We dedicate this book to Patrick Ondrey, our faithful son in the Lord. John & Pat Avanzini Contents Introduction Question 1 Why should I obey the Bible about how I spend my money? Question 2 Are tithes and offerings the same? Question 3 Should I tithe on my net income or on my gross income? Question 4 How do I give a proper offering? Question 5 Why do some people with money hold back in their giving to God? Question 6 Is it all right for me to give my tithe to the poor? Question 7 Is it right to pay the tithe first when I have bills I have promised to pay? Question 8 Should I give to the Lord if my husband doesn't want me to? Question 9 Do I have to catch up all of my unpaid, hack tithes in order to be right with God? Question 10 The Bible says we are not supposed to be the borrowers, so why is there a mortgage on my church? Question 11 Is it right for ministers of the gospel to have a better-than- average lifestyle? Question 12 Is it all right to make a pledge to God if you don't have the money in hand when you make it? Question 13 Does the Bible say God's children should never borrow money? Question 14 Is it wrong for Christians to use credit cards? Question 15 Is it all right to co-sign a loan for a friend or family member? Question 16 Is it wrong for a divorced Christian to avoid paying legal child support? Question 17 Is filing bankruptcy immoral or unscriptural? Question 18 Is it all right for a Christian to save money? Question 19 How is it possible that my giving affects my praying? Question 20 Is there anything wrong with being rich? Conclusion Introduction Answering the questions of God's people is a legitimate biblical function of the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11). Scripture tells us the Apostle Paul answered people's questions. Now about those questions you asked in your last letter: my answer is .... 1 Corinthians 7:1 TLB I thank God for the new interest Christians are showing in getting biblical answers to the questions of life. It is evident that the true children of God have grown tired of the canned answers they have been receiving from so-called religious leaders. God's people are now insisting on fresh manna from His Word. They want straight answers, backed up by Scripture. In this book, you will find my answers to the twenty most-asked questions about money. They range from questions about the tithe all the way to whether or not a Christian should use a credit card. The answers on these pages are not the mere thoughts of John Avanzini. To the best of my ability, I have based them on God's Word. If I had not, they would be of little value to you, for the Scripture says: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 I have tried my best to mix sound biblical interpretation with practical, common sense, for Scripture warns us to avoid Bible teachers who give great discourses on unimportant trivia. ... charge ... that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying.... 1 Timothy 1:3,4 In selecting which questions to deal with, I have avoided the foolish ones, for the Word of God warns against answering them. ... avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Titus 3:9 Before you begin to read the contents of this book, please allow me one courtesy. If, for some reason, you do not agree with some of my answers, I most humbly ask you not to judge me too harshly. I have not written this book to divide us, but simply to answer your questions. Now, let me begin. Question 1 Why should I obey the Bible about how I spend my money? Recently a man from Miami wrote, "Why should I let the Bible tell me how I am supposed to spend my money? I feel that if I earned it, I ought to have the right to spend it the way I want." I would like you to consider some facts before you agree with this person's conclusion. As you know, it is important for Christians to look at the Word of God as it pertains to every part of their lives. We must do this because the Bible is God's word of instruction to those He has saved. We are told that it is to be: ... a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 Your Money Is Important to God’s Will Since God's Word shows us how to live the Christian life, and seeing that the way we use our money is a large part of our lives, it is imperative that we allow the Bible to guide us in the spending of our money. In fact, the Bible must be the final authority in all of our money matters, for the very money we earn comes to us through God's power. That's right! Money comes to us by God's power, and not by our own. ... thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.... Deuteronomy 8:18 There is no question about it. You did invest your time and energy in earning your money. However, you must remember that you are not like the children of this world. You have been "bought with a price ..." (1 Corinthians 6:20). You are no longer your own. ... old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Yes, you did spend your time to get an education. You have worked hard to develop your own business. You have vigorously participated in getting every dollar you have. However, if you are in Christ, your finances have come to you through a process totally different from the method of the world. The Bible says you receive your money through a supernatural miracle power that God has placed in your hands. Not only did He give you the supernatural power to get your wealth, He was also careful to tell you exactly how He wants you to spend it. Please notice that in the same verse that tells of our God-given power to get wealth, God also tells us why we have that power. ... [He] giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18 Let's start looking at it God's way. He has given you the power to obtain wealth for the specific purpose of funding the end-time harvest. If the Christians of this end time don't soon come into an understanding of this truth, some great problems will arise in the future. God Will File Embezzlement Charges Please note that I am not speaking only of the problems that a lack of funds will cause. I am also speaking of the problems the Christians of our era will face when they stand in the judgment of God. As most of you know, it is impossible to have a proper judgment without filing an indictment against the accused. With all of my heart, I believe the charge God will bring against most Christians will be that of embezzlement. Simply stated, God will accuse them of taking that which belonged to Him, and using it for their own selfish purposes. Seek Out God's Purposes Since your power to get money comes from God, it is important for you to seek out carefully how He wants you to spend it. It is obvious from Scripture that you should spend a part of everything you earn to fulfill God's purpose. You will never be able to receive full satisfaction and happiness from the money you earn until you have met God's expectations for it. Remember, sorrow-free money comes from God's own hand. