Tithing Principle

Consider the AudienceAge - Child or Adult?Experience – Where are they now?Need – What do they want to know?Mindset - Concrete or Abstract thinker?Situation - Person in prosperity vs poverty?Encounter - Personal study vs Congregation?

What medium will you use?Text – Self DiscoveryQuestions & Answer / Study

GuideDiscussion Group / DebatePersonal TutorCharismatic Speaker / Teacher

Which teaching approach? Literal proof text methodExperiential – how tithe works for meHistoric survey – how has it been applied

/ interpreted over timeStewardship perspective – whole life

responsibilityAuthority sources – the voice of prophetsGrand Theme

What is a biblical theme?A refrain, evident in one story after another, to the extent that the truth becomes beyond a coincidence.

Example - Biblical themesThe Story of RedemptionThe Great ControversyThe Loving FatherExodus The Remnant

What is the value of a theme?Themes are the silver threads that

appear in multiple stories over a long period of time.

They create meaningThey enable us to search for

different levels of understandingThey enable us to interpret the text

beyond the simple literalism

What is the dominant theme embraced in Adventism?The Great Controversy between Good &

EvilA moral theology of right and wrongA theology consistent with LawA theology that requires JusticeA theology that defines Grace as a gift to

deal with the inadequacy of mankind to deal with the Sin problem

What are the disadvantages?Over use / emphasisRead into texts interpretations that are not supported by the evidence

Blindness to other themesExclusiveness of conclusions

The stewardship theme: The God of Abundance who overcomes scarcity

The God who provides goodness

Narratives:Creation – It was Good to Very GoodEden – The creation of abundance /

perfectionFlood – A time of Scarcity7 Years Plenty vs FamineProvision of MannaLand flowing with Milk and Honey Earth made new

MiraclesWater to wineFeeding the 5000Cast your net on the other-side

Bible References to TithingGen 14:20Lev 27:30-32Num 18: 24,26,28Deut 12: 6, 11, 17Deut 14: 22, 23, 28Deut 26:122 Chron 31:5,6,12Neh 10:37,38

Neh 12:44Neh 13: 5,12Amos 4:4Mal 3:8-10Matt 23:23Luke 16:12Heb 7:5-9

What we Learn - Genesis 14:20

Melchizadek – High Priest blessed the family of Abraham.

Abraham – Responded to the blessingAbraham – Tithed in the context of worshipAbraham – Tithed “All”

Contrast the requirements of the King of Sodom.....

Keep the Tithe – and take the Person....Abraham declared that he would take nothing

that belonged to God

What we Learn - Leviticus 27:30-32The Chapter is about Redemption of the

SacredAll of the Tithes: Seed/Fruit/FlocksThe Tithe is HolyPrice of withholding is 20% interestIt is the first fruit – whether Good or BadAny exchange makes the swap holy.In effect – there is no manipulation Tithe is Tithe it belongs to God.

What we learn - Numbers 18:24-28Duties of the Priests....Support of the Priests.... Offerings with emphasis on the ‘first’

crop/animal/childSupport of Priests, Work of the TabernacleEternal Covenant / Inheritance between the

Tribes & LevitesThe Levites were also to Tithe to AaronTithe not to be profaned

What we learn - Deuteronomy12:6-17 The Temple is the place where Tithes

are brought.(It is not merely ‘sent’) it is associated with the

experience of Sacrifice and Repentance.Every man should not do ‘what is right in his own

eyes’.14:22-28 Bring the Tithe of Produce or its

Monetary Equivalent.“That you may learn to fear the Lord – always”“You and Your household may rejoice before the

Lord”26:12 Recount the story in worship of how God

has blessed his people.

What we learn - 2 Chron 31:5-12Tithing was part of the ReformationFollowed the abandonment of IdolatryRestructuring of the Priesthood – segregation of

dutiesAppointment of Treasurers“Since the people of brought Tithes and

Offerings”We have an abundance.....blessing“Every work that began in the service of the

house of God, in the law and the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.”

What we learn - Nehemiah 10 Reformation – a return to Ordinance and

StatuteDescendant of Aaron – Storehouse conceptWe will not neglect the house of our God.12 Attitude of rejoicing toward the Levites and

Temple Servants.13 System of Authority and Structure with regard

to the Storehouse. Appointment of TreasurersAssociated with the aversion of trade on Sabbath.

What we learn – Amos 4:4Amos was a lay prophet challenged to speak

to the King / Priest / IsraelHe required of them accountabilityHe challenged them to repent in the face of

dangerHe challenged their abuse of power.

Tithe & Offering......”For this you love”

What we learn – Malachi 3:8-10Return of Tithe is contextualised in the Coming

Messenger / Christ.Part of the preparation for the ‘coming’Part of the preparation for impending judgment.Contrast with evil people.. Adulterers,

sorcerers..Placed in the context of the battle between

Good and EvilRestoration of Tithe results in a blessing on the

people and the nation.

What we learn – Matthew 23:23Perspective:Tithe in small things – which should be done

But not without a focus on Justice, Mercy and Faith

What we learn – Luke 16:1216 Faithfulness: If you can be honest and accountable with the master’s gifts, you will be honest and accountable with your own.

18 Humility - Bring the Tithe with repentance and humility.

What we learn – Hebrews 7:5-9

7 Considerations:Ownership God owns everythingExample Jesus gave everythingEternal Destiny Our gifts are minor Emphasis 1/6th of Christ’s

teachingProportionality Give as we prosper Totality NT model exceeds 10%Investment In the salvation of

others

The BIG principle:Put God firstTithe is the first tenth of income. (not any 10%, certainly not the last)

Attitude to Giving & TitheGenerouslySystematicallyThoughtfullyExtravagantlyReverentlyProportionatelyJoyfullyWillinglyRegularly

FaithfullyExpectantlyEternallyWorshipfullySecretly /

HumblyCheerfullySacrificiallyExcellently

Tithing makes sense:

when the heart is first consecrated.

in the context of stewardship toward God’s ecology and economy .