Financial Soundness in Economic Downturns

Ed Wilson

Ed Wilson

Secretary-Treasurer

May 31, 2011

The economic situation of our country looks pretty bleak. Inflation, high unemployment, a drop in housing market, high fuel, utility, and food prices only names a few of the problems faced by the average consumer. The daily newspaper has a special section in the classified section to list just the real estate foreclosures. The federal government is trying to balance the nation’s budget by raising taxes on people who are facing economic collapse already. What is one to do?

I don’t propose to have all the answers. Maybe I don’t have any answers about what to do, but I have a suggestion as what not to do; don’t quit tithing.

While accepting the pastorate of a church that had seen better financial days, God gave me a series of messages to preach on Sunday mornings. I titled them; The Principle of Tithing, The Procedure of Tithing, and The Promise of Tithing. After preaching this series I have to admit that the financial situation got brighter.

The Principle of Tithing – simply goes back to the fact that tithing began before the law (Genesis 14), was mentioned in the closing book of the Old Testament, and alluded to in the gospels and epistles. Tithing has always been linked with those who wanted to be blessed of the Lord. Abraham tithed voluntarily to Melchizedek according to Genesis 14 and was blessed. Moses spoke regularly of tithing, encouraging the people to follow God’s plan of giving a tenth part to the Lord’s work. If God recognized tithing before the law and continued it through the law, doesn’t it stand to reason that He continues it today through grace?

The Procedure of Tithing – deals with where, how and how much we should tithe. As mentioned, the how much is ten percent, the where is the storehouse (church), and the how is off the top. The first fruit principle is key. I have heard of a farmer who fenced a special area consisting of ten percent of his acreage, took better care of the tilling, fertilized with the finest, and nurtured the plants until maturity. When harvested, the produce was sold at the highest possible price and the proceeds given to the church. Now most of us aren’t farmers, but the principle still applies. We should give to the Lord’s work before spending anything on ourselves. We should give before taxes and any other deductions. We should make sure that our intention is to fulfill the will of God and the blessings will follow. The tithe belongs to the church. Offerings to other ministries and alms to the poor come from the ninety percent that is left after tithing.

Now I always told the people that if they could get through the first two messages, they would enjoy the third one, which is:

The Promise of Tithing – Malachi 3:10 -11 says, “Bring ye all the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me 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. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall any vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”
The promises are 1) I will open the windows of heaven; 2) I will pour out a blessing; 3) The blessing will be more than you can handle; 4) I will rebuke the devil (the opposite of this is God not rebuking because of our unfaithfulness); 5) Your life and livelihood will prosper because of the rebuke; 6) All nations shall see the hand of God on you; 7) You shall be a prosperous land.

I have heard numerous testimonies of how God has provided when the principles and procedures are followed. I have lived through greater fuel shortages that we are experiencing today. I have seen several economic downturns in my life and I have always seen God provide for those who have been obedient to His word.

If you are facing financial difficulties look at your checkbook first. Is the first check each week or month a tithe check? Is the amount of the check equal to the gross amount of your salary check? Do you give your tithe to the storehouse?

In this economic downturn, please be faithful to God so He will be free to faithfully supply your need.