Biblical StewardshipIn 2002, my husband and I learned about biblical stewardship in regard to money. After all that the Lord had done for us, Joe and I wanted to honor Him by dedicating a planned portion of our income to His work. Since then, we have responded to God's goodness in our lives by consistently giving more than 10% of our income to our local church and world-wide kingdom work (ministry). Many people look upon the word "tithing" with bitterness, anxiety, hostility, or skepticism. To us, tithing means trust, devotion, blessing, freedom, and discipline. It is one consistent and practical way that we show love and devotion to our God. Do You Mind A Little Transparency? When I wrote about biblical stewardship and our commitment to tithe in my book years ago, I didn't realize how I had come across until later, after I had looked at it from another point of view. The driving force, so to speak, is the love and covenant relationship between the giver and his or her God. The scriptures on giving and stewardship, and yes, specifically in Malachi 3 on tithing, developed and disciplined in us a genuine love for giving.
What was a commandment for the Israelites, became an honor and pleasure for us. The heart of this "biblical stewardship" matter is not to fearfully follow old testament laws in contradiction to the grace we receive by faith. We are not justified and saved by works or doing a man-made required amount of good deeds. However, there is a difference between what makes you righteous & what's commanded of you as a Christ-follower -- and the results of bible principles in action, such as sowing and reaping, found clearly in the scriptures. We were never pressured to or given special church privileges if we did. We purposed in our hearts to do it. We just wanted to give back. We do not fear that not giving any certain amount of our income harms our salvation or affects how our congregation and church leaders would love and treat us. That has nothing to do with it. Churches should not use teaching of the biblical stewardship of money through tithing (or any ministry money for that matter) as a method to line the pockets of rich preachers, make selfish, outlandishly expensive purchases, or to only allow members who tithe to be part of special privileges in the church. However, I do strongly believe that God wants us to be cheerful and generous givers. To take the gospel to the ends of the earth and to allow those in our church and community with serious needs to benefit from the contributions. Biblical Stewardship: Can You Out-Give God? I once entertained a thought about whether or not our level of giving should be continued, encouraged, or taught. Then I thought, if the Lord has blessed us, and He has, and if we have been able to change and impact so many lives for God's glory and kingdom through generous giving, and we have, why in the world would we stop?! Changing and improving lives for God's glory is my mission in life and should be of every Christian. If I didn't give that money, I would be selfish with it or it would be consumed some other way. And, I would have many less "seeds" planted for a harvest to be blessed and bless others. What good does that do both now and after I'm dead? No, I'd much rather stay right where I'm at. Since then, we have actually taken our monthly, planned giving to a new level. Soon after we increased our giving, I discovered this unique website opportunity to turn my passion into a business and make my business my passion. This very website you are (hopefully) enjoying reading. Now, I don't know what you're thinking right now. You may be wondering if my focus is on the blessing or the being the blessing. I know many Christians focus mainly on the blessing and what God can do for me. I pray for all of us to turn from that thinking and heart. I clearly realize that if the Lord told me to sell and give away everything I have and to start over with a very minimal existence, I must obey. I want to be in the center of God's will for His glory. By God's grace, I will live by faith, which means continuously stepping out in faith. Biblical Stewardship: Goal For Teaching Simple Living My goal for teaching others biblical stewardship and how to manage a simple life is to free us up from the very things that hold us back from effectively serving the one true and living God. Wrong priorities, consumerism and debt, disorders and disease, and so on. I am God's servant, but He also calls me His friend. Walking in financial wisdom, peace, and blessing glorifies God. Walking in ignorance, a lack of productivity, and greed does NOT. I have learned to trust God to supply all of our needs. That place of trust and contentment is a wonderful place to be. We don't complain about money or habitually throw it down the drain like we see happening all around us. I don't want excess in my life - the biggest and best material stuff that this world has to offer. I want what God wants to give me and what's best for me. If I ask for something I mistakenly believe would be best for me, I trust God NOT to give it to me. I desire His correction and guidance even if it means my measly disappointment. So anyway, we never have stopped giving at that rate, no matter what our income or situation has been. One of my conclusions of biblical stewardship is it doesn't make sense to give God less, only more. :-) Whether or not God requires tithing is not the point. It's not a salvation issue. Some may make it out to be, but it's not. Consistent, cheerful and generous giving is something I enjoy doing as a response to God's acceptance of me by faith and grace. The point is that the Bible does clearly teach the principle that you reap what you sow. Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This verse follows a verse saying if you sow judgment, you will reap judgment. If you sow forgiveness, you will reap forgiveness. It's just like a farmer with seeds. It's not only what you plant that determines your type of harvest, but how much. To take your harvest to a new level, you must take your giving to a new level. You are a walking storehouse of seeds. Freely give and plant your seeds. Biblical Stewardship: Step Out In Faith I have heard many testimonies of people who stepped out in faith to begin dedicating a tenth of their income to God's work or give sacrificially and the bondage of debt and financial trouble was broken off of their lives. Don't be afraid to trust God, if indeed He is your God. As far as tithing, He told the Israelites to actually TEST Him by being obedient in this way. Wow! Test God? Why? Because He wanted to bless them and because His Word is true and trustworthy. Again, we are not held to old testament laws as were the Israelites such as not eating "unclean" animals and tithing. BUT, animals haven't changed. God's diet plan is still the best plan for maintaining healthy bodies today. And, God still blesses the giver. Like the Levitical, dietary law, we understand the value of tithing as a formula or guide and an important part of living the blessed life. I am not against God’s people having quality things. It’s when these things have us that problems arise. When we get to the point that we are not content with what we have, we have gotten our sights off of God and His ability and promise to provide and onto what others have or what we want. Money, after all, is better in the hands of a giver than a consumer and waster. A blessed giver is naturally going to result in increased outreach and ministry because of the very nature of a giver. Money is not evil. What's evil is a person's love and greed for it where they do whatever it takes to get more. And, when more is never enough. It's about having more than enough (and understanding what enough really is) and being content and at peace. Never stop learning how to be a better farmer...Uh, seed-sower. ;) Even some non-Christians and millionaires understand the principle of tithing and giving. They know it works! What do I mean by "it works"? I mean that when you learn to give (with a joyful heart) sacrificially or a significant portion of your earnings to those in need, it has the power to change your heart and it puts you in a position to receive and to sow again, and again, and again... The Enlightened Millionaire In a book entitled The One Minute Millionaire, Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen share their understanding of the character of an "Enlightened Millionaire". The Enlightened Millionaire doesn't strive to make money just to be selfish and rich. Their main goal is to add value to other people's lives. They learn to give back to improve the lives of others. "The Enlightened Millionaire knows that giving is a seed that multiples infinitely. Tithing is the tool...The Enlightened Millionaire donates the first 10% of all of his or her income [to charities and/or churches in their community]." It is also said that "Tithing is a money multiplier, not a money subtracter. It expands, multiplies, and adds value to all that you do." There is largely unappreciated value in this biblical stewardship principle. Don't get upset when a Christian, or anyone else, encourages tithing or sacrificial giving for the right reasons. It's a wonderful discipline and for the Christian a dedication to - who? - the guy down the street? No! Just to your Savior and Lord of the universe. How is your way of handling your allowance (income) working out for you? Remember, where your treasure is, your heart is... Biblical Stewardship: Time & Talents We also learned biblical stewardship in regard to our time, talents, and God-given gifts. God wants all of you. Give God reign over everything you have and all that you are and watch how God will move in your life. Use your resources for reaching out to people and building His kingdom. The more God can trust you with what you have, the more He will bless you and with overflow to be a blessing to others. Take care of and appreciate what you have. Promotion doesn't come from the East or from the West, but from the Lord. (Psalm 75:6) If you want more money, use the money you have wisely before you expect God to promote you. God is watching how you handle His resources. You may not be as ready to handle more money as you think you are. Like the Apostle Paul, we must learn the secret of being content whether we are in abundance or in need. If God can’t get it through you, He won’t give it to you. We are supposed to be a tool with money and blessing, not a pool. Conclusion I want to make it clear that I commit my ways and submit my plans and desires to the Lord. To me, the main goal of biblical stewardship, of money in specific, is to spend and invest it wisely and to give generously. I am committed to increasing my giving as our income increases. That's a priority. I refuse to put money before God. If I ever do, I trust Holy Spirit to convict me, and boy has He had to in the past! Give much, give often, give cheerfully, and walk in blessing. Learn to be faithful in biblical stewardship. God's way is always the best way.
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