"I don't want to go to church because they always ask for money!" How many times have you heard someone say that? Perhaps you have said it yourself. It may be true that some churches have overextended themselves financially and are consequently forced to spend precious time and energy raising an extravagant budget. It is also true that many parachurch organizations spend more time emphasizing money than they spend sharing the Gospel. But neither of these negates the important emphasis that God's Word places on proper stewardship of money and resources. In the church you will often hear words like stewardship, tithes, offerings, giving, etcetera. These should not be offensive words. They are words that ultimately point toward the blessings of God upon your life. The Bible likens the believer to a steward in a rich man's estate.

A steward is one who is committed to the proper management of something that belongs to another. The Bible teaches us that everything in the world belongs to God (Psalm 24:1-2). This being the case, nothing we claim to own really belongs to us -our house, car, property, and our money all belong to God, and He has simply entrusted it to us so that we can manage it for Him.

The word tithe means a "tenth." Simply stated, the first 10 percent of what comes into our hands is holy and is to be consecrated unto the Lord. In the Old Testament, the patriarch Abraham paid tithes (Genesis 14:18-20), as did Jacob (Genesis 28:22). Indeed, when we consider that the prophet Malachi likened the failure to tithe with robbing God (Malachi 3:8), we might assume that tithing was a universally understood standard for the people of God. Malachi instructs us to bring the tithe into "the storehouse (Malachi 3:10). In the Old Testament, the storehouse was the Temple, and in the New Testament, it is the local church. I cannot choose where I place my tithe. I am not allowed the privilege of diverting it into charity, for the support of a Parachurch ministry, or for any other purpose. I am instructed in Scripture to bring it to "the storehouse." There are those who would argue that tithing is an Old Testament idea and is not practiced in the New Testament. However, while condemning the scribes and Pharisees for neglecting important spiritual practices, Jesus actually commended them for tithing and giving (Matthew 23:23). It appears that it was simply understood that believers would tithe. The tithe-the first tenth-should be given into the local church treasury immediately after one has received an income. The tithe should be paid before the mortgage, light bill, car payment, or any other household expense. Yes, it is true that all of these bills must be paid. God knows that we have need of all of these things. Nevertheless, the promise is clear that if we seek Him first, He will supply all of our needs (Matthew 6:33).

One might protest that a minister friend or a particular ministry is in need of support, therefore, it should be okay to give them our tithe. God knew there would be legitimate needs such as these, and He provided for their support, but not by diversion of the tithe. In addition to the tenth, we are commanded to also give offerings. What is the difference? The tithe is the first tenth, which is holy unto the Lord, and the offerings are any gifts we choose to give or feel led to give above the tenth. One does not seem to be limited by Scripture as to where offerings may be given. Malachi said that we bring the tithe "into the storehouse, but he gave no such guidance regarding offerings. Certainly, our local church is a good place to begin with our offerings. There are always worthy needs and worthwhile projects in the church that need our support, including giving to those less fortunate. God promises blessing to those who give to the poor (Proverbs 14:21), and Jesus says that we are not to turn away from those who ask for our help (Matthew 5:42).

Christians are givers. Because God has given us His love and mercy, we tend to be (or we should tend to be) openhearted. Because of this, sincere believers are sometimes taken advantage of by those who would prey on our compassion. This is, without a doubt, one of the primary reasons why God specified that the tithe must go to "the storehouse". He knows how easily we get caught up in the emotion of compassion and either neglect His house or give to less worthy causes. Exercise caution when approached to make donations. Verify the veracity of ministries and charities that make an appeal to you. In Acts 20:35, we are instructed to "support the weak." Use care in making sure that you are not supporting the extravagant lifestyle of someone who portends to be doing good work but is rather using your liberality for personal gain. When you think you "feel led" to give, be prayerful and careful that you are not being "swayed" rather than "led." When a believer knows that the gift is going for a worthy cause, giving can become a joy. The apostle Paul gives three simple rules for giving: (1) do not give grudgingly; (2) do not give because you are compelled to ("of necessity"); and (3) give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Just before you begin your personal study questions, please take a moment and pray this prayer:

Lord, I thank You for the privilege of being Your steward. Since I am Your steward, that means that I have been blessed with many things to care for. They don't belong to me, Lord; they belong to You. Help me to realize that everything I have is a gift from God. My very life is a gift. Today is my gift from You. What I do with it is my gift back to You. Help me to realize that when I put You first with my tithes and my offerings, I will be blessed. You can help me accomplish more with what is left after I give than I could accomplish with it all. I give it all back to You as Your steward. Help me to be faithful. In Jesus name, amen.

Please take time now to research the following questions, using your Bible to find and record the answers in the spaces provided. The answer to each question in found in the Scripture references that are cited.

1. To whom did Abraham pay tithes? (Hebrews 7:1-2; Genesis 14:18-20).

Hebrews 7:1-2 - This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,

2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

Genesis 14:18-20 -

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,

19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

2. What was this man's position? (Genesis 14:18).

Genesis 14:18 - Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,

3. Abraham paid tithes before the Law was given to Moses. Atleast one other man is said to have done the same. What was his name? (Genesis 28:16-22)

Genesis 28:16-22 -

16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it.

19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear

21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the LORD will be my God

22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

4. How did the prophet Malachi say that the people had robbed God? (Malachi 3:8).

Malachi 3:8 - “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.

5 What command and what promise concerning the tithe are given by God in Malachi 3:10?

Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

6. When Jesus pronounced woe on the scribes and Pharisees, what weighty matters did He say ought to be remembered? (Matthew 23:23)

Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

7. In the same verse (Matthew 23:23), what did He say ought not to be left undone?

Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

8. Is there a difference between tithes and offerings? (Malachi 3:8)

Malachi 3:8 - “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.

9. What kind of giver does God love? (2 Corinthians 9:7)

2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

10. What kind of judgment is pronounced upon those who do not hear the cries of the poor? (Proverbs 21:13)

Proverbs 21:13 - Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

11. What promise is given to those who help the poor? (Proverbs 14.21)

Proverbs 14:21 - It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.