- Share your personal blessings when you learn to give to God.
- Ask them what they understand of tithing
TITHING
Mark 12:41-44
- Read the parable of giving and discuss
- We give because we love God and we want to honour Him
- God wants to see the proportion we are willing to give based on what we are given
Why do we give to God through the church we worship?
- We must realise that God is the owner of everything. He gives us material blessings so that we will be good stewards who will properly manage them.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 - Since everything comes from God, we give to the church for the benefits of His works.
Colossians 3:23 - Jesus instructed His believers to give.
Luke 6:38 - To show love to God and to tell Him that we trust Him
2 Corinthians 8:7 - It is a way to honour God
Proverbs 3:9-10 - It is an act of worship
Luke 21:1-4 - Giving helps us to have reverent fear towards the Lord
Deuteronomy 14:23 - It is a key to receive God’s prosperity and providence
Malachi 3:10
What should our attitudes be when we give?
- We give with a cheerful heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion
2 Corinthians 9:7 - A generous attitude
2 Corinthians 9:11 - With faith
2 Corinthians 8:3 - With a worshipful spirit
Romans 12:1-2 - We want to dedicate our lives to the Lord
2 Chronicles 31:4-6 - With a sacrificial spirit
2 Corinthians 8:2-4 - With willingness
2 Corinthians 8:4 - Giving faithfully
Acts 4:34
Reflection Station
Do I have peace and joy when I give unto the Lord? Have I made a resolution to tithe monthly?
– ask if they have struggles or remaining questions with tithing
– be understanding yet firm, do not compromise
– we give back 10% to Him and steward the rest
– it acknowledges Him as our giver and our dependence on Him
Some practical steps we can do:
- Draft a budget on our income. Set aside 10%, and spend/save the remaining 90%.
- Start now. Do not wait until we have more disposable income.
- Tithe regularly and systematically. Faithfulness is when we discipline ourselves to practise this all the time.
Mentor Chat
If I have given generously to charity, and I often buy things for my caregroup, can that be a substitute for tithing?
Other ways of giving are also important, but is not a substitute for tithing.
If I do not earn an income, do I tithe?
Tithe is a tenth of what we receive. The spirit is to honour God in whatever we have.
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25