Revision as of 15:25, 17 November 2025

Don't Stop Giving

Nathan Wakefield / General Adult

Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30-32; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

'Theological Proposition/Focus: Generous giving is a joyful response to God's abundant provisions, reflecting our faith, trust, and commitment to His Kingdom.'

'Christ Focus: Throughout Scripture, abundant giving is depicted as a response of gratitude and faithfulness to God's provision, demonstrating our trust in Him and our commitment to His work. Ultimately, giving is a reflection of the knowledge that Christ has bought us and everything we have.'

'Application: Christians should evaluate their giving practices and see generosity as an essential aspect of their faith and a reflection of their relationship with God.'

Introduction

Image: Giving Video from Cooperative program

Need: We are a giving church; we need to commit to continuing that tradition that has been passed down through both the history of our church and the history of our faith.

Preview: Giving acknowledges the sovereignty of God while anticipating His promises fulfilled, obeying His commands, placing our treasure in Heaven, and investing in the mission of God.

Text: Genesis 14:18-20, Genesis 28:20-22, Leviticus 27:30-32, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 read with each main point

Setting the Stage:

I do not often preach topical sermons, and even when I do have a particular topic, I still aim to be exegetical and pick a single passage. Today will be a little different because I want to do something closer to what might be considered biblical theology. Specifically, I want to trace the development of a concept through the entire Bible. We will still be exegetical, and we won't just proof-text, but I am going to have you tracing an argument through the Bible instead of sitting in a single passage.

Body

Why give? So that we might acknowledge God's sovereignty. Genesis 14:18-24

Abram's encounter with Melchizedek highlights God's sovereignty and blessings, prompting us to offer our best to Him. Here, giving is not merely a reaction but a proactive acknowledgment of God's generosity. Melchizedek's blessing and Abram's response establish an early biblical pattern of honoring God through tangible acts of generosity.

The fact that Melchizedek represented God was enough of a reason for Abraham to give.

Genesis 14:1-17 sets the stage with a dramatic account of conflict and rescue. A coalition of four eastern kings waged war against five kings of the Jordan Valley, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the chaos, the invaders captured both cities, seized their goods and people, and took Abram's nephew Lot as a prisoner.

When Abram heard of Lot's capture, he immediately mobilized 318 trained men from his household, pursued the invaders north, and launched a surprise nighttime attack near the area where the tribe of Dan would eventually settle. God granted Abram victory. He defeated the eastern kings, recovered all the stolen goods, and rescued Lot along with the other captives.

As Abram returned, he was met by two kings. One was the king of Sodom—the ruler of a notoriously wicked city. The other was Melchizedek, the king of Salem, described as "priest of God Most High." Unlike the pagan Canaanites, Melchizedek worshiped the true God—El Elyon, "God Most High." (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, 'el 'elyon).

Theologians have long debated who Melchizedek truly was. Even here in our church, Pastor David, Harrison, and I, after an hour-long discussion, decided we don't know exactly who Melchizedek was, and maybe that's the point. Perhaps God intended for Melchizedek to remain a mysterious figure so that the focus would rest not on the man but on the God he represented.

What we do know is that in this passage, Melchizedek stands as the representative of the living God. Abram's response shows that he recognized that authority. In verses 18-21, we see Melchizedek blessing Abram in the name of God Most High, and Abram responding with honor and deference. From a worldly perspective, Abram owed Melchizedek nothing—he had just won a war and risked his life—but he still gave freely. Why? Because Melchizedek represented God, and that was enough.

The act of giving was a way that Abraham could demonstrate it was God who was the source of his blessing.

A sharp contrast appears in verses 22-24. Abram willingly, even unprompted, gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek. Then the king of Sodom approached and made him an offer: "Keep the goods for yourself." On the surface, it might seem generous. Abram had earned the right to the spoils of war. But Abram refused, saying he had sworn an oath to God.

Why was that oath so important? Because Abram wanted everyone to know that his wealth and success did not come from human generosity. He didn't need man's blessing—he already had God's blessing.

This moment shows the heart of a man who knew where his help came from. Abram recognized that God was his provider, and he expressed that faith by giving freely to Melchizedek while refusing to accept anything from Sodom. His giving, his receiving, and even his handling of material goods all reflected his conviction that God alone is sovereign.

This was a test—and Abram passed with flying colors.

Image: R.G. LeTourneau and reverse tithing?

