The Monkey on My Back

It is really interesting to me that some people think that the giving of the tithe (10% of our income to God as the starting point of giving) is an albatross around their necks. Some might even admit that they consider it “the monkey on my back.”

In this message, I want to get this “monkey” off our backs, and speak about finances… mine, yours, and ours as a church and ministry.

Some of my preacher friends…and members…think that my Bible automatically falls open to Malachi 3:10. The history of Gateway’s giving over 45 years is legendary around the world. While building our beautiful facilities on 23 acres of land at the “gateway” to the greatest City in America, we have sacrificially spread the message of hope in Christ around the world in about 50 nations that I have visited in the Lord’s name, and Gateway’s.

How is that possible with a church of primarily first-generation Christians who have never heard about tithing “BG” or before Gateway? I believe the answer is simple…by the faithful preaching and God’s Spirit using messages like this one!

I want to marginalize the weight of that “monkey on some of our backs,” and give you a whole new perspective on the joy of giving. My hope is that you will never again frown or squirm when you hear me, or anyone else, speak about tithing and giving.

In Phil. 4:10-19, Paul knocks the monkey off our backs in what he says the Philippian Christians demonstrated to their world and other Christians around them. He lists the principles he says motivated this generous church in their ministry giving. Let’s look at them and see how we match up to them:

The first key to generous giving is CARING. In verse 10, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.”

The heart of tithing and giving is Godly CONCERN, a CARING:
-Caring for Christ’s work and the Church in the world.
-Caring for Christ’s worker and those who serve Him.
-Caring for Christ’s commission to spread the Gospel to the lost.

Paul said that all the Philippians needed was an opportunity, a genuine need, a project, a cause, because they were concerned about him – (Vs. 11) “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled & going hungry, both of having abundance & suffering need.”

Listen, like most in the Lord’s work, I have suffered want, and have been blessed. In the early years of Gateway, we remember bags of food left on our doorstep when my salary was $50 a week, substitute teaching in public school, and singing on the weekends with our group “Charisma.” Those kindnesses made me alert to the needs of others in the Lord’s work and other ministries around the world. That’s the heart of Gateway!

Is that why you give? Is that why you tithe…or don’t tithe (10%)? Tithing is a biblical principle consistently taught in the Bible:
-Abraham tithed before the Law was given – (Genesis 14:20)
-Moses taught tithing in the Law – Leviticus (27:26)
-Nehemiah reestablished the tithe after the Babylonian captivity (13)
-Malachi warned that it was robbing God not to give the tithe (3:6-12)
-Jesus supported tithing as something that “should be done.” (Matt. 23:23)
-Paul reminded the Hebrews Christians about tithing to our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. (7:8)

For 45 years I have consistently taught Scriptural tithing and relied on the obedient response of our people to support Gateway’s ministry at home and abroad. And we have taught tithing as the beginning of our giving in addition to offerings for missions, building programs, benevolence, ETC.

I want you to know that out of Gateway’s care and concern for ministries on five continents and many nations, we have given millions of dollars to build churches, orphanages, medical clinics, and supported pastors so they could survive and minister.

We give because we CARE, and a hurting world, from Staten Island to the jungles of Africa, needs our help.

Gateway, like most ministries of our size in America, is fading some very difficult decisions as we move through this Recession. Along with our weekly accounts payable, we support a large staff at the church and the Academy. Practical needs of equipment repairs and upgrades are before us at all times. The completion of our new Chapel/Foyer is within reach if everyone who made volunteer commitments will fulfill them this year. Our support of missionaries and mission projects around the world waits our continued giving.

I say all this to remind our congregation, and those of you reading this article, that the work of God depends on the faithfulness of His people. We will someday return to him with our “talents” (Matthew 25) and give an account.

I know that some are struggling financially. I know that some have lost jobs and gotten cuts in pay, but not all of us! As churches across America are facing the same potential cutbacks. either Christians step up, or ministries could potentially step down.

To quote from the Play “1776,” “Does anybody care???” Well, the Philippians answered with a resounding “YES!” Paul said all they needed was the opportunity. Friends, we an “opportunity” we have today!

The second key is CREDIT. Vs. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

I think many believers are confused about this key, but Paul makes it clear that a motivation for gracious giving of tithes and offerings is the blessing of God upon our lives. Listen, 17 “ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me…. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.

II Cor. 9:6-11 (MES) “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.”

The third key is CONFIDENCE. Vs. 13- “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Paul shared a key to everything we do for Christ, and in this context it related also to giving. It is confidence that God will enable us to do everything He asks of us, through the power and graces of Christ Jesus.

People sometimes tell me that the can’t tithe because:
a) They don’t make enough money.
b) They are afraid of not having money when touch times come.
c) They just don’t have the faith to trust God after giving 10% plus.

I think that is what is happening during this Recession. Why is church giving down 20-30%, as it most of the economy, while just 10% of Americans are out of work? I believe the answer is…FEAR!

Can you imagine this happening when our opportunity at Gateway is the greatest it has ever been?
-We can reach thousands of lost people, students, and children.
-We have an opportunity see their lives, marriage, and families restored, blessed.
-We can build a church that will stand as a witness to Christ and the sacrifice of His people, at the very entrance to this great City.
-We can support mission’s projects in Africa, Romania, Portugal, and other nations around the World.

When I think of what WE CAN DO, it re-invigorates my spirit, and my giving! How about you?

Listen to my heart today as your Pastor. God can do abundantly above all we could ask or think, through the power that works in us as believers.

-God is asking us to love Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls.

-God is asking us to serve Him with our gifts and talents.

-God is asking us to tithe, yes 10% of our income to our church each week as He supplies. That’s how we are going to continue to battle Satan and His demonic forces seeking to destroy our marriages, families, youth, children, businesses. That’s why Satan wants our businesses and jobs to fail. He hates the tithe. It is a “Monkey on his back.”

-God is asking us to give sacrificially to see our church complete the vision of our building program. That’s why He blessed us with this property, to build a church that will house a powerful ministry touching thousands more before Jesus returns.

-God is asking us to use our wealth to reach around the world and help build ministries, church buildings, orphanages, clinics, and fulfill the Great Commission before Jesus returns.

I want to prophesy over all of us today, by faith. YES LORD, WE CAN! We can do everything God asks us to do.

WHY? Because we CARE; we want to lay up treasure, yes CREDIT in heaven and receive the reward Jesus will give the faithful; and we are CONFIDENT that “we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us.”

Paul ends this teaching with a verse that encouraging to the hearts of every faithful tither and giver to the work of the Lord, Vs. 4:19 – “And my God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I challenge you now to ask God, “What shall I give Thee Master, Thou hast given all for me; Not just a part, but all of my heart; I will give ALL to Thee.”

Go ahead and kick the “monkey off your back!”