“Return to Me” — Honoring God with Our Money

By Pastor Joey Rumble · Summerbrook Church

Let’s talk plainly about money. Jesus did. The prophets did. And yesterday we looked at Malachi 3:6–12 (ESV), where God confronts His people for “robbing” Him by withholding the tithe. This isn’t about God needing cash— He owns it all. It’s about lordship, trust, and worship. Where our treasure goes, our hearts follow. Financial obedience is spiritual formation.

“For I the LORD do not change… Return to me, and I will return to you… Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… put me to the test… if I will not open the windows of heaven for you.” — Malachi 3:6–12

What the Bible Teaches About the Tithe

1) Tithing preceded the Law

Abram gave a tenth to Melchizedek, a priest-king who prefigures Christ: Genesis 14:18–20. Immediately after, Scripture emphasizes faith counted as righteousness: Genesis 15:5–6; see also Paul’s reflection in Romans 4:1–5. Tithing isn’t a legalistic loophole—it’s part of a bigger story of trusting God.

2) Tithing was in the Law

“Every tithe… is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30.

3) Jesus affirmed the heart behind it

Jesus rebuked nitpicky giving with a cold heart, but He didn’t cancel generosity: “These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:23. The issue is worship, not mere percentages.

Money, Worship, and the Heart

Jesus teaches that money is a heart diagnostic: Matthew 6:19–21. You can’t serve God and money— Matthew 6:24. The Psalmist reminds us who the real Owner is: Psalm 24:1. And Paul says we are stewards, not owners: 1 Corinthians 4:1–2; our very bodies belong to God: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.

Three Myths About Materialism

Myth of Ownership — “It’s all mine.” Truth: God owns everything (Psalm 24:1); we manage it (1 Corinthians 4:1–2).
Myth of Security — “Money will keep me safe.” Truth: The rich fool’s barns couldn’t save him (Luke 12:16–21). Wisdom plans and saves, yes, but ultimate security is the Lord.
Myth of Status — “I am what I own.” Truth: “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15).

First Things First: The Principle of Firstfruits

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce…” Proverbs 3:9–10. In practice, that means we don’t tip God our leftovers; we bring the tithe off the top. Like any wise builder, we “count the cost” and make room in the budget first for what is holy (Luke 14:28–29).

Tithes, Offerings, and Care for the Poor

Tithe: A baseline of 10% returned to the Lord through the “storehouse”—your local church where you are spiritually fed (Malachi 3:10).
Offerings: Spirit-led gifts beyond the tithe for kingdom projects (2 Corinthians 9:6–7).
Care for the Poor: God sees and rewards generosity to the needy (Proverbs 19:17).

Jesus promises that a generous life is a blessed life: Luke 6:38. And God invites us—astonishingly—to test Him in this: Malachi 3:10.

A Pastoral Word

Ginny and I have practiced tithing our entire marriage—not out of legalism, but out of love. We don’t “give” the tithe; we bring it because it already belongs to the Lord. We’ve watched Him provide, correct our hearts, and increase our joy. No prosperity gimmicks here—just faithful stewardship under a faithful God.

Your giving also fuels real kingdom impact. One of our global mission partners, Victorious Christian Harvesters, recently reported incredible fruit from their ministry in Huasteca: 836 patients treated, over 3,000 students and adults ministered to, and 1,896 salvations. Church—your generosity helped make that possible.

Many in our church family have found financial freedom through intentional budgeting and debt reduction in our small groups. When we put the tithe at the top and build margin, we learn to live open-handed. God blesses diligent work and cheerful, planned generosity.

Response

Ask the Lord, “What would you have me give?” Then act in faith. Remember: God doesn’t need your money—He wants your heart. But He uses your obedience to build His kingdom and to set your heart free from the grip of Mammon.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Prayer

Lord, You are the Owner and we are Your stewards. Teach us to honor You first, to trust You fully, and to live generously. Open the windows of heaven as we return to You in obedience and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

-DSB,

Joey Rumble

Honoring God with our money