SEMESTER 3
343 – Finances of the Church – The Tithe
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY III LESSON # 43
FINANCES OF THE CHURCH (THE TITHE)
Read Heb. 7:1-9
, Mal. 3:7-12.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Two questions should logically precede any talk of church financing.
i. Is an ongoing ministry of the church God’s will? (The great commission answers this.)
ii. Is money a necessary and divinely appointed part of that ministry? (The Pauline epistles clearly answer, yes.)
2. The question of how this money should be supplied then automatically emerges, and two possible answers present themselves.
i. Through a new program, clearly outlined in the New Testament. (Could it be Acts 4:32-37?)
ii. An obvious extension of personal conduct (as in moral conduct) carried over from the Old Testament.
3. The latter answer is obviously correct for at least three reasons:
i. The “all things common” was not later practiced.
ii. Private ownership and possession continued through New Testament times.
iii. The practice of giving tithes and offerings is obvious in the New Testament.
4. This brings us to the doctrine of the tithe.
I. WHAT IS THE TITHE?
1. It is one tenth of a whole.
i. By Webster’s definition.
ii. By biblical cross-usage. (Gen. 28:22)
2. It is the first tenth. (Lev. 27:26-32, Pro. 3:9)
3. It is a holy portion, reserved by God to Himself, of all our increase.
4. It is a curse to the keeper, when withheld from God. (Mal. 3:9)
III: Achan’s taking of the first spoils of the Land of Canaan.
5. It is a principle of godly living. (Gen. 14:20, Gen. 28:22, Lev. 27:30, Mat. 23:23, Heb. 7:8, I Cor. 16:2)
II. WHY HAS GOD ORDAINED THIS METHOD?
1. Because it keeps us constantly aware of the source and the measure of our increase.
2. Because it is a perpetual exercise in obedience.
3. Because it is a perpetual discipline over one of our most basic natures (covetousness).
4. Because it is a way to prove our love for God, to ourselves and to others. (II Cor. 8:8)
5. Because it is a sufficient, but necessary amount to carry on the basic work which God purposes for us. (Mal. 3:10)
III. OBJECTIONS TO THIS TEACHING AND PRACTICE AND ANSWERS TO THEM
1. This is too much to expect poor people to give.
Answer: God demanded it in the Old Testament therefore it is fair.
2. The rich should give more than the poor.
Answer: They do, in dollars and cents, yet while giving less, the poor are permitted to do as much proportionately.
3. But should not the rich give a larger percentage?
Answer: Perhaps in offerings; yet to criticize the equal percentage principle is to criticize God.
4. This is the legal economy and thus is not relevant to New Testament Christianity.
Answer: This economy definitely existed before the law, and was definitely practiced after the cross.
5. Surely, you would not expect people who are behind on bills, etc., to tithe until they are caught up on them.
Answer: Robbing God and thus bringing a curse upon your finances is not the way to get caught up.
6. But I had debts before I was saved, would God not want me to get caught up first?
Answer: Your greatest debt is to God. Honor Him with the first fruits and you will pay your debts faster.
7. But if we just teach people to love God, won’t the money take care of itself?
Answer: No, while it is true that love must motivate obedience, obedience must be to doctrine, not just to spirit. This is the principle reason behind all Bible teaching.
8. But surely a family where the husband or wife is lost is not responsible to tithe the entire family income.
Answer: Though he probably won’t give it, the tithe of the increase of every human being upon the earth belongs to God.
9. But may the tithe not be directed to many areas, according to one’s own conviction?
Answer: No, the only record of monies of any kind consecrated to God in the New Testament, were given through the local church. It is God’s only authorized recipient.