Are we living for the pleasures of today, or are we investing our lives in more eternal things?

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,” (Psalm 24:1, ESV)

Whatever God makes, He owns.

Whatever we own, we own as stewards on loan from God.

“Steward” is a word from ancient culture used to describe a person who was not the owner of a house. He was a hired hand who managed the owners’ house affairs and was responsible to allocate the resources of the home.

God giving humankind the gift of stewardship began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

God gave them full dominion over the entire creation.

Every time we use a resource, it reveals something about our stewardship.

Biblical stewardship centers around the tithe.

“Tithe” first appears in the Old Testament. The basic principle is that every person should return 1/10 of his or her increase to the Lord on an annual basis.

In giving a tithe, we are returning back a portion that is already designated as God’s.

Giving God a 1/10 of our income does not deny that all our money is God’s. Instead, it proves that we truly believe it is all His.

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:8–10, ESV)

3 Important Takeaways in relation to His children and giving:

1. Words of condemnation (v. 8)

In this passage, God says, when we do not tithe, we aren’t robbing the church, the ministers, or the missionaries. God says we are God Himself.

We are robbing God by not tithing, not because it bankrupts God, but because it denies God the glory and honor due to Him and it fails to support God’s ordained means for the support of His work and ministries.

2. A test for His people (v. 10)

“…And thereby put me to the test…” (Malachi 3:10b)

God will never come up short on a promise.

3. A promise of blessing (v. 10)

“…if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:10b, ESV)

“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” (Luke 6:38a, ESV)

“To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting,” (Numbers 18:21)

Today, under the new covenant, the tithe continues to support the work of building up people in the truth of God’s Word and reaching sinners with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“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.” (Matthew 23:23, ESV)

4 benefits, found in Scripture, to giving back to God:

1. Giving back to God is the greatest investment you can make.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

The most important investment we can ever make is in the Kingdom of God because it has eternal rewards.

If you want to know how serious you are about investing in God’s Kingdom, there is an easy way to discover this:

Go online and look at your bank account. This may be the most objective, concrete record of where your treasure, and your heart reside.

2. Giving back to God is a cure for greed.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”” (Luke 12:15, ESV)

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have”” (Hebrews 13:5a, ESV)

Contentment: the ability to be completely happy and satisfied, no matter your circumstances.

We have to fight against the urge to covet after things every day.

God has provided the antidote—giving!

The test is this: What do you desire more?

10% more earthly possessions or the advancement of His Kingdom?

3. Giving back to God changes our perspective.

“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. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6–8, ESV)

The one who gives to God generously, will be rewarded by God blessing them generously.

At the same time, those who hold back selfishly, Jesus says, they will forfeit their gain.

God supplies those who give back to Him, so they will have an abundance for every good work (v. 8).

God loves constantly replenishing what you give to Him, so that the cycle of giving and ministering to others can continue.

4. Giving back to God proves and strengthens our faith in Him.

Once we learn that He can provide for us more on 90% of what we have than what we can provide for ourselves with 100%, it increases our faith, trust, and dependence on Him.

Then, we have the foundation of trusting Him during other trials in our life.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Giving/stewardship is discipleship.

Giving proves where your treasure and heart lie.

Giving a tithe is God’s physical, tangible tool to teach us to trust and honor Him— to acknowledge that His laws do work and they cannot fail.