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As bible believing Christians we are required to return the tithe and give offerings. The question begs to be asked: why?

Why do we give tithes? Why do we give offerings?

It is easy to agree that tithing is required since that is plainly stated in Malachi 3:10, but are offerings required?

Why does God want us to give offerings? And how does this relate to my salvation?

Here’s how:
1. Those that will go to heaven are those that have accepted Christ.
2. Those that accept Christ are Christ-like.
3. What does it mean to be Christ like?
* meek
* humble
* trust the heavenly father
wholely
* loving
* kind
* stands firm for the right
what about:
* unselfish
* generous
* gave all to the work of the
God
* a good steward

In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave ... ”

Because God loved us, He gave.

Do you love God?

Do you love God’s people?

Do you love God’s church?

Do you want to be like Christ? Christ’s way of showing love was to give.
If we love God, we must give.
If we love God’s people, we must give.
If we love God’s church, we must give.

Give what?
Time ... Talents ... Treasures.

It’s easy to give your talents. Talents are easily given in the form of service. For example, someone who speaks well in public may be very willing to preach a sermon. Someone knows how to sing well may sing on the church choir or at evangelistic meetings.

Time and money on the other hand are probably the hardest to give.

We tend to say, “I don’t have enough for myself. How can I give?”

“I’m so busy with work, school, house chores, etc., that I don’t have time to devote to personal bible study or ministry or for evangelism.”

“I have so many expenses that I don’t have enough money to give to the Church.”

Those are very self-centered reasons. It’s a "me first" reason. I don’t have enough for self so I can’t give to God's cause.

Remember that God owns everything. We are merely stewards! A steward is one entrusted with the possessions of someone else. We don’t own our time. We don’t own our money and possessions. Those are God’s. We are merely managing these things for Him.

If we are managers, we do not do what we want with what we manage. We simply do what the owner wants. If he wants us to throw it away, we throw it away. If he wants us to use it for ourselves, we use it for ourselves. If he wants us to give it away, we give it away!

What is your purpose in life? God has placed you here to be a blessing to those around you. You must use all that God has given you to help in God’s cause.

You are managing His resources. He wants His resources to be used for spreading the Gospel, paying the pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries. He wants his resources to be used to pay for proper Christian education, to pay for running the schools, outreach centers, and churches.

Christ teaches selflessness. He uses the principle of stewardship to fight against selfishness to teach us selflessness. We are to consider God first, others second, and ourselves last. Same with giving: We give to God first, then to others, then ourselves last. Tithe first, offerings next, our own expenses last.

If you do not follow this method, you are in violation of God’s plan.

The more you give, the less selfish you become. Your giving is therefore a measure of your selflessness. The more you give, the easier it is to give again.

The more you give, the more you realize your need of God. The more faith you will have that God will provide for your needs. Faithful stewardship therefore is a measure of your faith.

And now we have come full circle. Salvation is brought about by God’s grace through faith. Without faith we cannot take advantage of God’s grace. Faithful stewardship therefore is important in developing that faith that will allow us to accept God’s gift of grace.

Why and How To Give
As bible believing Christians we are required to return the tithe and give offerings. The question begs to be asked: why? Why do we give tithes? Why do we give offerings? It is easy to agree that tithing is required since that is plainly stated in Malachi 3:10, but are offerings required? Why does God want us to give offerings? And how does this relate to my salvation? Here’s how: 1. Those that will go to heaven are those that have accepted Christ. 2. Those that accept Christ are Christ-like. 3. What does it mean to be Christ like? * meek * humble * trust the heavenly father wholely * loving * kind * stands firm for the right what about: * unselfish * generous * gave all to the work of the God * a good steward In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave ... ” Because God loved us, He gave. Do you love God? Do you love God’s people? Do you love God’s church? Do you want to be like Christ? Christ’s way of showing love was to give. If we love God, we must give. If we love God’s people, we must give. If we love God’s church, we must give. Give what? Time ... Talents ... Treasures. It’s easy to give your talents. Talents are easily given in the form of service. For example, someone who speaks well in public may be very willing to preach a sermon. Someone knows how to sing well may sing on the church choir or at evangelistic meetings. Time and money on the other hand are probably the hardest to give. We tend to say, “I don’t have enough for myself. How can I give?” “I’m so busy with work, school, house chores, etc., that I don’t have time to devote to personal bible study or ministry or for evangelism.” “I have so many expenses that I don’t have enough money to give to the Church.” Those are very self-centered reasons. It’s a "me first" reason. I don’t have enough for self so I can’t give to God's cause. Remember that God owns everything. We are merely stewards! A steward is one entrusted with the possessions of someone else. We don’t own our time. We don’t own our money and possessions. Those are God’s. We are merely managing these things for Him. If we are managers, we do not do what we want with what we manage. We simply do what the owner wants. If he wants us to throw it away, we throw it away. If he wants us to use it for ourselves, we use it for ourselves. If he wants us to give it away, we give it away! What is your purpose in life? God has placed you here to be a blessing to those around you. You must use all that God has given you to help in God’s cause. You are managing His resources. He wants His resources to be used for spreading the Gospel, paying the pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries. He wants his resources to be used to pay for proper Christian education, to pay for running the schools, outreach centers, and churches. Christ teaches selflessness. He uses the principle of stewardship to fight against selfishness to teach us selflessness. We are to consider God first, others second, and ourselves last. Same with giving: We give to God first, then to others, then ourselves last. Tithe first, offerings next, our own expenses last. If you do not follow this method, you are in violation of God’s plan. The more you give, the less selfish you become. Your giving is therefore a measure of your selflessness. The more you give, the easier it is to give again. The more you give, the more you realize your need of God. The more faith you will have that God will provide for your needs. Faithful stewardship therefore is a measure of your faith. And now we have come full circle. Salvation is brought about by God’s grace through faith. Without faith we cannot take advantage of God’s grace. Faithful stewardship therefore is important in developing that faith that will allow us to accept God’s gift of grace.