Monthly Archives: July 2022

Faith Promise Giving Is Biblical

Sunday Morning Sermons

Faith Promise Giving is Biblical

Pastor Don Carpenter

Giving 101 / 2 Corinthians 9:1–8

Matthew 9:28–29 KJV

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 KJV

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

When we let go of money, we are letting go of part of ourselves and part of our security. But this is precisely why it is important to do it. It is one way to obey Jesus’ command to deny ourselves.… When we give money, we are releasing a little more of our egocentric selves and a little more of our false security.… Giving frees us to care. It produces an air of expectancy as we anticipate what God will lead us to give. It makes life with God an adventure in the world, and that is worth living for and giving for.

Richard J. Foster, quoted in “Reflections,” Christianity Today (6-12-00)

You have heard the term “Faith Promise Missions” from time to time. This evening we are going to explain exactly what we mean by that, where we get it in the Bible, and why giving sacrificially to Faith Promise will help to protect and increase your financial ability to serve God. The blind came to Jesus and He told them that the blessings that they would receive would be in direct proportion to their faith in Him. I believe that this same principle applies to our finances. God blesses us according to our faith, this is the premise of faith promise giving.

Faith Promise Giving is not Tithing

A. Tithing was done before the Law and commanded by Jesus, therefore it was not done away with after Calvary.

Genesis 14:20

Genesis 28:21-22

Matthew 23:23

B. Specific directions and promises correspond with tithing.

Malachi 3:8–11 KJV

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation. 

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

1. A Tithe is 10%

2. To withhold a tithe is to rob God.

3. To withhold a tithe is to bring a curse on your finances.

4. To obey God and give tithes brings God’s blessings.

5. Tithes Go into God’s house.

6. Offerings are something given that is different than tithes.

7. The Church is God’s house this side of Calvary.

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Faith Promise Giving Supports works Outside the Local Church.

The Church of Macedonia gave in spite of their poverty to support Paul and the other missionaries with him.

2 Corinthians 8:1–4 KJV

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

1. They were very poor

2. They were sacrificially giving to mission support.

3. Their gift was a way to join in fellowship with the missionaries.

Paul uses the Church of Macedonia to encourage the Corinthian church to continue the same practice.

2 Corinthians 9:1–5 KJV

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 

Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

1. Paul is encouraged by the openness to missionary giving.

2. Compliance by the Corinthian Church had a direct effect on their testimony in the region.

Faith Promise Giving taps directly into the Promises of God.

You reap as you sow

2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Philippians 4:15–17 KJV

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Matthew 9:29 KJV

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

This giving is not tithing because the individual determines the amount that you give.

 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)

 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

*** This is the very act of faith promise giving***

***Have you purposed to give above the tithe?***

***Should you adjust that faith promise now?***

God will increase His grace toward those that need it.

2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Eternal souls are impacted by your faith or lack of it.

Romans 10:13–17 KJV

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1. To call upon the Lord, one must believe.

2. To believe, one must hear.

3. To hear, there must be a preacher.

4. To have a preacher, he must be sent.

5. Some missionaries will be hindered if we fail to meet our financial commitments.

6. There are many more mission fields that are waiting for preachers.

7. We need to send more missionaries, not just maintain the ones we have.

8. What are you willing to do regarding this need?

9. God will directly bless you according to your faith.

Leadership Magazine carried a story about four young men, Bible College students, who were renting a house together. One Saturday morning someone knocked on their door. And when they opened it, there stood this bedraggled-looking old man. His eyes were kind of marble-ized, and he had a silvery stub of whiskers on his face. His clothes were ragged and torn. His shoes didn’t match. In fact, they were both for the same foot. And he carried a wicker basket full of unappealing vegetables that he was trying to sell.

The boys felt sorry for him and bought some of his vegetables just to help him out. Then he went on his way. But from that time on, every Saturday he appeared at their door with his basket of vegetables. As the boys got to know him a little bit better, they began inviting him in to visit a while before continuing on his rounds.

They soon discovered that his eyes looked marble-ized not because of drugs or alcohol, but because of cataracts. They learned that he lived just down the street in an old shack. They also found out that he could play the harmonica, that he loved to play Christian hymns, and that he really loved God. So every Saturday they would invite him in, and he would play his harmonica and they would sing Christian hymns together.

They became good friends, and the boys began trying to figure out ways to help him. They finally collected a bunch of clothes and secretly left it all on his doorstep, no note attached or anything. The following Saturday morning, the story says, right in the middle of all their singing and praising, he suddenly said to them, “God is so good!” And they all agreed, “Yes, God is so good.”

He went on, “You know why he is so good?” They said, “Why?”

He said, “Because yesterday, when I got up and opened my door, there were boxes full of clothes and shoes and coats and gloves. Yes, God is so good!” And the boys smiled at each other and chimed in, “Yes, God is so good.”

He went on, “You know why He is so good?” They answered, “You already told us why. What more?” He said, “Because I found a family who could use those things and I gave them all away.”

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 KJV

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

By faith, what are you willing to promise to give above the tithe to meet the tremendous needs on the mission field?  

 Matthew 9:29 (KJV)

 …According to your faith be it unto you.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:43 AM July 27, 2022.

Tithing or Tipping?

