Money, Money, Money
Managing God’s Resources

Introduction

Have you ever wondered about what you’re supposed to do with the things God has blessed you with?  How are we to take care of the good things that God has sent our way?  The Bible is a very good source – better than any book on the shelf today – providing guidelines on how to spend money and take care of resources.  Perhaps you’ve wondered about the practice of tithing.  Some have asked if it’s honest to tithe first when bills are due.  Others question if they should make a financial pledge to God’s work through the church or missions when there is no money in the bank and no assurance of where it will come from.  Does saving and planning for retirement demonstrate a lack of faith in God?  Is anything wrong with being financially successful?  Does prayer have anything to do with our giving?  We’ll address these situations, questions, and more.

It’s too bad the culture of our day has given such a bad rap to generous giving in and through the church.  Some are suspicious when a pastor or ministry leader teaches biblical truth about tithing and giving.  Because of this, the topic is often avoided.  One church bulletin even went so far as to suggest visitors need not participate in the offering – a common and otherwise valid expression in most worship services! 

Capital Christian Center is the effective church it is because there are many who faithfully tithe and give offerings.  Because of their faithfulness, ministry outreach is helping and touching individuals, families, ministries, and missions around the world – beginning in Sacramento.  Some may not understand the New Testament practice of tithing as well as the Old Testament requirement.  Some have never been taught about the importance of stewardship and tithing.  The hesitation of some to talk about finances for fear of being misunderstood may keep many uninformed about God’s commands and promises.

Money, Money, Money
Managers  & Stewards

A basic understanding of our responsibilities as “managers” of all the things God has given us helps us do a better job.  The Bible talks about managers as “stewards.”  We use the terms interchangeably.

It’s an awesome discovery when we understand the same God who created the universe and everything in it is the same God who wants to partner with us as managers or stewards of His provision.  Some interesting Scriptures pertaining to this are Genesis 1:26-30; Matthew 20:1-16; Matthew 19:30; 1 Samuel 16:7.

God has always used managers to fulfill His plan.  Moses was a manager of millions of people.  God wanted His people moved from Egypt to the Promised Land.  He used Moses to do it.  God used David to lead or manage the Israelites in freeing the God-ordained lands that were bound by worship of false Gods rather than worship to the living God.  The apostle Paul was used by God to manage the early church and to get it organized.  In more recent history, God has used men like William Seymour and John Wesley to manage or preside over some of the mightiest moves of God the world has known. 

It’s easy for us to think we can’t compare with those we’ve listed.  However, God wants to use every one of us.  God has a job for us to do beginning with the things He has provided for us.  He wants us to manage our lives and our finances.  We represent Christ to our family, friends and associates.  Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do [in your management responsibility], do it with all your might.”  No provision is ever made for us to slack off or be careless.  We have a job to do!  Because what we do has a strong impact on others, we’re charged to do things right.  Luke 6:61 says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  We sometimes call this the Golden Rule.  It’s certainly the Golden Rule for managing God’s blessings. 

We should remember to manage everything we have as though everything was God’s – because in all reality, that is the fact.  There is not a single thing that does not come from God.  James 1:17 makes this clear saying, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  When we realize and acknowledge that everything comes from God we begin to manage our lives and possessions for Him and not for ourselves. 

Management God’s way is about more than finance and possessions.  God is also interested in how we manage our time.  It’s important for us to ask God how He wants us to order our calendar, monitor our commitments, and spend the time He has allowed us.  An important part of time management is allowing time to spend with God in reading the Bible and in praying – simply talking to God and then listening to Him. 

The Truth About Tithing

Following are some key verses concerning the relationship between us, our finances, and God.  Read them carefully.

Bring all the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour you out such blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive it.  Malachi 3:10

Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  Luke 6:38

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  John 8:32

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  3 John 2

The Bible lays out specific conditions and principles for a life filled with God’s blessing.  If we will apply them with diligence, those principles will cause us to receive the blessings He wants us to have. 

God blesses us because He is a loving Father who provides good things for His children.  He blesses us because He has made specific promises to us (Malachi 3:10, 11; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10).  God blesses us so that we can use His blessing to be a blessing and financial channel for His purpose (Deuteronomy 8:18). 

Scriptural Truths About Tithing

Study the checklist below.  It will help remind you of the basic truths on tithing.  You may want to make a copy of this list and place it in your Bible to refer to from time to time.

Truth #1
Tithing is God’s way of financing His kingdom on the earth so the Gospel can be shared and people can find relationship with Jesus Christ, be healed, made whole, and live a consistent faith.  It is tithing, not things like cake and bake sales, garage sales, auctions, car washes, selling tickets, or t-shirts that underwrites the cost of operating the ministry activity of the local church.

Truth #2
The Bible teaches that the word “tithe” means to give the tenth portion.  Ten percent of all your income belongs to the Lord.  One-tenth of everything you receive, your increase -- salary, business profits, profit from investments, financial gifts -- rightfully belongs to God (Leviticus 27:30).

Truth #3
The Bible teaches that the tithe is holy unto the Lord and is a sacred ordinance, just like Holy Communion or Water Baptism (Leviticus 27:32; Malachi 3:7; Deuteronomy 26:13).  Therefore, for the Christian to misuse or spend God’s tithe is to take that which is holy from God for human use. 

Truth #16
We are to be good stewards of the money and resources God has entrusted to us.  Tithing is the starting point in our stewardship and the foundation in our giving to God.

Truth #17
God should be first in our lives -- the tithe is the first fruits.  The tithe is the first tenth -- it is the first ten percent of your income.  If you give offerings and don’t tithe, then you will destroy your harvest because the devourer, the devil, is not rebuked.  The ABC’s in your giving is your tithe and that should always be the first check you write out as soon as you receive your pay -- weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or any other pay schedule. 

Truth #18
Giving the tithe acknowledges where your heart is and acknowledges the sovereignty of God and the Lordship of Jesus in your life.

Truth #19
We must realize the tithing didn’t begin and end with the law but is an eternal, foundational principle of God’s plan found in the Bible.

Truth #20
God doesn’t ask you to tithe as a punishment.  He wants you to tithe so that He can bless you.

Truth #21
The tithing Christian will see the hand of the Lord upon His finances.  We can never out give God.  Remember, ninety percent of your income with God’s blessing is more than one percent without it!

Make a Covenant with the Lord TODAY
It pays to trust and obey God!  Let today be the beginning of a new life of blessing for you.  Make a covenant with God, and try Him, as He has said.  He has already made a covenant with you and He won’t break it.  Let this covenant come from your heart: