Confronting Sin and Tithing: A Call to Obedience

Today, we gathered to confront two topics that have become almost forbidden in many modern churches: sin and tithing. These are not outdated relics, but foundational truths that the body of Christ desperately needs to revisit. The avoidance of these subjects is not because they lack relevance, but because they bring conviction and demand a response—a call to repentance and a call to obedience. In a culture where comfort and popularity often take precedence, the church must resist the temptation to dilute the gospel for the sake of filling seats or appeasing cultural trends.

Sin, at its core, is not a mere mistake or an accidental misstep. It is a deliberate, conscious choice to violate God’s standards. The prophet Ezekiel was called to confront the sins of his generation, not to win popularity, but to awaken a people who had lost their reverence for what is holy. The same spirit of compromise that plagued ancient Israel is alive today, as many leaders shy away from preaching about sin, fearing it will offend or drive people away. Yet, it is only by facing the reality of sin that we can experience the freedom and transformation that Christ offers. The truth may be uncomfortable, but it is essential for genuine spiritual growth.

The second taboo is tithing—a principle that has been twisted, ignored, or outright rejected in many pulpits. Tithing is not about enriching pastors or building empires; it is a spiritual discipline rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, designed to honor God and sustain His work. Jesus Himself affirmed the tithe, not as a legalistic requirement, but as a practice that should flow from a heart of justice, mercy, and faith. The misuse of church finances by some has made this topic even more controversial, but the abuse of a principle does not negate its truth. When we give, we participate in God’s provision for His house and for one another, and we align our hearts with His priorities.

Both sin and tithing are deeply spiritual matters that reveal the posture of our hearts. To ignore them is to rob ourselves of the fullness of God’s blessing and the power of His transforming grace. The church must reclaim the courage to teach the whole counsel of God, even when it is unpopular, so that we may be a people marked by conviction, generosity, and true holiness.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sin is not a mistake but a willful act of disobedience against God’s standards. Recognizing the difference is crucial, because only when we acknowledge our sin can we truly repent and experience the freedom Christ offers. Avoiding the topic of sin leads to spiritual shallowness and a lack of transformation in the church. [01:52]
• 2. The call to confront sin is not about condemnation, but about restoration. Like Ezekiel, we are called to be watchmen who sound the alarm, not to shame, but to awaken hearts to the reality of God’s holiness and the need for repentance. True love for God’s people means telling the hard truths that lead to life. [03:12]
• 3. Tithing is a spiritual discipline that predates the law and is affirmed by Jesus. It is not merely a financial transaction, but an act of worship and trust, acknowledging that all we have belongs to God. When we tithe, we participate in God’s provision for His house and align our hearts with His kingdom. [20:52]
• 4. The heart posture behind giving matters more than the amount. God loves a cheerful giver, and our generosity should flow from gratitude and faith, not from compulsion or fear. When we give with the right heart, we open ourselves to God’s blessing and become partners in His work on earth. [42:10]
• 5. The church must resist the pressure to exchange conviction for comfort and sanctification for sensation. If leaders will not preach the whole truth, the people will not live it. We are called to uphold the full counsel of God, even when it is unpopular, so that the church remains a place of transformation, not just inspiration. [49:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:52] - Defining Sin: Missing the Mark
• [03:12] - The Need for Conviction in the Church
• [06:10] - Ezekiel’s Context and Calling
• [08:19] - The Modern Church’s Avoidance of Sin
• [10:23] - The Four Ps: Prophets, Princes, People, Priests
• [12:18] - Media’s Influence and the Need for Truth
• [14:09] - Shallow Christianity and the Cost of Avoidance
• [16:21] - The Power of Preaching Against Sin
• [20:14] - The Second Taboo: Tithing
• [20:52] - Tithing: A Biblical Principle
• [24:13] - Jesus’ Teaching on Tithing
• [26:19] - The Heart of Giving and Spiritual Discipline
• [28:26] - Tithing Before the Law: Abraham’s Example
• [31:05] - Stewardship and the Pastor’s Heart
• [32:19] - Offense and the Challenge of Preaching on Giving
• [37:37] - The Practical Impact of Tithes and Offerings
• [42:10] - Giving with Purpose and Cheerfulness
• [45:43] - God’s Provision Through Generosity
• [46:57] - Special Seed and Church Testimony
• [49:32] - Facing Financial Challenges with Faith
• [50:43] - The Importance of Teaching the Whole Truth
• [53:00] - Closing and Call to Stand for Truth

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 22:26 (ESV) — > "Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them."

Matthew 23:23 (ESV) — > "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV) — > "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Observation Questions

1. In Ezekiel 22:26, what specific failures does God accuse the priests of, and how does this relate to the spiritual condition of the people?
2. According to Matthew 23:23, what does Jesus say the Pharisees are doing right, and what are they neglecting?
3. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, what is the connection between the way we give and what we receive?
4. The sermon described sin as a “deliberate, conscious choice that violates God’s standards.” How is this different from a simple mistake? [[01:52]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God is so concerned that the priests in Ezekiel’s day failed to teach the difference between what is holy and what is not? What impact does this have on a community? [[03:12]]
2. Jesus says, “These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” What does this reveal about the balance between outward religious practices (like tithing) and inward heart attitudes (like justice, mercy, and faith)? [[24:13]]
3. The sermon mentioned that tithing is not just a financial transaction but a spiritual discipline and act of worship. How does this perspective change the way we view giving? [[20:52]]
4. The pastor said that avoiding the topic of sin leads to “spiritual shallowness and a lack of transformation in the church.” What are some signs that a church or individual might be experiencing this kind of spiritual shallowness? [[16:21]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to recognize sin as a willful act, not just a mistake. Is there an area in your life where you have been excusing sin as a mistake? What would it look like to honestly acknowledge and repent of it this week? [[01:52]]
2. Ezekiel was called to confront sin, not to shame people, but to awaken them to God’s holiness. Is there someone in your life who needs a loving but honest conversation about sin? How can you approach them with both truth and grace? [[03:12]]
3. The pastor shared that many churches avoid talking about sin and tithing to avoid offending people or losing members. Have you ever felt uncomfortable or challenged by a sermon? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[08:19]]
4. Jesus affirmed tithing but emphasized the importance of justice, mercy, and faith. When you give, do you do it out of obligation, habit, or genuine worship? How can you align your giving more closely with God’s heart? [[24:13]]
5. The sermon described tithing as a spiritual discipline that helps align our hearts with God’s priorities. If you do not currently tithe, what are the obstacles or fears that hold you back? If you do tithe, how has it impacted your faith and trust in God? [[20:52]]
6. The pastor mentioned that the heart posture behind giving matters more than the amount. Think about your most recent act of generosity (financial or otherwise). Was your heart cheerful, reluctant, or something else? What would it look like to give cheerfully this week? [[42:10]]
7. The church was encouraged to resist the temptation to “exchange conviction for comfort.” Are there areas in your spiritual life where you have chosen comfort over conviction? What is one step you can take this week to pursue deeper holiness, even if it’s uncomfortable? [[49:32]]