“What if everyone in the church tithed?”

Occasionally this question comes to me and this morning was another one of those times. Another guy in ministry posed the question and it’s a good one. Since we’re in the middle of our GIVE 2012 emphasis, it even seems timely.  What would we do if everyone in the church tithed?

There was a time when I thought everybody tithed.  Then I graduated from the 6th grade and knew better! (joke) I’m going to write some things here but know a couple of things first:

• I’m going to talk freely about stewardship, discipleship, debt & giving… but making you feel GUILTY is not what I’m about. I’m praying and leading Norkenzie towards being an even more generous church, that’s true!  But creating a group of guilt-ridden disciples is SO FAR from the heart of God and His Kingdom, I want nothing to do with that.
• Conviction from the Holy Spirit is different from feeling guilty. Being convicted and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit lead us to freedom. Being guilt-ridden is, in my opinion, bondage. It is counter-intuitive, but giving away money is the pathway to financial freedom.

“Everybody isn’t Tithing?”
For as long as I’ve been in ministry the statistics have told us that Evangelical American Christians give 2-3% of their income back to God in worship. The percentage of Adult Christians who tithe runs around 6-8% of the church. Around half (50%!) of American Christians give ‘little or nothing’ to their church’s ministry or upkeep.

Now I think Norkenzie is WAY above the national averages… I really do!  We have so many generous hearts in our church family! (NOTE: The only family’s giving that I know about is the Johnstons, and I like it that way!)  But think with me, if we’re TWICE as generous as the national average, that would mean we’re giving 4-6% of our income back to God in worship.  We’re probably not there, but who knows?  Maybe.

“Daydream with Me”
What would Norkenzie do if our resources for ministry doubled?  Apparently that’s what would happen if every household tithed (a ‘tithe’ = 10%). Here’s where my mind goes…

• Our missionaries would be fully funded! Some of them have lost support from other churches and we could take up the slack. Our Missions Team would be interviewing more missionaries to support, or maybe we’d support someone 100% in the mission field (a dream of mine).
• We’d be encouraging our best and brightest young people to attend Bible College and/or Seminary, and we’d be sure to see them through financially!
• We could add air conditioning to the Sanctuary! Wahoo! Have you been here in August?  The congregation is fighting off sleep and the preacher is sweating like a pig! I’m not sure which is worse.

“It’s really about Discipleship”
My motivation is really about growing mature followers of Jesus.  I had a conversation recently with a guy (not from Norkenzie) who was struggling financially. He shared with me all of the dynamics of his financial and family life and the pressures they were under. Then came what I figured must be true… this disciple ‘couldn’t afford’ to give anything to the church. 

His understanding was out of whack, probably from the pressure he was under. He couldn’t give because of his debt load (which was growing weekly because of an undisciplined life). His answer to the bondage was exactly the opposite of Scripture. He wasn’t giving in order to become financially free, but financial freedom can ONLY come through giving money away.  My friend was also missing out on one of the most powerful forms of worship. He thought he just wasn’t giving to the church when reality he wasn’t giving back to the Lord!  Everything we have been blessed with is from God. Tithing is how we honor the Giver of everything we have. We’re not giving back 10% of our resources… we’re keeping 90% of His resources! 

Jesus said that where our treasures are our hearts will be also.  He was talking about our money and possessions.  He also said that we cannot serve both God and Money (Money being a potential idol in our lives!). Our giving is the answer! It’s about the heart.  It’s about honoring God who has provided everything for us. 

Read Matthew 6:1-4, 19-34.

"Here’s my opinion"
I know it’s hard to believe, but people disagree with me on some of these things.  But just so you know, here’s my understanding of biblical stewardship.

• Giving 10% is a biblical precedent that we know honors God
• Generosity begins at giving 11% - these are the ‘offerings’ when we talk about ‘tithes & offerings.’
• Christians are free in Christ to give whatever amount they decide, not reluctantly or under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver!
• You will ‘reap what you sow.’ Generous provision comes to those who generously give.  You cannot out give the Giver! (Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
• Financial freedom comes when we give money away. We are free from it’s control over us. God has promised to provide even more resources so we can be even more generous! (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

"Change the Question"
Let’s change the question.  Instead of wondering what would be if everybody in the church were to tithe, let’s just focus on our own household. What would it mean if my household were to trust God in this area of discipleship. What if I was to honor God in my giving?

Bring out your budget this weekend and re-do it.  At the top write your monthly income. The first line is your tithe (10%). On the second line put 10% into Savings. Below these write everything else.  Now, like you know you’ll have to, start cutting expenses.  Decide to live a disciplined life financially. Trust God.  Live the adventure!