INTRODUCTION: Human beings were created loving and trustworthy, but sin has made all of us self-centered, greedy and dishonest. Therefore, out of love, God has created ways to help us develop love and trust again so that we can be comfortable in heaven, and in harmony with its unselfish spirit. Today, we will study this part of God’s plan of redemption. 1. Who is the owner of the earth and everything in it? Psalm 50:10-14 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Deuteronomy 10:14 2. Money can be a great blessing, but what happens when we covet it and love it instead of the Giver? 1Timothy 6:6-10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Mark 10:23-25 3. Who gives us the skill and strength to acquire money? Deuteronomy 8:18 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Ecclesiastes 5:19 4. In one sense, we own nothing; everything we have is only loaned to us. When must we give an account of the goods entrusted to us? Luke 12:16-21 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Psalm 49:16-17; Romans 14:12 5. Since everything comes from God, and He has promised to provide for us, what attitude should we have about our daily needs? Matthew 6:25, 26 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Isaiah 33:15-16 6. Should we then be lazy and expect Him to make up for our lack of industry, planning and frugality? 2Thessalonians 3:7-10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 1Thessalonians 4:11 7. What portion of our wealth does God claim for Himself? Leviticus 27:30 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Tithe is from a Hebrew word which means ‘tenth.’ While all we have comes from the Lord, He permits us to use 9/10ths and asks us to return 1/10th to test our faithfulness and loyalty to Him. “All the tithe…IS the Lord’s.” When we pay our tithe, we are but returning to God what is already His. Genesis 14:18-20; 28:18-22 8. What is the first instance of tithing in the Bible? Genesis 14:18-20 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 9. What was the tithe used for in Israel? Hebrews 7:5 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: The Levites were especially set apart for ministry to the Lord. Today, just as then, the tithe is to be used for the support of God’s ministry throughout the world. 1Corinthians 9:13, 14; Matthew 10:5-10 10. Did Jesus recognize the principle of tithing? Luke 11:42 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Tithe does little good for the giver when given for show or to earn favor with God. Jesus said the Pharisees did right in giving their tithe, but they did it from a wrong motive, and were neglecting the essential virtues, such as love, mercy, and faith. They needed a change of heart. 11. Besides the tithe, what else did the children of Israel give to further the work of the Lord? Exodus 35:4-22 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: The tithe of our increase, a specified portion, is reserved by God for Himself. In addition to this the Bible speaks of freewill offerings which God’s people give to Him. While the tithe supports the work of the ministry, as in ancient times, offerings support Christian education and other Christian outreach. Exodus 25:2 12. There was one other kind of giving. What was it? Deuteronomy 26:12 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: This tithe was set aside over the course of two years and was specifically for the poor and widow, the stranger and fatherless. We refer to is as a second tithe specifically for the same group today. 13. What does God call those who withhold their tithes and offerings? Malachi 3:8-9 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 14. Other than loyalty to God and obedience to God’s command, what principle does God employ to encourage us in our giving? Galatians 6:6-7 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 15. What good does God promise if our giving is in faith? Proverbs 3:9-10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38 16. What factors, besides the amount of money, are important when we give to God? Luke 21:1-4 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 2Corinthians 8:12 17. In what spirit should we give our offerings? 2Corinthians 9:7 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Matthew 6:1-4; Romans 12:8 18. What should the basic nature of our offerings be? 2Samuel 24:18-25 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 19. Besides giving tithes and offerings to support God’s work and workers, in what other kinds of giving should we become involved? Matthew 25:34-40 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Psalm 41:1-3 20. Where only is our money secure? Matthew 6:19-20 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Luke 12:33-34 21. In what way are we affected by our giving habits? Matthew 6:21 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Matthew 19:21-22 22. What does Paul tell us the Lord said about giving? Acts 20:35 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 23. What should be our first gift? Romans 12:1 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ God does not need our money - He could rain down gold from heaven - but He is helping us to learn to trust Him, and to become loving and self-sacrificing, as Jesus was. The issue of tithes and offerings develops character. If we follow the commands of the Lord in the Bible on this issue we will overcome covetousness which would exclude us from heaven. At the same time, we have the promise that God will bless us and take care of all of our needs. (Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:30-33). Jesus gave His life, His blood; we give from our increase as a matter of obedience and to receive the promised blessing, and most importantly as a token of our gratitude to God for His unspeakable gift to us. (1Corinthians 9:10-15). Will you willingly follow God’s commands and freely give? MY RESPONSE TO CHRIST IS: □ YES □ UNDECIDED Email us at: admin@thebiblesays.net