R. G. LeTourneau (1888-1969) was a pioneering American inventor and businessman who revolutionized the field of earthmoving equipment. During World War II, nearly 70% of the Allied earthmoving machinery was based on his designs. Yet despite his enormous success, LeTourneau was known for his deep Christian faith. He and his wife, Evelyn, practiced what they called reverse tithing—living on 10% of their income and giving 90% to God's work.

LeTourneau once said, "It's not how much of my money I give to God, but how much of God's money I keep for myself." He understood that everything ultimately belongs to God and that giving is not about generosity—it's about stewardship.

MTR: Ask yourself, is my giving representative of a sovereign God?

When we give, we're doing more than supporting a ministry or meeting a need—we're making a declaration about who truly reigns over our lives. Generous giving is an act of worship that says, "God, You are my provider and I trust You more than my possessions." Like Abram, we can choose to give in ways that acknowledge God's sovereignty rather than seeking recognition or comfort. When we hold our resources loosely and surrender them joyfully, we proclaim that everything we have belongs to Him and that we depend on His blessing, not the world's approval.

Why give? So that we might anticipate God's promises. Genesis 28:20-22

Jacob's vow to give a tenth of all he received marks a pivotal moment of faith and commitment. In this passage, giving represents a response to God's promises, showing how generosity can express trust and anticipation of His blessings. Jacob's commitment reminds us to build intentional practices of giving that are rooted in faith.

Jacob's conditional oath was more like an expectation than a condition.

In Genesis 27, Jacob deceived his father and stole Esau's blessing. As a result, he fled to live with his uncle Laban—a journey of nearly 500 miles. Along the way, Jacob stopped for the night at "a certain place," where he had a dream. In that dream, God spoke to him and reaffirmed the covenant promises first made to Abraham and then to Isaac—now passed on to Jacob. When Jacob awoke, he set up a stone pillar as a monument and named the place Bethel—"House of God."

Jacob then made a vow:

"If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the LORD will be my God, and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me, I will give you a tenth." (vv. 20-22)

At first glance, this might sound like a deal—"If God does this, then I'll do that." But look carefully at verse 15. The very things Jacob names as "conditions" in verse 20 are actually the promises God already made in verse 15. In other words, Jacob isn't bargaining with God; he's responding to what God has already promised to do.

Jacob's words could be paraphrased this way: "If God is truly going to do all this for me, then He really is my God!" Jacob's vow wasn't an attempt to manipulate God—it was an act of faith, expressing confidence that God would be faithful to His word. Jacob is responding to what he knows God will do, not conditioning his obedience on what he hopes God might do. That's an important distinction—and Jacob is on the right side of it.

Jacob's commitment was to give back to God.

Now look closely at Jacob's response. Verse 22 shows us that Jacob's faith led to action. First, he set up the pillar and called it Bethel (בֵּית אֵל), meaning "house of God." Second, he committed to give back a tenth of everything God would give him.

Why a tenth? Where did that idea come from? Remember Abram's response to Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Jacob's act mirrors his grandfather's faith. Just as Abram gave freely to acknowledge God's sovereignty, Jacob gives to express his confidence in God's promise.

This moment marks a turning point in Jacob's life. It's when God becomes personal and real to him. And when we encounter the real, personal God of the universe, the natural response is commitment—building a memorial to His faithfulness, claiming Him as our God, and putting our faith into tangible action.

When something happens once, it's noteworthy. When it happens twice—across generations—it becomes a pattern. Both Abram and Jacob show us that the proper response to God's promises is a commitment of faith that includes giving back to Him.

Image: Learning to Tithe From Parents

I won't mention names, but I've had conversations with several of our young adults—those in the 18-25 age group—who give faithfully to the Lord. Many of them don't make much money. Some live at home; others are on their own. Yet they still give at least ten percent of their income to God. Why? Because that's what they've been taught, and more importantly, because that's what God's people do.

Some of these young adults learned generosity by watching their parents tithe. They saw faith modeled in real life, and now they are living it out themselves. Church, that challenges the rest of us. If our young adults can trust God enough to give from the little they have, shouldn't we also give faithfully from what God has entrusted to us?

I am convinced that if everyone in our church gave faithfully—if every household reflected this kind of trust—we would see God grow this ministry beyond anything we could imagine. But we don't give so that the church will grow; we give because this is what God's people do. It's an act of faith, commitment, and worship before the God who keeps His promises.

