Jesus’ example of grace is the model that pastors should seek to emulate when teaching on the discipleship of giving. In teaching on tithing, pastors must acknowledge that God’s people have suffered much spiritual abuse. Church leaders are not exempt from the temptations associated with the love of money. As Paul warned Timothy about these temptations, he encouraged Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:6-11 NKJV). Pastors should recognize the financial difficulties that many believers face. Some new converts come to church overloaded with debt. Many young couples try to provide for their families with a sub-standard income. Many senior adults live on a fixed income that is not adequate to their needs. These believers often struggle with tithing and giving. Pastors must have a patient and gentle spirit while encouraging these disciples to be faithful stewards.
For many Christians, tithes and offerings have become a legalistic “if-then” proposition: “If you are faithful in tithing, then God will bless you.” The problem is that giving becomes a legal contract instead of a covenant relationship. Legalism encourages self-righteousness, manipulates faith, and denies grace. Proper teaching about financial stewardship focuses on a covenant relationship that promotes grace, emphasizes discipleship, encourages joy, and expresses love.
Generosity is a sign of God’s grace at work in God’s people. On the day of Pentecost there were many signs of God’s grace at work: tongues speech, repentance, prayer, fellowship, and communion. But there is another sign of grace that is often ignored: “they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need” (Acts 2:25). As the Holy Spirit moves, God’s people are moved to share.
The Apostle Paul pointed to the example of the Macedonian believers (most likely the church at Philippi) as a model of Christian stewardship (Philippians 4:15-19). God’s grace is expressed in the sacrificial self-giving of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-7). The Macedonians had been recipients of God’s grace through the ministry of Paul. Paul presented the needs of the suffering believers in Palestine. Even though the Macedonians were suffering a “great ordeal of affliction” they could not ignore the needs of the Church at Jerusalem. In their “deep poverty” they gave “beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:1-6). Their encounter with God’s grace filled their hearts with loving-kindness so that the needs of the saints at Jerusalem became more important than their own (Philippians 2:3-4). Often a pastor can be found encouraging the saints to be faithful in giving. In the case of the Macedonians, they were entreating Paul “for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.”
Generosity is a mark of Christian discipleship. The Macedonians were eager to give their money because they had first given “themselves to the Lord and to us.” They had given themselves, and by extension all of their material possessions, in service to Christ. Throughout the New Testament we find that those who believed on Christ often expressed their devotion in generous giving (Luke 19:8; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-27). Some wealthy believers sold their properties and gave out of their wealth. But many believers, like the Macedonians, gave out of “their deep poverty.” Being committed to Jesus Christ means being committed to the mission of His church. The Great Commission must be funded by the generosity of Christ’s disciples. For all believers giving is an act of self-denial. Paul tells us that the Macedonians “gave of their own accord.” Paul insists that proper giving must be as each person “has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Pastors should exercise great caution when teaching on tithes and offerings in order to avoid the manipulation of faith and theology.
Generosity flows from an “abundance of joy.” The Macedonian believers suffered “in a great ordeal of affliction” and “deep poverty” but gave generously because their devotion to Christ filled them with an “abundance of joy.” Paul exhorts, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Luke tells us the stories of two rich men who had profoundly different encounters with Jesus. Jesus told an anonymous ruler to “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor.” The ruler “became extremely sad” (Luke 18:22-23). On the other hand, Zaccheus received the Lord “gladly” and gave half of all his possessions to the poor (Luke 19:5-8). Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24).
The materialistic culture in which we live tempts us to believe that joy can be found in possessions and wealth. Many Christians have adopted a spirituality that equates wealth with the blessings of God. But an ancient sage discovered the truth: the material possessions and pleasures of this world are as “vanity and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Jesus has taught us to forsake the anxiety caused by striving after the things of this world and “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:25-34). The kingdom of God is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Generosity is an expression of Christian love. Paul urged the Corinthians to follow the example of the Macedonians: “…in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Paul is adamant that love must be the primary motivation in Christian giving: “And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, …but do not have love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). The Greek word for love most commonly used in the New Testament is agape and denotes the self-sacrifical, self-giving nature of love. Agápē is the choice to give of oneself, to deny oneself, even to empty oneself for the sake of the beloved. Agápē is the essence of God (1 John 4:8) and the action of God (John 3:16). Agápē is also the proper human response to God (Luke 10:27). Love is the first mark of discipleship (John 13:35); the first fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22); and the primary motivation for Christian giving (1 John 3:16-17).
So, how can a pastor teach about Christian stewardship with patience and gentleness? The pastor must realize that teaching about stewardship is a much broader issue than tithes and offerings. Young couples and new disciples will need to be trained on the Christian view of money, work, saving, and giving. If these disciples are going to be faithful in tithing and giving, then they must get their financial house in order.
According to various surveys, Christians in the USA are giving about 3% of their income to churches and charities. This is far short of a tithe. The fact is that many regular church attenders give nothing. In the spirit of patience and gentleness, the pastor should encourage these believers to begin giving at some rate, maybe 3% or 5%, with the goal of growing into a full tithe. My experience has been that when believers begin giving at a minimal rate, they will eventually become faithful tithers.
Teaching about tithing should be included in every new member class. Prospective members should be informed of every believer’s responsibility in funding the ministry of the church.
Each Sunday, just before the offerings are received, the pastor may present a short devotional that encourages biblical stewardship. Or, the pastor might choose to show a short video about stewardship. These may be acquired from Sermonspice.com or Bluefishtv.com.
Finally, the pastor should encourage members of the church to testify about the significance of tithing in their Christian walk. These testimonies could be presented in lieu of the pastor’s devotional before the offertory. The testimonies of the faithful are often poignant reminders of every believer’s call to share in the mission of Christ.
