The Gospel - 24/7

FINANCE OF THE CHURCH, OR HOW THE FIRST CHURCH WAS FINANCED By the late Dr. B. F. Dearmore, Long a Leader Among Real, Bible Believing Direct Missions Independent Baptists, and Father of the Webmaster Copyright 2001 by James H. Dearmore, Garland, Texas Permission granted to print copy for own use.

Chapter 7

Some who oppose God's financial plan, say, "God provides." Certainly He does. But He has made a definite plan, and He teaches that plan from Genesis to Revelation.

I. That Plan Is Tithing, and giving of additional offerings, by God's people.

(A) Genesis 14:20 establishes the fact that tithing was before the "Law of Moses". In that reference we see that Jacob paid tithes. And then again in Genesis 28:22 we see that Jacob promises to give the tenth or "tithe" to God. Both these incidents were well before the Law of Moses.

(B) Leviticus 27:30 undoubtedly approves of tithing under the law.

(C) Hebrews 5:6 and 10 tells us that Christ is for ever a priest after the order of Melchisedec. Melchisedec was a tithe receiving priest.

In Matthew 23:23 Christ spoke His only words of approbation of the Scribes and Pharisees. Speaking of the Pharisee's giving of their tithes, He said: "This ye ought to have done (referring to the fact that they paid their tithes)" and then went on to condemn them for not doing certain other good works they should also have done.

(D) "Tithing was done away with when the law was fulfilled," say many. "The entire law was done away with."

The law said: "Thou shalt not kill: "Thou shalt not commit adultery;" etc.

Since these, too, were under the law, according to their false reasoning it is now all right to kill, commit adultery, or steal, etc. They were done away with when Christ fulfilled the law. This is false and foolish reasoning.

(E) I Corinthians 16:2 tells us all we need to know about church finances.

"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by Him in store, as God both prospered him... "

1. Who Should Tithe?

Each and every member of the church. (Paul was talking to the church in I Corinthians 16:2, above). This includes the pastor, the deacons, the lay members --- every one.

2. When?

Not on Wednesday nor Friday but "on the first day of the week" --- that is on Sunday!

3. Where?

To a radio program? To a charity? No! In the storehouse (storehouse, Malachi 3:10). Tithing should be in and through the church, which is the storehouse of God for each member of that church.

The tithe should be paid into the church and all these "causes" cared for by the church, or by "charitable giving" beyond your tithes and offerings to your own Church.

I once knew a man who held back his tithe until it had accumulated to a sufficient amount. He would then spend it on the church building, fixing things to suit himself. Had he paid his tithe? No.

In the first place, his tithe was to be paid on Sunday.

Second, the church was the one to decide what, when, where, and how much "fixing" to do. Not only had he failed to pay tithe, but he had usurped authority that Christ invested in the church as a body.

4. The amount.

"As God hath prospered him." Jacob paid as God had prospered him --- one-tenth, Genesis 28:22. The word "tithe" literally means one-tenth.

(F) In II Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul gives God's rule for giving. It is as follows:

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

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

8 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"

Notice the clear and detailed instructions for giving.

1. Every man.

2. As he purposes in his heart.

3. Not grudgingly.

4. Not of necessity (not to be saved, or even to be a church member).

5. Cheerfully.

6. God blesses His children in proportion to the way we follow these rules.

II. Why People Don't Tithe

(A) Covetousness.

1. Eve coveted the fruit and brought about the fall of man. Many a home and many a nation has fallen because they coveted that which belongs to God.

2. Cain coveted Abel's approval of God, and committed murder.

3. Lot's covetousness brought about the loss of most of his family, brought about his death, and still worse, his everlasting disgrace.

4. King Saul's overthrow was brought about by covetousness. He lost his great, keen mind and became a raving maniac. His son lost the throne. This same covetousness will wreck homes and lives today. Many a father or mother who covets God's tithe wonders why their children are so ungodly. It is just the result of the parents' own ungodly love of wealth.

5. Gehazi, servant of Elisha, was smitten with leprosy because he coveted. Many a man has a leprous soul because he covets God's part.

6. The covetousness of Israel, as shown by their not observing the Sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:27) brought trouble. It eventually brought them into captivity.

7. Malachi says the terrible condition of the Jews is brought about because they robbed God of His tithes and offerings.

8. Judas betrayed Christ because of the same covetousness of money that many church members have today. They, like Judas, betray Christ for money. They hold up their hands in horror at Judas, while they are guilty of the very same sin.

9. Ananias and Sapphira died because of covetousness. Gehazi died, Judas died, King Saul died. Many are dying today because they are "holding out" on God.