23 Jan Why We Ask Leaders to Tithe

PURPOSE:   Jesus says our heart will be where our treasure is and that we can’t serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:21). He also says that when we are trusted with money we can be trusted with people. (Luke 16:10). How a person handles what God entrusts to them matters a great deal to God. More than supporting the ministry of the church (though that is important) it is opening ourselves to Jesus’ conforming our greed, materialism, need to possess and selfishness to the cross.  Therefore, when choosing leaders, we believe it is imperative that they are regular tithers. It is an important area of discipleship.  Here we give 4 examples of why this is so important.

1. Regular giving is a sign of spiritual maturity. Giving is not a complete measure but it is one measurement. Regular giving to the church is a sign that one understands the reign of God over finances.

2. Tithing, as (small group) leaders, ensures that we can talk with integrity and not hypocrisy. In other words, how do you facilitate a conversation on tithing, if you are not tithing?

3. Generous leaders will cultivate generosity church wide. We should be generous in our time, talent and treasure.

4. People are the treasure, as stated earlier in the reference to Luke 6:10. If we cannot be trusted in the money he has given us, then how are we to be trusted with the people he has given us?

If Jesus said where our treasure is, there our hearts will be, how can we ignore treasure in our efforts to touch and shape the heart into the likeness of Christ?