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 Now, that's what I call good news! However, please notice that something totally different happens to the person who gathers money for the wrong purposes. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Timothy 6:9 The Scripture is clear. Money gained for the wrong reason eventually leads to much sorrow and eternal damnation. God Has a Right to Speak With these things said, it becomes evident that God has a right to speak to you about how you spend your money. First, He has that right because He gives you the power to get wealth. Second, if you gather and disburse money improperly, it will be a big detriment to your happiness and well being. Remember, God has a purpose for every dollar He places in your hands. Become a Steward I must say one last thing about this subject. It is important for every Christian to acknowledge that the Bible is the only authorized manual for living the proper Christian life. As you read God's Word, it will become evident that He doesn't look upon you as a proprietor. He looks upon you as His steward. As we all know, Christian stewards handle God's money, not their own. Now don't let this truth trouble you, for God always generously rewards His faithful stewards. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant [steward]: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.... Why should I obey the Bible about how I spend my money? Matthew 25:21 God wants you to use a part of everything He puts in your hands for your personal needs and pleasure. He is a just Master, and He would not ask you to be His steward without properly attending to your needs and wants. Why should you obey the Bible about how you spend your money? God has given you power to obtain your wealth. If you don't follow His instructions as to how you spend it, your money will cause you sorrow, and it can never bring you satisfaction. Question 2 Are tithes and offerings the same? I continue to be amazed at the number of people who are confused between the tithe and an offering. Even some ministers of the gospel mistakenly interchange these two words. One Sunday they may say, "It's time to take up the tithe." The next week it may be, "It's time to receive the offering." Tithing is not just another word for the Sunday offering. The tithe and the offering are two different things. First, the tithe is always a specified percentage of a person's increase. The offering is always a discretionary amount. The Tithe Is 10 Percent It would be wrong to say, "Well, I think I'll tithe $20.00 this month," for the amount of the tithe is unchangeable. It is always 10 percent of your increase. When you take time to read what the Scripture actually has to say concerning the percentage of the tithe, there is no room left for doubt. When Abraham returned home with the spoils from his victory over the five kings, in Genesis Scripture says he tithed. ... And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14:20 When the writer of Hebrews gave an account of the same event in the New Testament, he said Abraham gave 10 percent. ... Abraham gave a tenth part of all.... Hebrews 7:2 When you compare these two accounts, it becomes obvious that when the Bible speaks of the tithe, it is speaking of 10 percent of the increase. The Offering Is a Discretionary Amount The giver always determines the amount of his offering. The New Testament states that it isn't any set amount. Paul made this absolutely clear when he explained to the saints at Corinth how they should give. Every one must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. 2 Corinthians 9:7 TLB The Apostle Paul said that an offering should reflect the heart of the giver, and each individual Christian must decide how much he will give. The one who receives the offering is to use absolutely no pressure, for cheerful givers add a special dimension of pleasure to God in each offering. Be sure to keep it straight. Tithes and offerings are two completely different things. The tithe is a fixed percentage of your increase. The offering is a flexible amount regulated by your love for God. There is another important difference between the tithe and the offering. The tithe is a trust relationship. The offering is a gift relationship. The Tithe Is a Trust Let me illustrate the trust relationship of the tithe. Suppose you were my steward in charge of caring for my property, and I gave you $100.00 per day for expenses and safekeeping. Let's say I told you I wanted you to set aside 10 percent ($10.00) of every $100.00, and save it for me. You were not to spend it under any circumstances. You were to make sure it would be available to me whenever I wanted it. Suppose I also told you that with the remaining 90 percent, you could buy food, clothing, and anything else you might need, as long as you continued faithfully to set aside 10 percent for my account. That would be a trust relationship. This illustration is easy for a tither to understand, for it is parallel to the relationship he shares with his God. Here is an example from my own life. My house has a lock on the front door. However, all of my trusted children have keys to that lock. Because they have developed a trust relationship with me, I have given them access to all of my personal belongings. In that same way, when you establish a trust relationship with God through your faithful tithing, He will give you access to heaven by opening the windows. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing.... Malachi 3:10 An Offering Is a Gift The relationship you create with God through your offerings is much different, for it is a gift relationship. An offering is a present from you to God. If you were to give me a present, I would have no right to say, "Wait a minute. This gift just isn't enough!" or, "I think I need to see your financial statement, because this gift looks a little skimpy." A gift is just that. It's a gift. It doesn't come forth by command from the receiver, but it comes forth from the heart of the giver.