Giving
Commitment through Finances
WHY WE TITHE AT CORNERSTONE
The foundation and essence of the Christian life is to follow Jesus with all that we are and hold nothing back. To be a disciple means that my financial life will be inseparably connected to my worship. To be a lover of God is to be a giver; to be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the very essence of our generous God. In other words, when we get saved our wallets must be converted as well!
Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)
When we give God our lives it also includes our treasure (our time, talent and money). According to Jesus, the places and people we give our treasure to are the keepers of our heart and the objects of our affection.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
TITHING:
Tithing is the practical and consistent way that we put God first in our lives and develop healthy spiritual habits. If I say, “Jesus You are my Lord and God; You are first in my life,” and then put Him last in my budget, that’s a contradiction that cannot be justified in light of scripture. Tithing is the tangible way that we put God first in our lives and clearly establish our priorities and who we are serving.
The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.
“Bring this tithe to eat before the Lord your God at the place he shall choose as his sanctuary; this applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn of your flocks and herds.”
Deuteronomy 14:23 (LB)
So simply put, for every $10 I earn or receive, the first dollar belongs to the Lord. Here is the most famous verse used to teach and support the principle of tithing, and can be heard in most churches on a regular basis.
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. “If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’tt have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
Malachi 3:10 (NLT)