Bethany Baptist Church held its January semi-annual business meeting, Wednesday evening. Dan Stillings gave the 2010 financial report and presented the proposed budget for 2011. The congregation approved both the financial report and the proposed budget. The congregation agreed to contribute to the support of the Lighthouse Baptist Ministries of Madison, Alabama. Church members were challenged to contribute just 25 cents a week to a special “Lighthouse Keepers” fund that will be used to construct housing for missionaries who are on furlough.
The Jubilee Singers sang a special song in the Sunday morning service. Dan Stillings sang a special in the evening. Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a message from Malachi 3:7-12 on “Why Should I Tithe?”
One reason for tithing is that God has commanded that people should give a proportion of their “increase” for the needs of the church. Tithing was instituted in the Old Testament. One out of ten sheep, goats, or cattle was to be given, the first fruits, and a tenth of the grain that was harvested was to be brought to the temple to provide food for the priests and Levites and to provide sacrifices for the worship. Tithes are used now for the operating expenses of the church and to spread God’s word.
Giving tithes is part of the worship of God. Abraham gave tithes in appreciation for God’s blessing of deliverance when Abraham returned successfully from fighting Chedorlaomer and the kings with him who had taken Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah when they were raiding in that area. Giving has always been a part of worship. First give your heart to the one who was willing to give His only begotten Son, then give of your resources.
Tithing just makes good sense. God has promised that when you give, he will give blessing in return so great that you cannot hold all of it. Luke 6:38
Giving tithes increases our faith. Faith comes by hearing and it is increased by seeing that results of obedience.
All we have belongs to God anyway. God has also promised to take care of his children, so let him do the “worrying” about whether you will have enough.
There is a cost to spreading the gospel and tithing is God’s way to provide the means to do that. If we don’t do our part the gospel will not be spread. There is a cost to us if we do not tithe. God cannot open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing if we withhold our tithes.
