

The Purpose of the Tithe
Some say the original purpose of the tithe is to feed (provide for) pastors and to fund the church. What is the purpose of the tithe today?
“God expects us to give not as an afterthought, but as our top financial priority.”, – Alex Cook
Make a quick Google search of the word stewardship and several similar meanings may come up:
Definitions of the word stewardship are all over the internet as much as it can be found across several books in the Bible.
Here are a few passages in the Bible that touch on the topic of stewardship.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
To anyone that has been entrusted with something, trustworthiness is required and expected. One day, every Christian will have to answer to God for how they lived their lives—how they dealt their business, treated other people, used their resources, served God, and lived as trustworthy stewards of God.
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
Stop clinging on to money and material possessions; remember that you are God’s steward entrusted with all these. So utilize it to honor and glorify Him and God is faithful to supply what you need.
Acts 20:35 (ESV) “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Someone once said that God’s stewards are “sacrificially generous.” And true enough, God commands every Christian to give to those in need without holding back. Your money, skills, time, ministry, and earthly possessions are only valuable when you share it with your neighbor.
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
A steward is a servant. God requires Christians to be ready to serve others with whatever gift they have been blessed with.
2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV) “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
You are the steward of your ministry. Make sure you carry out God’s work faithfully and wholeheartedly, realizing that you are doing it for the Lord.
Matthew 25:14 (ESV) “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.”
We have been entrusted with our business, family, job, ministry, money, skills, and our entire life. Now, we need to live as Godly stewards according to God’s will in the Bible.
Colossians 3:2 (ESV) “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
It’s good to have an abundant life on earth, to have money to spend, a fancy house and a car. But make sure that you live for something more than these material possessions. Live a life that honors and glorifies God knowing that your life on earth is temporary.
Some say the original purpose of the tithe is to feed (provide for) pastors and to fund the church. What is the purpose of the tithe today?
We all have a radically generous God. It’s not impossible to begin building a culture of generosity when God is the source! He will supply!
How can we grow faithful stewards in the church? Follow God’s way and begin to plant your life and become the first faithful steward, then let God take over!
0 Comments