Jesus took the time to have about seven key teachings on money, and you can find them here: Matt. 6:24, Luke 12:32-34, Mark 10:24-25, Matt. 13:18-23, Luke 12:13-15, Luke 16:10-11, and Mark 12:41-44. Key Passage: Luke 16:10-11  4 Questions On Money 1. Why Does The Church Need Money? Malachi 3:10 ESV 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Here is the thing: the church doesn’t need your money as much as you need the blessing of giving your money to the storehouse, which is the church. Giving is a privilege that allows God to stretch our faith and develop greater discipline and responsibility. The blessings that go along with faithfulness in financial giving will come both in this life and throughout eternity. 2. Why Do We Tithe If It Was In The Old Testament The Old Testament is where the 10% comes from. Do you want the New Testament version of giving? Here it is practically. Acts 2:42–47 ESV 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. They sold everything they had and gave to the church’s mission. This was radical faith here. So are we asking for enough if we say 10%? 3. If I Tithe, Why Does The Church Need More of My Money? Acts 1:7–8 ESV 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Our Jerusalem harvest is the harvest that is here at home and is what is easy. Judean harvest is those that may not be like us (for example, the prison) Samarian harvest is those here in the US that need extra help. (flood victims, natural disasters, etc.) The ends of the earth are missions. We present these as opportunities for God to tug at your heart. These are vetted things to give to, but if you don’t feel God tug, all you must do is tithe. 4. Why 10%? Why is what I can afford to give not good enough? Romans 12:1–2 ESV 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Giving takes time, and that’s why we encourage the giving ladder principle: Emerging: someone who has money but hasn’t given, but now they are giving something. That is the most significant step.   Consistent giver: I will not wait to give the first of what I give to God. You put it in an automatic draft if it’s 3 or 5 %.   Tithing: You bring the first 10% to God. Tithing is not the ceiling but the beginning of generosity. Extravagant giving: we should ask God how much he wants us to keep. What are our transformational moments? Have you honored God with your money? Do you want to be blessed by God? Will you have the faith to step up the ladder today?