Statistics:
247 million people in the U.S. claim to be Christian. (2018)
1.5 million professing Christians in the U.S. tithe. (Less than 1%) (2018)
The average tithe for an American is 2% of their income. (2018)
Tither’s make up about 10-25% of the church congregation.
The average adult in US Protestant churches gives $17.
7% of church goers have dropped their giving by 20%.
Christian families making less than $20K/year, 8% gave 10% of their finances.
Christian families making $75K/year, 1% give 10% of their finances.
- Giving Attitude of Obedience
- Giving Hearts (Mother’s Day)
- Giving Financially
- Giving Time, Gifts, and Talents
Why do we give? Is it Biblical?
Genesis 4:2-7
“Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 14:19-20 Abram gave to Melchizedek (Type of Christ but not Jesus, parallels to Christ)
“And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Genesis 28:22 Jacob promises to give a 10th to the Lord.
“And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
Leviticus 27:30, 32 Moses
30 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord.
32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the Lord.
Acts 5:1-11
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Points:
We Give:
- because it belongs to the God
- out of obedience to God
