Financial stewardship is something that can seem daunting and difficult but the freedom that comes with wise money choices is life changing. Scripture teaches us to be great stewards and a budget, following the Lords plan for money and discipline will bring you to another level of freedom.
Without question this is one of the hottest topics in the church world today. The reason this is such a heated issue is because of abuse and the lack of knowledge in the body of Christ.
There is a need to bring clarity to the church with the Word of God and to eliminate confusion and bring understanding for blessing. This is definitely a doctrine of the Word, designed by God Himself, so we need to understand to be in His will.
We believe that generosity is a value we should live by. God was generous by sending His Son Jesus and Jesus was generous by surrendering His life for us. We aim to be like God.
In no way are you required to give to attend or be a part of His Tabernacle Family Church. That has never been a requirement and never will be. We do not have a membership to revoke nor will we ask you to leave if you do not. Giving is a personal choice that is between God and a person. Our goal is to equip people with the bible and they then can make their own choice.
Stewardship
What is stewardship...? According to Websters Dictionary it is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
Ps. 24:1, The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. NKJV
Everything we have is not ours, but God’s. We are being entrusted to manage His assets while we are here on this earth.
In Luke 16:1-2, He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ NKJV
Luke 16:10-11, He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? NKJV
We are called to be good stewards of God’s finances. He has asked us to tithe 10%, and we get the blessing of using the 90% as we wish as good stewards. God will bless the 90% when we are faithful as His steward to tithe the 10%. This is also a testing of trust. In Verse 11 said that if we can be faithful with money, which is temporary, He than can trust us with true riches which are eternal.
Tithes
Many, when thinking about God and money, never connect this with relationship and respect, but God definitely does. In Leviticus 27:30 it says "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. NKJV"
The Garden of Eden is a great example for us to understand that some things are not to be touched.
Genesis 2:8-9, The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. NKJV
Gen. 2:16-17, And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” NKJV
Why could they not eat of that tree? Was it poison? Would they understand right and wrong if they ate? Why not that tree? One reason was for free will. If they had no choice then they would never love God with free will because there would have been no option to sin. The major reason is BECAUSE it was God’s tree! He separated this tree from them to partake. It was not to be enjoyed because it was not theirs to enjoy.
Malachi 3:7-10 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7 Yet from the days of your fathers. You have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return? “Will a man rob God?Yet you have robbed Me! But you say,‘In what way have we robbed You? 'In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts,“If I will not open for you the windows of heavenAnd pour out for you such blessing. That there will not be room enough to receive it." NKJV
In our relationships there are certain things that are expected. When a person doesn't meet those expectations, or acts in the opposite way, know that it is hurtful and disrespectful. It doesn't stop love, but it creates strain and a gap. It stops another level of closeness until the behavior is changed. Tithing is HOLY, and when we choose willfully to not obey our King, then as much as He loves us, there is a breach because of disrespect. IT EFFECTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!
Alms
Matthew 6:1-4, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. NKJV
An ALM is giving to someone in need, above your tithe. The greek word means - mercy, charity, a donation to the poor. It is giving and not expecting anything in return, and not letting people know that you have given the gift to that person or organization. When giving an ALM you should not tell anyone and secretly bless someone who is struggling in their finances, food, clothing, basic needs of life. The Father says that He will reward you for giving the ALM to those in need.
He might bless you with favor.
He might bless you with a spiritual blessing.
He might bless you with the same thing that you blessed someone else with.
He will bless you as long as you do it and do not try to get your glory here on earth.
For more detailed teaching on this you can refer to part 1 and 2 of this teaching available here.