THE WEDNESDAY WORD

at Union AME Church, Warwick, NY

Christian Stewardship Includes Tithing

Rev. Raquel S. Lettsome, Ph.D.
May 6, 2015

Key Considerations:
God is the OwnerPsalm 24:1
Humans have delegated authorityGen. 1: 28
What has been given is an interim possessionJob 1: 20-21
We will be held accountableMatthew 25: 14- 30; II Cor. 5: 10
The Tithe and Ones Relationship with God
We tithe in obedience to God
It reflects our love for God because there is no love without obedience
Jesus tells his disciples, If you love my, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)
Robbing God in tithes and offerings (8)
Tithe10% of gross income from all sources; the minimum of all giving
Offeringsthat which is given in addition to tithes
Robbing God when do not give in accordance to His word or His Spirit
Can rob God of BOTH the tithe and/or an offering
Robbing vs. Stealing
Robbingblatant, bold with the defrauded partys knowledge of wrongdoing
Stealinghidden, by stealth, undercover with identity concealed
Cursed with a curse (9)
Curse as opposite of a blessing (Deut. 28)
Cursed because do not receive the fullness God offers
Outside hedge of protection therefore we are vulnerable to Satans attacks
whole nation
Not only individuals under the curse but the whole nation
Corporate nature of their sin
Danger of cheap leadership
Bringing the full tithe (10)
The solution to the problem
What to bring
The full tithe is off the gross, from all sources
Where to bring it
into the storehousehouse of God; where you eat
the tithe does not go to charities or good causes, it is Gods money to be
given as God has designated
Why we bring it
food in my houseall that is necessary to do ministry
to fulfill the purpose of the house
OTtithe is both religious and governmental system
Under a sacrificial system, worship required meat, grain, oil, and finances
2015 Raquel S. Lettsome Ministries

In this age, it requires $$

Money is needed to purchase and pay for the basics of ministry
Ministry is not free
Gods house is a storehouse to do ministry NOT a savings and loan
We do not borrow or withdraw what has been given
It is Gods money, not ours on reserve
In difficult times, see below
and thus put me to the test (10)
Insurance policy
God promises to come through and honor his Word ion the way that God chooses to do it
We do not predetermine how it will be done
see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you overflowing blessing (10)
Cannot determine what the blessings will look like
May be financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.
Blessings in the Old Testament included but were not limited to prosperity, fertility, protection and
peace
Promise of protection and productivity (11)
Rebuke the locust/devourer
Do more with 90% than with 100% because the locust has access to the 100% but the
90% is protected
Devourer often destroying home, finances, bodies because under a curse
Outside Gods protection
Cannot get out of debt robbing God
Live within ones means and trust God with the gap
Fields not barren
Productivity; a harvest to come
That which we do in obedience will prosper
Then all nations will count you happy (12)
If/ then
Contingent upon our obedience
Often want the blessing without the obedience
Some things through grace
Some things through mercy
Some things only through obedience
Others will see Gods blessings and favor in our life
We will be a witness to the goodness, faithfulness and provision of God
Often shame God with our finances
Lazy, slipshod, irresponsible, not good stewards
Not honorable with our money
Cheating creditors
Robbing childrens future & Robbing God
Tithe gets us on the road to financial freedom
We are forced to inventory of what we bring in
We are dependent and accountable to God rather than humans

2015 Raquel S. Lettsome Ministries