Faithful Stewardship: Commitment, Tithing, and Generosity

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we delved into the book of Nehemiah, focusing on the binding agreement made by God's people as they returned to Jerusalem. This agreement was a profound commitment to align their lives with God's word, as revealed through Ezra. They pledged to avoid intermarrying with surrounding peoples and to honor the Sabbath by refraining from commerce on holy days. More importantly, they committed to taking responsibility for the house of God, ensuring its upkeep and the continuation of its ministries.

The heart of our discussion centered on the concept of tithing, a practice deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The people of Nehemiah's time understood tithing as a tangible expression of their faithfulness, giving a tenth of their resources to support the Levites and the temple. This act was not merely about fulfilling a religious obligation but was a declaration of trust in God's provision. It was a reminder that everything they possessed was a gift from God, and their giving was a way to honor Him with their first fruits.

In today's context, while the New Testament does not explicitly command tithing, it emphasizes the importance of generosity and stewardship. Jesus spoke extensively about money, highlighting its potential to distract us from our spiritual priorities. The challenge for us is to view our resources as tools for God's kingdom, not as ends in themselves. Our giving should reflect our gratitude for God's blessings and our commitment to His work.

As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our faithfulness in giving is not about meeting a minimum requirement but about participating in God's mission. It's about being part of a community that supports one another and advances the gospel. Whether we give 10%, 15%, or more, the focus should be on our heart's posture towards God and His purposes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Commitment to God's Word: The people of Nehemiah's time made a binding agreement to follow God's word, demonstrating their commitment to live according to His will. This serves as a reminder for us to continually align our lives with Scripture, allowing it to guide our decisions and actions. [27:12]

2. Understanding Tithing: Tithing in the Old Testament was a clear expression of faithfulness, where God's people gave a tenth of their resources. Today, while the New Testament doesn't mandate tithing, it calls us to be generous stewards, recognizing that all we have is from God. [33:41]

3. Generosity Beyond Obligation: Our giving should not be limited to a specific percentage but should reflect our gratitude and trust in God's provision. It's an opportunity to participate in His work and to support the community of believers. [36:00]

4. The Danger of Negligence: Ignorance is not knowing, but negligence is knowing and choosing not to act. We are called to be diligent in our faithfulness, ensuring that we do not neglect the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. [38:45]

5. Faithfulness in All Seasons: Whether in abundance or scarcity, our faithfulness in giving is a testament to our trust in God. It's about prioritizing His kingdom and being part of a community that seeks to glorify Him through our resources. [46:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Opening Prayer
- [02:00] - Introduction to Nehemiah
- [05:30] - The Binding Agreement
- [10:15] - Commitment to God's Word
- [15:00] - Understanding Tithing
- [20:45] - Generosity Beyond Obligation
- [25:30] - The Danger of Negligence
- [30:00] - Faithfulness in All Seasons
- [35:00] - New Testament Perspective
- [40:00] - Jesus' Teachings on Money
- [45:00] - Practical Steps in Giving
- [50:00] - Community Impact
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Communion
- [59:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Nehemiah 10:28-39
2. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific commitments did the people of Nehemiah's time make in their binding agreement? How did these commitments reflect their dedication to God's word? [27:12]

2. According to the sermon, what was the significance of tithing in the Old Testament, and how was it practiced by the people of Nehemiah's time? [33:41]

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between ignorance and negligence in the context of faithfulness? [38:45]

4. What does the sermon say about the New Testament's perspective on tithing and generosity? How does it differ from the Old Testament's approach? [40:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the binding agreement in Nehemiah 10 serve as a model for modern believers in terms of commitment to God's word and community responsibilities? [27:12]

2. How does the concept of giving the "first fruits" challenge contemporary views on ownership and stewardship of resources? [31:45]

3. What are the potential dangers of negligence in one's spiritual life, as highlighted in the sermon? How can believers guard against this? [38:45]

4. How does the sermon suggest believers should approach the topic of money and generosity in light of Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? [42:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current level of commitment to aligning your life with God's word. What specific steps can you take to deepen this commitment in your daily life? [27:12]

2. Consider your current approach to giving and stewardship. How does it reflect your trust in God's provision? Are there areas where you feel called to increase your generosity? [33:41]

3. How do you currently view your resources and possessions? In what ways can you shift your perspective to see them as tools for God's kingdom rather than ends in themselves? [31:45]

4. Identify an area in your life where you might be negligent in your faithfulness. What practical steps can you take to address this and ensure you are fulfilling your responsibilities to God and your community? [38:45]

5. How can you cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude, as described in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, in a culture that often promotes accumulation and materialism? [42:52]

6. Reflect on a recent decision or action where you prioritized your own desires over God's purposes. How can you realign your priorities to better reflect your commitment to His work? [44:32]

7. Think about a specific way you can contribute to your church community, whether through financial giving, volunteering, or another form of support. How can you take a step towards this commitment this week? [52:17]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: Aligning Life with Scripture
The people of Nehemiah's time made a binding agreement to follow God's word, demonstrating their commitment to live according to His will. This serves as a reminder for us to continually align our lives with Scripture, allowing it to guide our decisions and actions. They pledged to avoid intermarrying with surrounding peoples and to honor the Sabbath by refraining from commerce on holy days. More importantly, they committed to taking responsibility for the house of God, ensuring its upkeep and the continuation of its ministries. This historical commitment challenges us to examine how we can integrate God's word into our daily lives, making it the foundation of our choices and actions. [27:12]

Nehemiah 10:29 (ESV): "Join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes."

