part 1 Big Ideas: • What is the overarching Biblical theme about giving before the Mosaic law, as a part of the Mosaic law, and post-Mosaic law under the New Covenant? “God, how long is a billion years? It’s like a minute to Me. Well, how much is a billion dollars? It’s like a penny to me. God, yes, son, can I have a penny? Sure, wait a minute.” -unknown. Luke 12:16-21 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” “With the price of everything else going up these days, aren’t you glad the Lord hasn’t increased the tithe to 15 percent?” —Anonymous Tithe-tenth; 10% Offering-something offered in worship or devotion to a deity. A contribution or collection with a designated purpose. Alms-Money, food or any other donations given to the needy or poor. (benevolence) To what extent was money a factor in the patriarchs’ relationship with God before and after the institution of specific commands regarding wealth and giving in the Mosaic Law? What lessons about wealth and giving can we learn from the fathers of our faith, who looked forward to and longed for the eventual fulfillment of God’s promises we now know as New Covenant believers? 1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-7): Both Cain and Abel present offerings to the Lord. The Lord “had regard” for Abel and his offering, but “for Cain and his offering [the Lord] had no regard.” Hebrews 11:4 explains that “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain.” Cain and Abel appear to be giving voluntarily, and their gifts were judged based on faith, not on quantity. 2. Abraham (Genesis 14:18-24): Abraham has just defeated Chedorlaomer (K-dor-lay-a-more), who had previously attacked and robbed Abraham’s kinsman, Lot. Upon his return to Salem (i.e., Jerusalem), Abraham gives 10 percent of the spoils to Melchizedek, Priest of the God Most High. This gift also appears to be voluntary, as opposed to an act of obedience to a specific command. Abraham confirms this conclusion when he states that he had previously vowed not to keep any spoils from the battle; indeed, Abraham proceeds to give away the remaining 90 percent of the treasure to his compatriots shortly thereafter. Moreover, Abraham appears to view the spoils as belonging to God, not himself. Here we see the first instance of recognition that all the resources God blesses us with truly belong to Him! 3. Jacob (Genesis 28:13-22): God promises to remain by Jacob’s side, as well as to provide Jacob with land and a great number of descendants who will bless the earth. Jacob responds conditionally: if God does these things, then Yahweh will be his God and he will give God one tenth of his possessions. Jacob shows he is actually quite fearful and insecure in God’s promises. (This is how a lot of people view tithe today with God. It’s a contract or an investment.) (Many stories in Scripture remind us how gracious God is to redeem and use weak, faltering, and frequently mistaken saints—people like us!) Jacob proceeds to spend 20 years with his uncle Laban before returning to the land God had promised, and the biblical text does not mention Jacob offering any gifts to God during that intervening period. 4. Tithe, offering, alms introduced as part of the Mosaic Law It is in the context of the Mosaic law that God first delivers explicit commandments regarding wealth and giving, most famously through the institution of the tithe. The average Israelite in the Old Testament was actually commanded to give three distinct tithes: A. Levitical Tithe/paying church leaders (Numbers 18:20-24): The Levitical Tithe was a 10-percent annual donation used to support the Levites. Unlike the other Israelite tribes, the Levites could not own land and therefore received no inheritance. Thus, the Levitical Tithe was intended to serve as the Levites’ inheritance, and was used to support their livelihood as temple servants, musicians, etc. Why do we pay our pastors? Numbers 18:21 “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. I Timothy 5:17-18 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” I Corinthians 9:9-14 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. Philippians 4:14-19 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 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. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 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. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Acts 6:2-4 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” B. Festival Tithe (Deuteronomy 12:17-19; 14:22-27; 26:10-16): The Festival Tithe was a 10-percent tithe used to host the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual festival honoring God’s work in bringing the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43). It is worth highlighting that God intended one of these three tithes to be used to throw a giant festival! God desires that we use His gifts of provision for our enjoyment in addition to serving others. C. The Charity Tithe was a 10-percent tithe offered in the third and sixth year of the Israelites’ seven-year societal life cycle that was used to support foreigners, orphans, and widows, as well as to provide additional resources to the Levites. (Deuteronomy 14:28-29) As biblical scholar Craig Blomberg points out in Neither Poverty nor Riches, adding these three tithes together reveals that most Israelites donated approximately 23 percent of their income every year, not 10 percent, as is commonly taught in churches today (10-percent Levitical Tithe plus 10-percent Festival Tithe plus 10-percent Charity Tithe given two-out-of-seven years equals approximately 22.9 percent). At a bare minimum, they gave 23 percent a year, but there was no ceiling on their generosity. They could—and frequently would—give exorbitantly out of their excess. In response to Moses’ call for contributions to the building of the Tabernacle, the Israelites literally gave so much that Moses had to command them to stop giving (Ex. 36:2–7). What does the Old Testament teach us about wealth and giving? • First, a proper use of one’s possessions has been an important part of a right relationship with God since the very beginning. Righteousness is made visible through the generous and fair administration of wealth. • Second, for many biblical characters, faith played a major role in governing their behavior with regard to wealth and giving: positively for Abel, Abraham, Boaz, and Job; negatively for Cain and Jacob; and a mixed record for David and Solomon. The capacity of money to do much good, but also much harm, is likely why Scripture devotes so much space to the subject. • Third, God clearly considers enacting justice for the poor a key responsibility of those blessed with wealth—not by empty theologically “correct” words or affirmations, but through visible actions. • Most importantly, we learn the appropriate relationship between ourselves, our wealth, and God. Deuteronomy 8:18 sums this up best: “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth . . .” Robbing God? All I must do is tithe, and I’m not under a curse any longer. Malachi 3:8-12 8“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.10Bring 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. 11“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; 12And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts. Testing God in Tithe Malachi 3:10-12 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. 11 “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; 12 And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts. If your theology binds you to the Old Covenant tithe command: • Are you properly obeying and giving approximately 23%? • What other Mosaic laws are you bound to? (dietary, sacrificial, cleansing, etc.) • What scriptural evidence do you have that supports this theological position? In 2011, a survey of pastors and leaders of denominations was conducted by the National Association of Evangelicals, mission organizations, and Christian universities. The survey found that 42 percent of respondents believe that giving 10 percent of one’s income is mandated of New Covenant believers by the Bible, while 58 percent do not. Jesus nor the apostles ever taught tithing as a New Testament command or covenant with God. It's not found in the New Testament Canon of scripture. People point to one or two places where tithe is mentioned but ignore/misinterpret the text. • Matthew 23:23…Check the context. • Hebrews 7:1-4 (Melchizedek) • It’s clear that the Old Testament tithing laws do not apply to New Testament believers today, however we find the principles of tithing, generosity, first fruits, stewardship, and sacrificial giving are wonderful Biblically based principles that we all should know and walk in. (Some content taken from: Cortines, John; Baumer, Gregory. God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School.) Early church did not practice tithing but did do extreme generosity. Much more than 10%. Acts 2:44-45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Acts 4:32-35 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Take Away: “To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart.” -R.M.McCheyne, 19th Century Scottish Pastor. “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose.” -Jim Elliot Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.