Leviticus 27:30-32

Our former pastor was welcomed back to preach this sermon, and did a tremendous job as always. 

Why do we give offerings? To keep the lights on? So the AC stays on and we don't die of heatstroke? So the heater functions and fends off hypothermia? So the staff can have roofs over their heads? Those are all good reasons, but not the real reasons we should give offerings to God.

Three reasons we give offerings at church

1. As an act of worship (Genesis 1:29; 9:3; Leviticus 27:30-32; 2 Peter 1:3). … God has created a beautiful and vibrant world, full of color and flavor. He gives us everything we need to survive and then some. Fruits and vegetables, but also sugarcane and coffee beans. And meat too! The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce, flocks, and herds as offerings to God, to be holy to the Lord. This is an act of worship that shows our recognition of what God has given to us. We are like that little girl at the store who wants to give her mom a Mother's Day, but she has no money, so her mom gives her some money to buy a gift. Yes, the mom really bought, she loves the gift nonetheless. So we give to God what is already His, but He loves the gift anyways. 
2. To partner in kingdom ministry (Philippians 1:3-5). … The church at Philippi had been sending offerings to Paul to help fund his missions trips. Likewise, our church puts forth some of the offerings it receives to different ministries. We support a wide variety of ministries from local to regional to national and even global ministries. We send people on mission trips, fund organizations that help others, and support missionaries around the globe 
3. To store up treasures for ourselves in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; 10:42). … Jesus tells us the best way to invest our money is to invest it in Heaven by using it to help others. We can't take what we save up in this life into Heaven, but we can use it to build up treasures in Heaven. This is not the prosperity gospel that some preachers spread, saying that God wants everyone to be rich and that by giving, you will become rich on Earth. No, giving will not make you rich and give you a big house, but it will enrich your life and strengthen your faith and build up treasures in Heaven. 

Consider these four commitments:

1. Begin to give a tithe of your income to God through the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). … Honoring God with your money is a big step in your faith and can help to deepen it. For many, it is one of the last areas of their life that they withhold from God. Letting it go can really strengthen the faith. 
2. Change your attitude about your giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). … If you already give, but you do it begrudgingly, examine that attitude and adjust your heart. Instead of grumbling that giving keeps you from going on trips, consider that giving helps the church to help others. 
3. Teach your children to give a tithe to God each week (Proverbs 22:6). … If you have children who receive an allowance, have them put a tenth of it in the offering so they develop the habit early. 
4. Receive God’s gift of salvation and give yourself totally to him (John 1:11-12; 2 Corinthians 8:4-5). ... If you aren't a believer or aren't a member of the church, you are not expected to give an offering. Instead, we ask you to receive the gift of salvation, to take Him as Lord of your life and to give yourself to Him.