God’s Method for Supporting Missions Work
Text
Deuteronomy 12:11
Theme
God’s work is to be supported by the giving of God’s people.
Introduction
Today is our Focus on Missions Sunday, and we will be looking at the need to support missions work both locally and abroad.
This morning we will consider God’s method for supporting missions work, and tonight we will look at God’s method for carrying out missions work.
The Precedent for Tithing
Genesis 14:18-20
There are those who say that tithing belonged only to the Old Testament Law and is therefore unnecessary for Christians today.
However, the Scriptures demonstrate that tithing existed before the Mosaic Law was ever given.
Tithing Preceded the Mosaic Law
Abraham Tithed Before the Law
Genesis 14:18-20
The Occasion for the Tithe
Genesis 14 records the occasion when five kings attacked Sodom and its neighbouring cities, taking Lot captive.
Genesis 14:11-12
“And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.”
When Abraham heard what had happened, he took his 318 trained servants, pursued the invading kings by night, defeated them, and rescued Lot together with all the people and possessions that had been taken.
Genesis 14:16
“And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.”
The Worship in the Tithe
Following the victory, Abraham gave tithes of everything to Melchizedek, king of Salem.
Genesis 14:18-20
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God…”
Abraham gave tithes because Melchizedek was the priest of the Most High God, who had delivered the enemy into his hand.
This was clearly an act of worship.
By contrast, Abraham refused to keep the spoils offered by the king of Sodom.
Genesis 14:21-23
His refusal demonstrated that the victory belonged to God and that he desired God alone to receive the glory.
Jacob Tithed Before the Law
Genesis 28:20-22
Genesis 28 records Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel while fleeing from Esau.
Again, we find a man of God voluntarily committing himself to give a tenth because he recognised that everything he possessed had first been given by God.
Genesis 28:20-22
“And Jacob vowed a vow… and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Before the Law was ever given, God’s people were already returning to Him a portion of what He had graciously provided.
Jacob’s commitment is also closely connected with Bethel becoming the house of God.
Tithing Continued in the New Testament
The Lord Jesus Endorsed It
Matthew 23:23
Matthew 23 records the Lord Jesus delivering His strongest rebuke of empty and hypocritical religion.
Matthew 23:23
“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…”
The Lord was not rebuking the Pharisees for tithing.
He was rebuking them because they carefully observed tithing while neglecting judgment, mercy, and faith.
Notice His conclusion:
“…these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
In other words, they were to uphold both.
Their hearts needed to be right, but they were not to abandon tithing.
The Apostle Paul Confirmed the Principle
1 Corinthians 16:2
The New Testament does not prescribe a fixed percentage that every believer must give.
Rather, it emphasises willing, cheerful, and proportionate giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Giving is to flow from a willing heart.
At the same time, Paul taught that believers should give in proportion to God’s blessing.
1 Corinthians 16:2
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…”
As God prospers us financially, we ought to give accordingly.
The Practice of Tithing
Genesis 28:20-22 | Proverbs 3:9
What Is a Tithe?
The first mention of tithing occurs in Genesis 14:20.
According to the principle of first mention, this provides the clearest introduction to the subject.
The Hebrew word translated “tithes” means “a tenth” or “a tenth part.”
Today we understand a tithe to be 10% of the whole.
When someone tithes, they give ten percent of their total income to the Lord.
Honouring God with the Firstfruits
Tithing is also connected with the biblical principle of honouring God with the firstfruits.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase…”
This principle explains why we encourage believers to tithe from their total income before other deductions.
The question naturally follows:
Who receives the firstfruits of your increase—God or the government?
How Should We Tithe?
Cheerfully
2 Corinthians 9:7
The Christian should never give grudgingly.
Giving is an act of worship and ought to be done cheerfully.
It is interesting that we live in one of the wealthiest societies in history, yet many Christians have become increasingly reluctant to talk about giving or to give faithfully.
Some churches avoid preaching on giving altogether because they fear upsetting people or causing division.
Such an attitude often reveals a misunderstanding of stewardship.
Everything we possess ultimately belongs to God.
We are merely stewards of what He has entrusted to us.
When we view ourselves as stewards rather than owners, giving ceases to feel like personal loss.
Even our children ultimately belong to God.
He entrusts them to us for a season so that we may train them for His glory.
