Church And Money

If everything comes from God, why does the church ask for our money?

A disgruntled churchgoer was featured on a TV current affairs program a while ago. Seems its a big news story when a church-goer complains about anything and this time it was about God’s call for us to give back 10% of what we receive to Him. Although this is God’s decree, when money is involved and they don’t understand the true purpose for giving 10%, people get upset.

So, what is the reason for tithing apart from the obvious expenses that churches incur in keeping expenses paid for?

Simply because this tiny tithe of 10% of our income when given back to God, brings blessing to the giver!

God says: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! “Try it! Let me prove it to you! Malachi 3:10 TLB

The message version of the above passage puts it this way:
Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.

It’s not about churches stashing hordes of cash for themselves. Tithing brings blessing. It’s about obedience to God. An amount as small as ten percent of our pay will never harm our ability to pay our bills if we are careful how we spend, in fact, our money goes further when we give back what God asks of us.

The perception that if you yield to God He will drain you of your bank account is an interesting one, however, it’s based on unreality.

Footy and RSL Clubs lure patrons to gamble on a promise of untold riches that will make their dreams come true. This is a constant reality in clubs around Australia, however, nothing is for free!

But that’s not considered newsworthy even though some patrons loose home and family in an attempt to win that promised but elusive prize.

Churches not doing any of this is targeted and clubs are free to continue but why?

What are the odds of a poker machine making our dreams come true? Pretty slim right? This is well understood but it doesn’t stop that hope we might win!

One club recently took this grab for cash up a level when it advertised a prize draw every 30 minutes with the condition of entry being the need to have your club card in your poker machine for the course of the afternoon. And the prize needed to be claimed within one minute of the draw or you missed out so again you had to be close to your poker machine. Anyone else has a problem with making people play the pokies all afternoon to be eligible for a prize draw? Isn’t this newsworthy?

Is there integrity in flashing signs, bells and whistles with attractive promises of huge riches created by organisations that determine how much of their poker machine takings will be given away? Is anyone asking who pays for this when families can be torn apart?

We all search for something to fill the emptiness inside and having loads of money won’t make our dreams come true because there’ll always be something more. So back to the thought that the church wants all your money….

The Bible tells us to bring a tithe because…
Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God’s work, serving you. Pay everyone whatever he ought to have: pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honour and respect to all those to whom it is due. Romans 13:6

My personal experience is that this God of the Universe has no need of our money, so why would He ask us to contribute 10% of our income to Him? This Bible verse gives us the reason..

Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, Who cherish and relish his commandments, Their children robust on the earth, And the homes of the upright—how blessed! Their houses brim with wealth And a generosity that never runs dry. Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people— God’s grace and mercy and justice! The good person is generous and lends lavishly; No shuffling or stumbling around for this one, But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation. Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, They lavish gifts on the poor— A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life! Someone wicked takes one look and rages, Blusters away but ends up speechless. There’s nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing. Psalm 112:5

Make an offering of ten percent, a tithe, of all the produce which grows in your fields year after year. Bring this into the Presence of God, your God, at the place he designates for worship and there eat the tithe from your grain, wine, and oil and the firstborn from your herds and flocks. In this way you will learn to live in deep reverence before God, your God, as long as you live. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 MSG

The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.

Pay your taxes … for government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God’s work, serving you. Romans 13:6

To obey God in tithing has never left me short of cash however when I’ve withheld that 10% because I ‘have bills to pay’, my money hasn’t gone as far. Even finance gurus have seen the wisdom of this and will suggest if you put just 10 percent of your weekly earnings into a bank account when you first start to earn, when it’s time to retire you will be financially secure.

Because our hard earned money is ours and there is so much to do with the money we want to keep it ourselves but ten percent is a small ask and by being obedient in this we acknowledge that the God who supplies all our needs is all we need.

“What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Not much more than that. Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And he knows the number of hairs on your head! Never fear, you are far more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. Luke 12:6-7, Matthew 10:29-31

Satan doesn’t like it when we do what God says.

We naturally think that we, not God, are the ones to provide what we need for our family and it’s a big ask to let go of the control and trust God, but that’s what God asks of us, so the thought that ‘the church wants all your money’ is geared to keep you from having close contact with God but instead has us working two jobs or running to other places to ‘get rich quick’ and we all know that’s not the best plan.

So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. 26 Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Matthew 6:25-26

In obeying Him my life is complete. Where money is concerned, Service Clubs promise much and deliver little but the House of God introduces you to Jesus who will supply your every need.

Trusting God works, His promises are true and the blessings are endless. I don’t need to risk investing money on dubious promises to make ends meet, God supplies all my needs – it’s that simple and obeying Him with ten percent of my income has never caused a ripple in my finances. He’ll do the same for you if you give Him a chance – no risk of disappointment here!

Who pays for it? Jesus already paid with His live, sacrificing on a cross for our forgiveness plus eternal benefits – there’s nothing more to pay.

But now God has shown us a different way to heaven—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal; yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins. Romans 3:21-24

Have you accepted His invitation yet?
Right now it’s not too late to join us… I hope to meet you at the party…

Please share this message with those you love and bring the only true light to someone else’s world!

2019 Elaine Costin – Capturing Sunrise / Blog