Tag: tithe

Give Generously

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

You can watch the video of this sermon here.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Let’s talk about stewardship. Stewardship doesn’t just involve our money. It also involves our time, our talents and skills, our vehicles, our food. In short, stewardship involves all of our resources. There are different types of givers.

There are greedy givers. They hold back for themselves, but lie to others about how much they give. Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5:1-10, are a good example of this kind of giver. They only give to be seen, and to put on a show. Even then it is likely they give grudgingly.

Then there is the legalist giver. I’ll also call them stingy. They tithe faithfully. But they are careful to calculate out that ten percent, and no more. Don’t even think about asking them for a special offering, or to donate to charity. They gave their tithe, and that’s all God requires.

These first two, you might be lucky enough to get them to contribute to a church dinner. But, they’ll likely make a show of it, and they will want their leftovers back.

Then there are those who are afraid to give. This could be due to any number of valid reasons. They may have limited resources. They may be afraid to give because they are afraid that what tiny bit they can give just doesn’t matter, and won’t make a difference.

Then there are the generous givers. This has absolutely nothing to do with how large or small the gift is. These are the people who look for opportunities to share. These are the people who, they may not have great paying jobs. They may not even have a job. But they will gladly share the resources they do have. Maybe it’s a bottle of water or a sandwich to the homeless lady on the corner, or some clothes for the family who just lost everything in a fire. Maybe it’s a meal for that new co-worker who just started. Maybe it is giving a little extra in the offering plate for a special project, or a special ministry. The bottom line is, these are the people who love to give because they love to share their blessings. They love to share Jesus.
Are you greedy? Do you stick to that ten percent and no more? Are you afraid to give? Or are you a generous giver

Bottom Line: What kind of giver are you?

1) Giving is how we share God’s grace and blessings

The Macedonian believers wanted to share the grace and blessing that they had received. Paul had not even asked them to give, but they had pleaded to be a part of giving.

Share your talents around the church, with other believers, and with your neighbors. Share your food with a co-worker, or the person asking for money on the street. Giving generously can provide opportunities for us to share far more that just food or money. Being willing to give, regardless of your resources, may provide you with an unexpected opportunity to share your testimony with someone; or to invite them to church. It may open a door to friendship that we never expected

2) The size of gift doesn’t matter

The Macedonian believers were struggling themselves with severe poverty, yet they gave what they could afford, and even more. Paul says that in spite of their poverty, they actually exceeded all expectations.

We can only give out of what we have. Let me refer you to Mark 12:41-44. Jesus is watching as the people are dropping their money into the collection box at the Temple. Of course the rich people are dropping their large amounts of money. Now, scripture doesn’t say, but I would imagine many of them were sincere, but I would also bet that some were likely very pompous and making sure that other people could see and hear them giving their large amounts of money. Then this, poor widow comes along. And she drops in her two little coins. It might be similar to watching someone drop two pennies into the offering plate, today. Jesus calls over His disciples and says, “You know, she gave more than the others gave. You see, they gave just a tiny bit out of their riches. But this widow, she gave everything.” You might say they gave their ten percent, but she gave one hundred percent.

Look If we have a great deal, then we should give out of our abundance. But, even if we have just a little, we can give something. God doesn’t expect us to give so much that we leave ourselves in need. Obviously, someone who doesn’t have money can’t give it, but maybe you can share a sandwich. Maybe God is asking you to give your time, and share your talents.

It’s not a competition. Every little bit adds up. God knows how to use everything; Even the smallest amount. For Heaven’s sake, Jesus used a boy’s lunch, consisting of just a couple small fish and a few small loaves of bread, to feed over 5,000 people. And there was enough leftover to make 12 baskets for the disciples. The smallest gifts matter. Just give. Let God do the rest.

3) Start by surrendering to Jesus

Now, this idea of giving generously does not come naturally to us. To truly begin giving generously we have start by surrendering our self to Jesus, and willingly follow whatever direction the Lord leads. This is where the Macedonian church began. They started by first dedicating themselves to the Lord.

How much more generously can you give than Jesus did. He set the pattern. He gave up His throne, came to earth, not by just appearing, or being born in a king’s palace; He came to earth, being born in a lowly manger, a feeding trough, to the wife of a carpenter. His birth wasn’t announced to kings, or even the religious leaders of the day. It was announced to shepherds. I could go on, but I think it’s pretty clear that He not only left His riches in Glory, but He even skipped out on His riches here on earth. And even gave His life.

And all He asks of us is to give just a little bit out of what resources we have. Just a little bit of our money, or food, water, clothing, skills, or time.

I have heard it said that if you want to know a person’s priorities, look at his checkbook, and calendar. It’s fairly accurate. I have heard testimonies of people who had to go into the bank to correct errors, and balance their checkbooks. And the person who assisted them would inevitably see that they regularly wrote a check to the church, and there may be a check that had been written for missions, teen or children’s camp, or some other ministry. In some cases it was an opportunity to share their testimony.