They are, as the Scriptures declare, “an heritage of the LORD.”
Purposefully
Our giving ought to support the work of God.
While helping the poor is commendable, the gifts God has commanded are to be brought into the house of God and used to advance the work of the Gospel.
The biblical pattern is that believers become part of a faithful local church and support that church through both their time and their finances.
The manuscript also expresses the church’s conviction regarding para-church organisations, explaining that the biblical pattern is for Gospel ministry to operate under the authority and accountability of a local church rather than independent organisations.
Why Should We Tithe?
To Support the Local Church
Supporting the Local Mission
The financial gifts of God’s people are God’s appointed means of supporting the local work of the Gospel.
Malachi 3:10
“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.”
If God’s people do not support God’s work, who will?
How can the ministry continue without the financial resources necessary to carry it forward?
Every local church has practical expenses that must be met in order to faithfully proclaim the Gospel.
These include such things as:
- Meeting place hire.
- Church insurance and operating expenses.
- Musical instruments and hymnals.
- Gospel tracts and evangelistic materials.
- Other ministry resources required to carry out the work.
These are not worldly expenses.
They are practical necessities that enable the church to continue preaching Christ.
Supporting the Local Pastor
A local church also needs faithful pastoral leadership.
If a pastor is to devote himself to preaching, teaching, shepherding, and evangelism, it is appropriate that the church provide financial support.
1 Timothy 5:17-18
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine… The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
The Apostle Paul teaches that those who faithfully labour in the ministry are worthy of financial support.
This enables them to give themselves fully to the work God has entrusted to them.
To Support Missions Abroad
This is especially relevant on Focus on Missions Sunday.
The tithes and offerings of God’s people provide the means by which local churches support missionaries around the world.
Without the faithful support of churches, missionaries would be unable to continue effectively preaching the Gospel in their appointed fields.
The biblical pattern is clear.
Missionaries are to be:
- Trained by local churches.
- Sent by local churches.
- Supported by local churches.
This church has recently voted to tithe from its own increase toward missions.
That means ten percent of all tithes received are placed into the missions fund, where they are used exclusively for the support of our missionaries.
As believers give faithfully to the local church, the local church, in turn, gives faithfully to the broader work of reaching the world with the Gospel.
The Offering Beyond the Tithe
Love Offerings
Philippians 4:14-17
Scripture speaks not only of tithes, but also of offerings.
Offerings are gifts given above and beyond the regular tithe.
Many believers view the tithe as the foundation of their giving, while offerings provide opportunities to support particular areas of God’s work.
For example, when guest preachers visit the church, members may choose to give a special love offering.
Likewise, believers can provide additional financial support to missionaries whenever the Lord lays it upon their hearts.
These gifts are distinct from the regular tithe.
They are freewill offerings directed toward specific ministries or servants of God.
Faith Promise Missions
Faith Promise Missions provides an organised way for believers to give above and beyond their regular tithing in support of world evangelism.
Rather than replacing the tithe, Faith Promise giving is an additional act of faith.
For example, a believer who faithfully tithes may prayerfully commit to giving a set amount each month specifically toward missions.
This additional giving reflects a willingness to trust God to provide while investing directly in the spread of the Gospel.
The purpose is not obligation.
It is faith.
A Personal Matter Between You and the Lord
Faith Promise Missions is never intended to pressure God’s people.
It is a matter of personal conviction before the Lord.
Each believer should prayerfully consider whether God would have them participate and what amount He would have them give.
Those who have not yet begun faithfully supporting their local church through regular tithing should begin there.
Faith Promise giving is designed to build upon faithful stewardship, not replace it.
Whether the amount is large or small, every gift contributes directly to the support of missionaries.
The missions fund is used exclusively for missionary support, ensuring that every dollar invested goes toward advancing the Gospel both across Australia and around the world.
Conclusion
Everything we possess ultimately belongs to God.
We are not owners.
We are stewards of what He has entrusted to our care.
Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
When we recognize God’s ownership of all things, giving becomes an act of gratitude rather than obligation.
Our tithes support the ministry of the local church.
Our offerings enable additional opportunities for Gospel ministry.
Our missions giving helps send the Gospel to those who have never heard.
Above all, God desires willing hearts.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
May we be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, giving cheerfully, purposefully, and sacrificially for the glory of God and the advancement of His Gospel.