Uncategorized

Tithing or Tipping

Pastor Don Carpenter

Giving 101 / Malachi 3:8–12

Once upon a time, last week, I picked up my son after football and he was hungry. So he and I stop at Burger King to pick up a snack. Well I bought for my son two of his basic food groups, Chicken Nuggets and French Fries. After going through the drive through, tossing in the bag of food in front seat of the car, I then do what any good Dad would do, I reach over to the bag with the food to grab a couple of fries, just to taste. With my son’s lightning quick reaction, he reaches over and slaps my hand and says, “Don’t touch my French Fries.”

I’m thinking that my son is being just a little bit selfish and stingy. I know who bought the French Fries and I’m really the true owner of the fries. I know also that my son belongs to me. I could get angry and never buy him any more French Fries to teach him a lesson, or I could “cover him in more French Fries than he could ever hope to eat.” Both options are well within my power to do. So I’m thinking, “Why is my child so selfish, I have given him a whole package of French Fries; I just want one French Fry…

Isn’t that the way we tend to be with all our things and with all our money and all our possessions? God owns it all, but we begrudging will give up only a French Fry or two, just so He will continue to bless us.

The American way is to say “I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps,” and “I worked hard for all I have.” Do we realize it is God who gives, it is God who gives the opportunity and ability to work. It is God who ultimately owns all that we have and all that we are.

This morning we start a new series “Giving 101”. In this three week series we will explore what tithing is and why it still applies to believers today. Next we will discover the Biblical concept of faith promise giving. Finally we will look at the responsibility of alms giving.

Giving Americans donate $295 billion a year to charity, with just under a third of it ($97 bn.) to religious organizations. On average, Christians are giving about 2.5% of their income to churches.

(CBS News 3/5/08)

It is easy to wring our hands when considering the increase of gas and oil prices. It is easy to look at the numbers in the bulletin that fall short every month and hope that the board does something to make it all ok. This morning we are going to look at our personal responsibility to make sure that we are doing at least the minimum of what God requires.

I have a hypothetical question for the members of Evangelical Baptist Church. If your giving were made a matter of public record, I imagine you would be upset, as would I. But, the real question is why would you be upset? Some would be bothered because their generosity is best shown in private between them and God. Others would be upset because then their sin of not tithing would be publicly known. I have a news flash for everyone. God knows who is tithing and who is not tithing right now. He has promised to reward accordingly.

This morning we are going to review this subject. Did you know that if you give money in the plate when it comes by, that is not necessarily tithing? Did you know that if you give money to a ministry other than your local church that is not tithing? Did you know that if you make $ 400.00 in a week and put a five dollar bill in the plate, you are not tithing, but you are tipping? This morning, please listen to some truth that just may help you get great blessing upon you and your family. Let us learn the difference between tithing and tipping.

Why tithe? Because tithing is mentioned throughout the entire Bible

Tithe = maasar = tenth part

A. Abraham tithed

Genesis 14:20 KJV

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

B. It is commanded in the Law

Leviticus 27:30–34 KJV

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD. 

And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. 

And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. 

He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. 

These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.

C. It is a sign of honor

Proverbs 3:9–10 KJV

Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

D. It is a sign of revival

2 Chronicles 31:1-6,12

E. It is a sign of restoration

Nehemiah 10:37-38 

F. Jesus commanded tithing

Matthew 23:23 KJV

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Why tithe? Because of the severity of the sin of not tithing

A. Not tithing is robbing God

Malachi 3:8 KJV

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Notice God’s Word does not say you are “stealing”, but “robbing” The following are dictionary definitions of the two terms:

1. Steal = “to take or appropriate (another’s property, ideas, etc) without permissions, dishonestly, or unlawfully, especially in a secret or surreptitious manner”

2. Rob = “to take personal property, money, etc from unlawfully by using or threatening force and violence”

B. Not tithing brings a curse

Malachi 3:9 KJV

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation.

1. Curse = “a pronouncement of judgment on those who break covenant” “The revelation of God’s justice in support of His claim to absolute obedience.” – Vine

2. Does not come without a reason – because if you do not tithe, it is like you have a gun to God’s head

Proverbs 26:2 KJV

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, So the curse causeless shall not come.

3. Disagreement with the church or pastor does not remove your responsibility to tithe.

4. Disagreement with the church or pastor does not protect you from the curse that comes from robbing God.

C. Sacrificial giving only is not tithing

1. Tithing is giving the tenth part – automatically

Leviticus 27:30-34 

2. It is a matter of obedience

Why tithe? Because of the extent of God’s blessings

Malachi 3:10–12 KJV

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 

And all nations shall call you blessed: For ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

A. Meat in the house of God

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

B. Windows of Heaven opened – God dares you to prove Him!

C. Not enough room to receive the blessings

D. The devourer will be rebuked

The story is told of a family in church that run a family farm, and they don’t have health insurance. The wife began having heart problems, and had to be hospitalized as well as several trips to the emergency room. The medical bills totaled as much as their yearly income. However, they paid their tithe, and paid the bills one at a time as they came in. At the end of the year they were all paid. They discovered God had doubled their farm income from the previous year.

Tithing is a specific kind of giving. It is something that is a set number. 10% is not ours. It already belongs to God. To mess with that is a very serious offence. Thank God for His grace. Let us not take advantage by tipping when we should be tithing.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:27 PM July 13, 2022.