BIBLE PLAN FOR THE SUPPORT OF GOD’S WORK

Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work The 16th study in the series. Studies written by William Carey. Presentation by Michael Salzman. All texts are from the New King James version. All rights reserved.

1SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work There is only one right plan of church finance, and that is the plan of tithes and freewill offerings as laid down in the Bible.

1SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Who gives us wealth? Deuteronomy 8:18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

1SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work We are to remember God in both earning and spending our money, for we are able to earn our money only as God gives us strength, breath, and life to work from day to day.

2SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work What percentage of our income is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30,32 tithe It is holy unto the LORD ‘And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy unto the LORD.

2SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work the tithe tenth one shall be holy unto the LORD 32- ‘And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, or whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy unto the LORD.

2SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work ALL the TITHE is the LORD’s, and it is HOLY unto the Lord. Verse 32 says that this tithe is the TENTH PART, which is holy unto the Lord. This means that one tenth of all the money we earn is the Lord’s tithe. This one tenth is not ours, it is the Lord’s – it is holy unto the Lord.

2SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work This one tenth is God’s holy portion of our money income, just as the seventh day of each week is the Lord’s holy portion of our time. In order to obey His commandments, we are to render this tenth of our money to the Lord as tithe for the support of His work, just as we are to render to Him the seventh day of each week as the Lord’s Day.

3SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work How much of the earth is the Lord’s? Palms 24:1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

3SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Everything in this world belongs to God. All the gold and silver is the Lord’s, Haggai 2:8. Each one of us, with all that we are and have, is the Lord’s. Since He owns us, the world, and all that is in it, then most certainly He has a right to ask rent. One tenth, therefore, is due Him for the use of His goods, for the breath, strength, and life that He gives us, that we may earn money day to day.

4SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work To what purpose is the tithe to be used? Numbers 18:20,21 I am your portion and your inheritance Then the LORD said to Aaron: “You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.

4SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work tithes in Israel as an inheritance 21- “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

4SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work God has decreed that this one tenth or tithe is to be used as a living or support of His ministers. No one has any right to use the tithe for helping the poor or the sick, etc. We should help them out of our nine tenths after the Lord’s tithe has been taken out. The tithe is the Lord’s, and He is the only one who has the right to say how the tenth shall be used.

5SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work What does the New Testament say about how the ministry should be supported? I Corinthians 9:13,14 holy thingsof the temple Do ye not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

5SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work 14- Even so hath the Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

5SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work God has ordained that they who preach His Word shall be supported by the tithe of the income of those who accept His Word, in the same way as the Levites under the Mosaic system were supported.

6SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work What did Jesus say about tithe? Matthew 23:23 tithe the others “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

6SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work The Pharisees were very strict in their payment of tithe, but they were lax in their observance of weightier matters: showing justice and mercy, and faith. Jesus said that they OUGHT to pay tithe, but they should not leave these other things undone. So this means that Jesus Christ indorsed tithe paying as a part of the duty of every person.

7SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work How much freewill offerings should we give? Deuteronomy 16:17 “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

7SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work In addition to rendering to God the tenth as His special holy part of our income, we should give freewill offerings from the nine tenths, as we are able.

8SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work When should the tithe be paid? Proverbs 3:9,10 firstfruits Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10- So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

8SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work God’s part should be taken out FIRST. Note in verse 10 how those will be blessed who will thus put God first.

9SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Can we steal from God? Malachi 3:8 tithes “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

9SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Those who do not render the tenth of their income to the Lord, and offerings as they are able, are guilty of robbing God, and transgressing the eighth commandment, which says, “Thou shalt not steal”. No thief or robber who persists in stealing will ever get to heaven, 1 Cor. 6:9,10.

10SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work What happens if you pay tithe? Malachi 3:9-10 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. all the tithes 10- Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me in this,” Says the LORD of hosts,

10SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such a blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

10SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Nine tenths with God’s blessing is better than ten tenths with out a blessing.

11SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Those who are faithful receive what? Luke 16:10-12 “He who is faithful in what is lease is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

11SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work 11- “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12- “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who wiil give you what which is your own?

11SW Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work If we are faithful in rendering to God His part of our goods in this world, He will give us true and everlasting riches in His better world in the future.

Bible Plan for the Support of God’s Work Will you test God’s financial plan and watch him pour out His heavenly blessings upon you? The End