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs realignment with God's word today, and what practical steps can you take to make this change?


Day 2: Faithfulness Expressed Through Tithing
Tithing in the Old Testament was a clear expression of faithfulness, where God's people gave a tenth of their resources. Today, while the New Testament doesn't mandate tithing, it calls us to be generous stewards, recognizing that all we have is from God. The act of tithing was not merely about fulfilling a religious obligation but was a declaration of trust in God's provision. It was a reminder that everything they possessed was a gift from God, and their giving was a way to honor Him with their first fruits. This historical practice invites us to reflect on how we view and use our resources in light of God's generosity. [33:41]

2 Chronicles 31:5 (ESV): "As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything."

Reflection: How can you express your trust in God's provision through your financial decisions this week?


Day 3: Generosity as a Heart Posture
Our giving should not be limited to a specific percentage but should reflect our gratitude and trust in God's provision. It's an opportunity to participate in His work and to support the community of believers. The challenge for us is to view our resources as tools for God's kingdom, not as ends in themselves. Our giving should reflect our gratitude for God's blessings and our commitment to His work. This perspective encourages us to examine the motivations behind our generosity and to ensure that our hearts are aligned with God's purposes. [36:00]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: What motivates your giving, and how can you cultivate a heart of cheerful generosity today?


Day 4: Diligence in Faithfulness
Ignorance is not knowing, but negligence is knowing and choosing not to act. We are called to be diligent in our faithfulness, ensuring that we do not neglect the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. This call to diligence challenges us to be proactive in our spiritual lives, taking intentional steps to fulfill our commitments to God and others. It reminds us that faithfulness is not passive but requires active engagement and responsibility. [38:45]

James 4:17 (ESV): "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Reflection: What responsibility have you been neglecting, and what immediate action can you take to address it?


Day 5: Trusting God in All Seasons
Whether in abundance or scarcity, our faithfulness in giving is a testament to our trust in God. It's about prioritizing His kingdom and being part of a community that seeks to glorify Him through our resources. This perspective encourages us to trust God regardless of our circumstances, recognizing that our faithfulness is a reflection of our reliance on Him. It challenges us to maintain a posture of trust and generosity, even when resources are limited. [46:22]

Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV): "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God more fully, and how can you demonstrate that trust through your actions today?

Quotes

We assume responsibility for bringing the house of the Lord each year, the first fruits of our crops and of every fruit tree, as it is written in the law, we will bring the first born of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there. Moreover, we will bring to the storehouse of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all of our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. [00:30:20] (33 seconds)


God's word recognizes for us that everything we have is given by God. It is already his. And so what we do is we give him our first fruits, but they're really just his that we give back to him as a sign of our commitment and our dedication to him. And he provides all the other things that we need in this world. That is the theology of understanding what God has given us. This is what possessions and treasures and money and resources look like. [00:32:01] (30 seconds)


And so here, right here and here in Nehemiah, we get a glimpse into the heart of the people. We'll take responsibility for the house of the Lord. We will take responsibility for bringing our first fruits to the Lord. And we will bring a tithe of 10 % for the storeroom of the treasury. Now this is a fundamental principle of the Old Testament. This is clear throughout the Old Testament over and over and over again that God's people were to bring a tithe, a 10th of all that they receive from God and present it to the Levites and to Aaron. [00:34:28] (40 seconds)


Self-serving means we're saying we're doing this for us. You're not doing this for me. This is a demonstration of our faithfulness. And so these people are saying, you know what, we're going to change the way we're living. We're going to change the way we're spending. We're going to change the way we do everything. And we are going to commit ourselves to being faithful and following this guiding principle of a 10th or a tithe to the Lord. [00:35:58] (23 seconds)


You see, the people at this time had begun neglecting the storehouse, the opportunities to be faithful and what God has blessed them with. And they were like, going their own way and doing their own thing. And they come back to this place that says there will not be negligence. Now here's how negligence works. Negligence is different than ignorance. Ignorance means you don't know any better. Since you're here today, you cannot plead ignorance. [00:37:42] (32 seconds)


Think about the ways in which God blesses his people in mighty and powerful and abundant ways. He has blessed us so much. And in response to his grace and his mercy, we give him our first fruits. In response to his love and the peace that surpasses all understanding, we make him a priority in this world. In response, to the abundance of provision and care that he provides for us, we respond with a 10 % tithe for the storerooms of his treasury. [00:39:38] (37 seconds)


We get an understanding here of how money can truly cause us to get knocked off. From our faith. And you know, those people, and maybe they're you who talk about money all the time, who are consumed with money all the time, who are worried about money all the time, who are always just watching and talking and, and everything is money, money, money, money, money. I want to cause you to pause for a moment because there's a warning here. [00:45:52] (30 seconds)


It is still a really good guiding principle of bringing this to the storehouse because what it does is, it enables us to be constantly reminded of God's provision for us. It's a reminder for us of how God actually provides more than we could ever possibly need. It also is a reminder for us that it is an opportunity to join with other brothers and sisters in a common goal of doing something in the kingdom to the glory of God. [00:48:30] (33 seconds)


I think this is an interesting conversation for this morning and one in which people can get a little weird about and feel convicted by or be angry with. And honestly, at this point in the message, I really saw two ways I could go. I could take the approach of just like browbeating the church and saying we need, but I don't think that's what God, in fact, I know that's not what God desires for the message this morning. Because this is not the message and this is not coming out of a compulsion. [00:50:08] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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