Getting Ready For The Week | Daily Rhythms - Give Week 1

If you've been around the church for a while, you've probably heard the words tithe, tithes and offerings, and stewardship. Talking about money in church can sometimes feel uncomfortable or awkward. But the Bible actually has a lot to say about money. In fact, with Solomon offering wisdom on wealth in Proverbs and a third of Jesus’ parables addressing money, it's clear that God knew we would need guidance on how to spend, save, and manage our finances.

Let’s take a moment to break down some of these terms and look at their biblical definitions:

• Tithe: A tithe is a literal tenth—whether of crops, physical wealth, or cattle. In Deuteronomy, God gives Moses laws that include giving the first tenth of your possessions to the Lord as an offering. It’s not what's left over, but the very first portion of your wealth. Tithing is a way of honoring and thanking God for what He has provided.

• Offering: An offering can be a sacrifice—such as an animal, a financial gift above the tithe, or even your time and talents—as an act of worship or repentance. Offerings often go beyond the initial tenth and represent a deeper level of sacrifice and devotion.

• Stewardship: The concept of stewardship first appears in Genesis 2, when God instructs Adam to tend the garden and care for the animals. Stewardship starts with the belief that everything we have comes from God—your talents, finances, family, property. Because all of it originates from Him, He has entrusted you to care for these blessings in a way that honors Him. That’s what stewardship is all about: faithfully managing what God has given you, because He cares for you.

Now that we've covered these financial terms, let's talk about how giving fits into our daily lives. If you've been with us, you know that this week we’re exploring how giving relates to your spiritual temperament. If you're just joining us, you can find our spiritual temperament guide and test in the resources section below. That’s also where you'll find some practical steps to help you worship God through giving in a way that aligns with your temperament.

Remember: challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and grow in a temperament that doesn’t come as naturally to you.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS ASSESSMENT
Story: God and Money - Podcast from Bible Project
The Generosity Practice - John Mark Comer - RNM Study
Spiritual Temperaments Guide
ST - Suggested Practices for Giving