MTR: Ask yourself, am I willing to commit to give because that is what God's people do?

When we give, we're not just responding to needs—we're responding to promise. Like Jacob, we give because we believe God will do what He has said He will do. Every act of generosity becomes an act of anticipation, declaring our trust that God will provide, sustain, and fulfill His Word. God's people are marked by this kind of confidence. We give not out of obligation, but out of faith—because giving is what God's people do when they believe His promises are true.

Why give? So that we might abide by God's commands. Leviticus 27:30-33

The biblical principle of tithing that began with Abraham and Jacob became, in Leviticus, a community standard founded on faith and gratitude. This passage underscores the tithe as a holy portion set apart for God—a structured, communal act of giving that cultivates reverence and dependence on divine provision.

The principle established by Abraham and Jacob was worth instilling in the entire community.

Leviticus is one of those "fly-over books." You know what I mean—the book you tend to skip when doing your annual Bible reading plan. It can feel dry, like a book of statutes and regulations. And that's exactly what it is—a record of how God established His holy standard for His people.

After leaving Egypt, the Israelites were in the process of forming a nation. They needed a clear set of laws and principles to govern their lives. The second half of Exodus begins to lay out some of these rules, and Leviticus expands them in detail—especially the laws concerning worship and holiness.

As the book concludes, we find a final closing command: the command to tithe. Here, as Israel prepares to live as God's covenant people, the principle first modeled by Abraham and confirmed by Jacob becomes a formal requirement for the entire nation. The tithe, once a voluntary act of worship, is now codified as a shared expression of faith. It is no longer just something the faithful do—it is what God's people are commanded to do.

Now, we must remember: we are not Israel, and we are not bound by the Old Testament law. But that doesn't mean the principle behind it is irrelevant. Many of the laws of Israel revealed enduring truths about God's character and His expectations for His people. And right here, we see that giving a portion back to God isn't a man-made custom—it's a God-given pattern meant to teach His people reverence, dependence, and obedience.

The tithe belongs to the Lord.

Leviticus 27 teaches an important theological truth: the tithe belongs to the Lord. Take a moment to think about that. When we choose to withhold the tithe, we are withholding something that isn't ours to begin with. In Malachi 3, God goes as far as to call it robbery when His people fail to bring the full tithe into the storehouse.

I've heard people say, "I'm not tithing right now because I can't afford to." But here's the truth—you can't afford not to. The tithe is not a luxury to offer when things are easy; it's an act of obedience that declares, "God, You come first." When we keep back what belongs to God, we're saying that our priorities, comfort, or plans outrank His authority.

That's a dangerous way to live. Think about it—who has more power, your bank or the God of the universe? I don't know about you, but I'd rather owe money to anyone else than withhold what rightfully belongs to God. Let me be blunt, would you rather rob the bank or the God of the universe?

This doesn't mean God calls us to steal from others so we can give to Him—that's not the point. The point is this: tithe first, live on what remains. That might mean doing without certain things, adjusting priorities, or rethinking how we spend—but it keeps our hearts aligned with God's command.

Because when God's people give first, they declare their trust that He will provide for the rest.

MTR: Ask yourself, am I willing to commit to give because that is the right thing to do?

When God's people give, it's not about checking a religious box—it's about living in obedience to His Word. The tithe is a reminder that everything we have already belongs to Him. When we give, we are aligning our hearts with His commands and participating in something bigger than ourselves: the faithful rhythm of a community that trusts God's provision. Generosity is not just a good idea—it's what God's people do when they take His Word seriously.

Why give? So that we might align with Heavenly treasures. Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus challenges His followers to invest their treasures in Heaven. Here, He teaches that generous giving purifies the heart, directing it toward eternal rewards and spiritual wealth rather than fleeting earthly ones.

There are two places in which one can invest.

It's not a false dichotomy to say that you have two choices—you can either invest in treasure on earth or treasure in Heaven. Immediately, you might think, "That's not true, because some of the money I spend here on earth is intended for God's use." But notice, Jesus is not saying do not spend your money on earth. He's saying do not store up treasure on earth.

I've always been fascinated by archaeology and ancient Egyptian burial practices. In ancient Egypt, it was common for people to be buried with some amount of treasure they believed would be accessible to them in the afterlife. But no earthly treasure follows us beyond the grave. No matter how much you save, it won't follow you. And no matter how much you spend frivolously, it won't follow you either.

