Are You a Cheerful Giver?

Tithing!  One of the most dangerous, yet powerful, topics any preacher can tackle in front of their congregation.  Now, there are many Christians who do not believe that tithing is scriptural.  There are some who believe we should tithe, but that ten percent is not required.  And there are some who believe we should not only tithe ten percent, but even more.  

No, I'm not going to ask for money.  And if you're still  reading along with me, then let's take a look at what tithing really means. 

Did you know that how we handle money reveals a great deal about the depth of our commitment to Christ? There’s an old saying that goes like this, “Show me a man’s checkbook, and I’ll show you where his priorities are.”  There is a lot of truth in that, which is why Jesus often talked about money.  Money mattered then, just as much as it matters today.  Unfortunately, it matters too much for some of us.

Did you know that nationally, only 20% of those who belong to a church claim to tithe?  Let me share with you a few more statistics:

1) Only 3-5% of Americans who give to their local church do so through regular tithing.

2) For Christian families making less than $20k per year, 8% of them gave at least 10% in tithing. For families making a minimum of $75k or more, the figure drops to just 1%.

3) The average donation by adults who attend U.S. Protestant churches is about $17 a week.
4) 1 in 3 American Christians say that it is impossible for them to get ahead in life because of the debt that they have incurred.
5) If Christians followed the Old Testament standard of giving across the board, then $139 billion would become available every year for additional ministry work.
6) 37% of people who attend church every week and identify themselves as Evangelical don’t give any money to their church.
7) 17% of American families have reduced the amount that they give to their local church in some way. 7% have dropped regular giving by 20% or more.

8) People are more likely to practice tithing when they begin the practice in their teens or early twenties.

Most churches nowadays begin to struggle financially long before the end of the year because so few of us tithe anymore.  Tithing could bring about greater success for the American Christian church, it’s true. So could better financial stewardship and a focus on Biblical priorities.

Some believers argue that the whole notion of tithing is an Old Testament practice, largely from Mosaic Law, and does not apply to any of us who live under grace.  They seem to forget that it was Jesus who said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will be any means disappear until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18)  He also said, “...Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's..." (Mark 12:17)

The fact is both the Old and New Testaments speak often about money and giving generously, although the New Testament does not specifically appear to require a tithe.  The problem is that we get so bogged down in the legalism of tithing that we miss the whole point.  Tithing is not something that we have to do, but the born-again Christian should want to tithe.

One of my favorite stories is about how Alice and I became tithers shortly after we began attending church In Hillsville, VA after we were married.  I felt God calling us to tithe as a family.  I had been reading my Bible when I seemed to continually come across scripture that talked about giving back to God a portion of what is His.  Having been a believer for just a bit longer than my wife, and having grown up in a family of committed, consistent tithers, I cautiously approached Alice about wanting to begin tithing from our income.  “Tithe!” she said.  “We can barely cover our bills each month.”  Ultimately, she agreed to sit down together and begin looking at what the Word of God had to say about this topic.

Some of the verses that jumped out at us were, "Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you." (Deut 16:17)

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12)

And finally, Malachi 3:10 which says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” 

Malachi really clinched it for us! 

These scriptures assured her it was biblical, and something God wanted us to do.  If we were sincere about our faith in Christ, and our willingness to trust Him with our lives, then tithing was an important part of that commitment.  So I made a deal with her.  Let’s try tithing for 6 months.  If it doesn’t work out and prevents us from paying our debts, then we would discontinue doing so. 

Well, that was 24 years ago, and we are still tithing.  I can’t say God made us rich for being faithful, nor was there a great deal of excess money floating around to fulfill our desires.  I can say, God has never let us down, and He has always supplied our needs no matter how much.  Sometimes it was at the last moment the funds arrived, but they always arrived.  In this day and age where there is a decided lack of integrity, many people suspect we may be stretching the truth when we make these claims, but our testimony today is one backed up by a God who owns "...the cattle on a thousand hills..." (Psalm 50:8-10), and “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

We need to remember that God is not as concerned about the money as He is about our hearts when it comes to tithing.  He’s much more interested in our attitude towards tithing than how much we put in the plate.  Sure He expects us to tithe, because tithing is also worship, and an outward and visible sign of our acknowledgment that it really all belongs to Him.  Frankly, the whole purpose of tithing is to teach us that God wants to enjoy first priority in our lives. 

Paul also states that tithing entails more than just money, it also includes all we are and do, when he said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Most importantly, the Lord expects nothing less than our best from us when it comes to tithing, and He wants us to do so with an attitude of joy. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

I believe that promise because my own Christian walk has taught me that you can never out-give God! 

My friends, you must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give.  Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.  For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.  And God will generously provide all you need, with plenty left over to share with others.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this, or any of the topics I've written on here.  

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