The Why of the Tithe | Marcus Mecum | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Why of the Tithe

7 Hills Church • Sep 28, 2026 • 36 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Tithing is fundamentally an act of faith and trust in God as our ultimate source, rather than a legalistic transaction or financial obligation. When believers give their first fruits out of love and relationship rather than fear or pressure, generosity becomes a joyful response to God's grace. Our faithful giving supports the local church and carries an eternal impact, helping transform lives and advance the kingdom of God.

Themes

Trusting God as SourceHeart Motivation in GivingGenerosity under GraceKingdom StewardshipEternal Impact of the Local Church

Key Points

1.
Tithing is not a financial transaction or a way to earn God's favor, but a test of trust that demonstrates whether God or money is our true source.
2.
In Mark 12, Jesus observed how people gave to the treasury and commended the poor widow who gave her entire livelihood out of complete trust in God.
3.
Fear tries to disconnect us from God by threatening loss, while faith recognizes that even if we lose resources, being connected to the Source gives us everything.
4.
Under the Old Covenant, tithing served as training wheels to teach trust, but under New Covenant grace, ten percent is not a legalistic ceiling—it is a baseline for complete surrender.
5.
Biblical giving must spring voluntarily from a heart transformed by God's love and grace, never from manipulation, guilt, or fear of judgment.
6.
Because Jesus gave one hundred percent on the cross, New Testament stewardship shifts our perspective from asking what we have to give to rejoicing in what we get to give.
7.
Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also; giving out of duty breeds resentment, but giving out of love draws us closer to God.
8.
The tithe brought to the local church directly funds ministry, facilities, youth outreach, and soul-winning efforts that create eternal spiritual fruit.

Sermon Moments

“God doesn't demand the tithe because He needs funding; He invites us into trusting Him as our source.”

“Fear says imagine the worst-case scenario, but faith says even if I'm down to nothing, if I'm connected to the Source, I have everything.”

“Tithing trains your heart to say, "God, I trust You more than my paycheck. I trust You more than my bank balance."”

“Tithing initially was kind of like God's training wheels for the children of Israel... but at some point God's goal was for those training wheels to come off so we learn to ride freely in grace.”

“Religion says do this or else; relationship says give because you love Him.”

“Jesus went to the cross and gave 100%. So now it's not "What do I have to give?" Now it's "What do I get to give?"”

“Every church that you'll ever sit in was paid for by a tither... every time a sinner sits in one of these seats, the tither paid for it.”

This Week

Evaluate your financial trust this week by reflecting on whether you view your paycheck or God as your ultimate source of security.

Begin honoring God with the "first fruits" of your income off the top, rather than giving from whatever remains after paying bills.

Examine the condition of your heart when you give, ensuring your giving is motivated by love and gratitude rather than guilt, fear, or obligation.

Take a personal audit of discretionary spending and subscription habits to ensure kingdom priorities take precedence over worldly desires.

Pray over your financial giving this week, thanking God for His provision and asking Him to use your tithe to transform lives in your community.

Use ten percent as a launching pad for biblical generosity, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead you into a lifestyle of open-handed stewardship.

Celebrate the kingdom impact of the local church, remembering that your faithful giving provides ministries and safe places for future generations to encounter Christ.

Remember This

Tithing is not about God needing our money, but about training our hearts to trust Him as our true source through a relationship of love and freedom.

A Challenge for You

Examine your heart and ask, "How am I doing in my giving?" Make a commitment to stop consuming what belongs to God, step out in faith, and bring your first fruits so kingdom resources can flourish for generations to come.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.