The point is this: Jesus calls us to store up heavenly treasure. That may take the form of giving financially to the church for its ministry and operations, or it may mean using your possessions for the work of Christ.

Living generously is a way to invest in Heaven. But when we consume everything on ourselves—or hoard everything so that we might later consume it upon ourselves—we are storing up treasure on earth. Even saving large sums only to pass them on to your children or grandchildren is no better. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone take an inheritance and waste it on something foolish. It does them no good and it's far from a heavenly investment.

The reality is this: we can invest in either the present earth or the future Heaven—and only one of those is a safe investment.

Only one of those places is a safe investment.

Jesus tells us that treasure on earth is susceptible to moths and vermin. Literally, this is true. Did you know that mouse urine is highly corrosive? You might purchase a beautiful car as your earthly investment, only to discover that mice have built a nest in it, chewed the wires, and corroded the frame. It's not far-fetched—earthly treasures decay. Anything you invest in here on earth can be destroyed by nature or stolen by others. Wealth can vanish in a moment.

But when we store up treasure in Heaven, we're placing our treasure into a secure, stable, guaranteed investment.

And the right investment will mold our heart.

But more than just security, the right investment shapes our hearts. That's what makes this passage so powerful. In verse 21, Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This is profound. Sometimes people tell me they wish they could be more spiritually minded. I wonder if Jesus is giving us the answer right here. If you want to be more devoted to God—more spiritually minded—perhaps you need to take the first step of investing heavily in the heavenly. Maybe that means writing a big check. Maybe it means committing a big portion of your time. Whatever it looks like, the right investment doesn't just reflect your heart—it molds it.

MTR: Evaluate your investment, are you investing wisely?

When we give toward heavenly treasures, we are not only obeying Jesus' command—we are shaping our hearts to reflect His priorities. Generosity trains us to care less about temporary things and more about eternal realities. Every dollar, every hour, every resource we place into God's work becomes a spiritual investment, producing a heart that treasures what He treasures. Take a moment to ask yourself: where is your treasure right now? Are your resources anchored in things that pass away, or are you investing in the Kingdom in ways that last forever?

Why give? So that we might systematically participate in God's work. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Paul's instructions to the Corinthians reveal planned and systematic giving as a model of community support and anticipation of needs. This passage advocates for regular, intentional acts of generosity as an essential feature of church life, reflecting commitment to the broader mission of the Church and preparation for its future.

The standard practice for a believer is regular intentional giving.

At this point, we have traced the concept of generous giving carefully and systematically through Scripture—a method called Biblical Theology. We've followed the arc of a theological idea from its initial development through its unfolding across the Bible. We've seen God establish the model of the tithe with Abraham, confirm it with Jacob, codify it in Israel through the Law, and finally, with Jesus, show how giving shapes our hearts.

Now Paul brings it all together. In 1 Corinthians 16, he gives the churches a standard practice: regular, intentional giving. Paul doesn't need to provide exhaustive details because Scripture has already traced the pattern. The principle is clear, and the expectation is consistent across God's people.

The standard practice for a believer is proportional giving.

Verse 2 is particularly important. Paul instructs that on the first day of the week, each person should set aside a sum of money "in keeping with their income." The Greek here carries the idea of giving based on what one has been blessed with. Some translations use the word proportion.

So the question becomes: how do we determine the proportion? Scripture itself provides the guidance. God's people have been given a model tracing all the way back to Abraham. A practical proportion is the 10% tithe—a clear and time-tested benchmark for faithful giving.

Why give? Because as the remainder of 1 Corinthians 16 explains, this giving will be used in God's work throughout the Church. Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and He entrusts us with resources to steward. By giving a portion back—faithfully, intentionally, and proportionally—we participate in His ongoing work in the world.

Churches today may not emphasize tithing as much, but the reality is that the principle is woven throughout Scripture. Generous, proportional giving is not just a suggestion—it is a core part of God's design for His people, reinforced across generations and across the arc of the Bible.

MTR: Commit to regular, intentional, proportional giving.

Giving regularly and proportionally is about more than fulfilling a duty—it's about actively participating in God's work and trusting Him with what He has entrusted to you. When you set aside a portion of your income intentionally, week by week, you are joining a community of believers who sustain the mission of the Church and care for the needs of others. This kind of faithful giving trains your heart to rely on God, not on your own resources, and reminds you that every gift is part of a larger story of God's Kingdom advancing through His people.