We are wired for generosity.

We are bent toward selfishness.

While we are created to be generous, we are living lives that are selfish.

Money is a spiritual issue.

Bottom Line

We are to give first and live second.

We do not teach that followers of Jesus are required to tithe ten percent.

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:18-20

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “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.”
Genesis 28:18-22

Woe to you, teachers of law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Matthew 23:23

All we have belongs to God.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Psalm 24:1

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of Hosts.
Haggai 2:8

Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth
Deuteronomy 8:18

We are to give first as a declaration of trust in God.

Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.
Exodus 23:19

And now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.
Deuteronomy 26:10

We are to give in a Spirit-led way.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Our giving reflects our allegiance to Jesus.

Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 12:31

Action Steps

Pray & Give

Use the chart below to determine how much you are currently giving in light of how much your currently making.  Then bring that to God in prayer being open to God inviting you to move to the left.

• If you’ve never given before, jump in and start giving consistently.
• If you are giving, be open to God taking you deeper.