It’s not as likely that someone will see your calendar, but, what does your calendar look like? Or, what would it look like if you listed everything you do?

Bottom Line: What kind of giver do you want to be?

I don’t know how you answered the first question, “What kind of giver are you?” But I hope that all of our answers for the second question is, “I want to be a generous giver.”

Sow Your Seed

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

I need ten people a month to plant a seed of $300 a month. God also told me he wants me to have a brand new RV, along with a new truck to tow it. When you plant your seed, and send it to me, God will bless you, richly.

Ok, ok. Stop. Please don’t actually send me money. Number one, it doesn’t work that way. Yes, God does ask us to tithe. This is how we support our individual local churches. God may ask you to support an evangelist, or a missionary, or some other ministry in addition to your local church. And he will baless you; but not necessarily financially. Besides, we don’t give in order to get. That’s not God’s plan.

Yes, there are biblical principles that should guide how we handle ALL of our resources, including money. But please, don’t fall for the lies of those who proclaim a prosperity gospel. Too many people are sending their resources, resources that they need, to charlatans who promise things that are nowhere in the Bible.

Sadly, these charlatans bear no resemblance to the local church. Most churches are small, and most pastors have a very small income. And the homes most pastors live in are quite modest, especially if provided by the church. Many pastors are working two or three jobs. So please, support your local church, and your pastor, first.

If God has blessed you financially, and is asking you to support anther ministry, then by all means, be obedient. There are many legitimate ministries who are serving people.

Thoughts on tithing

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

I don’t think I ever see myself preaching a lot on tithing. Why? Because I’ve never been good at practicing it. Truth be told, my money handling has not been the best over the years. And my tithing record, well, let’s just say that I owe God so much in back tithe that I’ll never catch up. Praise God that my salvation isn’t based on my tithing. 

So why bother then? Because our tithes are how the church pays it’s bills, so that we can sit in an air conditioned sanctuary in the heat of the summer, and in a warm sanctuary during the cold winter months. Tithes and offerings are what makes the various ministries of the local church possible. They also are used to help your church reach out to the community. And, because we are commanded in scripture to tithe. If we want to be legalistic, and follow the levitical law, then ten percent is actually the bare minimum. Then there are even more tithes and offerings on top of that. I use to feel like I just couldn’t keep up. Besides, I just don’t have enough money to tithe. That was my attitude for years. It was like saying, “God, I need to pay everybody else first. Then, if there’s anything left over, I’ll pay you.”

Again, then why bother? Why am I even talking about it? Because, I’m learning something new. And as I’ve been trying to put it into practice I can honestly see where God is truly working. Ten years ago I began to try to tithe faithfully. I didn’t start out at ten percent.I started with just trying to do a couple dollars out of each check. Then I slowly worked up to five percent, of net; then ten percent, of net. Then I stepped out and moved to ten percent of my gross pay. And God has blessed those efforts.

Now, I’m still not rich. God hasn’t just rained money down on me. But He has made sure my needs are met. I remember talking with an older pastor once about tithing. The first church he pastored only paid him $100 a week. He said that he and his wife tried to live on that $100, and there just wasn’t enough money. But when they tithed ten dollars, the ninety dollars left was somehow just enough. I’m finding that same principle works for me. I can’t fully explain it. But I do know this, when I give God what he asks for first, somehow, I’m able to budget the rest just a little bit better. 

Now, I’m no super saint. There are times I still struggle to pay my tithe; especially when the pay check is smaller than I expected. And, I even have to admit that there have been times I held back. But God brings me back around, gets me back on track and we move on.

Something that has helped me is how I view tithing. I use to see tithing as a duty. Now, I see it as a privilege. And those weeks that I see bigger pay checks, I no longer thinking “I have to tithe more.” Now, it’s “I get to tithe more.”

If you are not in the habit of tithing, I challenge you to begin. Now, some may not agree with my next suggestion, but baby steps are better than none at all. If you are just starting out tithing, I don’t think it has to be ten percent. Unless that’s how you feel God is leading you. (In that case, listen to God.) But if you’re just starting out tithing, start small. I promise that you will see God working in your finances, and eventually He’ll challenge you to increase your tithe.

And if you have no income, then tithe your time. Also, use your talents. One of the best testimonies I heard was from a young lady who is a single mom with no job. She wanted to tithe something. She likes making special chocolate dipped strawberries. She got orders for chocolate covered strawberries, and turned her skill into income. She was so excited to be able to tithe. The excitement she had was priceless.

So, what’s your attitude toward tithing? You might think that you can’t afford to tithe. I can honestly say that based on my experience, you can’t afford not to tithe. Do you see tithing as simply another obligation, or bill, that has to be paid? Or do you see it as an opportunity to give, and be a part of helping to build God’s kingdom? Who really comes first, God, or the bills, or you? It sounds so cliché, but more and more I see is true, you can’t out give God.

So, step out on faith. Take baby steps if you have to. But take the challenge. I dare you.