Giving, Tithing, Kingdom Stewardship, and Rewards

Why you should give:

1. To support: the gospel, God’s house, His workers, and the poor [Lev.27:30, Num. 18:26, Dt. 14:22-30, 1Tim. 5:16-18, Mt.23:23]: The Old Testament [OT] offerings supported the temple and tabernacle, the Levites who served, and the poor. The offerings amounted to 23.3% of income. Similarly, the NT affirms this principle. The standards of New Testament grace are higher than OT law [e.g. Sermon on Mt.].

2. To display obedience, trust, gratitude, and love [Mal. 3:8-10, 2Cor. 9:8-10, Jn. 12:3]: Failure to give is akin to robbing God and displays a lack of obedience and trust in God’s provision [Mal. 3:8-10, 2Cor. 9:8-10]. Giving reflects gratitude that God has given us His best [Jn. 3:16]. Generous giving displays generous love [Jn. 12:3].

3. To acknowledge you’re a steward of God’s resources [Mt. 25:14-29, Hag.2:8]: Our time, talents, and treasure belong to God and He has entrusted these resources to use to advance His Kingdom. God expects a return on His investment.

4. To invest in heavenly treasure [Mt. 6:20-21, 19:15-29, 25:20-21, Lu. 12:33-34]: God has promised to reward those who give to advance his kingdom. Your heart is always inclined in the direction of your treasure. So. invest in heavenly treasure. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” [ Mt.6:20-21].
Tax-based thinking seeks to reduce liability [e.g. net vs. gross income] while investment thinking looks to maximize investment for eternal retirement. Rewards are proportional to generosity, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” [2Cor. 9:6].

How you should give to God:

1. Purposefully [2 Cor.9:7, 1Cor. 16:2, Prov. 3:9]: All of God’s people are called to give. Your giving reveals your priorities, values and love. Plan to avoid indebtedness to create greater freedom to give (generously). Budget to allocate your first-fruits to God [Prov. 3:9]

2. Joyfully [2Cor. 9:7]: We are to give with a joyful heart not grudgingly (complaining) nor solely from a sense of duty (necessity as required per Mosaic law).

3. Generously [1Cor. 16:1-2, 2Cor. 9:6-11]: Generosity is measured by the sacrifice not the size of the gift. Those with much resource are able to give more. God enriches so you can give more generously not live more luxuriously [2Cor. 9:11]. The Macedonian church gave generously even though it was very poor [2Cor. 8:3]. Similarly, the widow who offered two mites (pennies) was praised for her generous sacrifice since she had so little [Lu. 21:1-4].

How the funds are used at Calvary Nexus: 2019 budget goals and actuals:

a. Personnel under 50% (48.3%)

b. Missions, outreach, benevolence over 20% (23.9%)

c. Operations and Facilities 25% (27.8%)