"Why I Tithe" - Pastor John D. Putnam
January 11, 2026
Pastor John D. Putnam
In this week’s POSC Podcast, Pastor Putnam delivers a clear, biblical, and deeply pastoral teaching on “Why I Tithe,” reframing generosity not as pressure or obligation, but as a discipleship issue rooted in the lordship of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Matthew 6 and the Sermon on the Mount, this message confronts the heart of the matter: where your treasure is, there your heart will be also . With honesty and clarity, Pastor Putnam walks listeners through Scripture to show that tithing is not about fundraising, guilt, or earning God’s favor—it is about trust, surrender, and priority. From Jacob’s vow at Bethel, to the law of Moses, to Jesus’ own reaffirmation of tithing, this teaching reveals the tithe as a biblical principle that predates the Law and continues as a foundational starting point for faithful living. This sermon addresses common misconceptions head-on, explaining what tithing is not—a tip, a transaction, or a payment for blessings—and what it truly is: the returning of the first and best to God as an act of worship. Through practical illustrations and Scripture-based insight, Pastor Putnam challenges listeners to examine whether they are arranging their lives around God, or trying to fit God into what is left. At its core, this message declares that tithing is about lordship. It humbles us, breaks fear, builds faith, and realigns our hearts with the truth that God is our source—not our paycheck, possessions, or security. While salvation is by grace alone, this teaching makes clear that complete surrender includes every area of life, finances included. This message will challenge assumptions, strengthen faith, and invite listeners into greater freedom through obedience—not because God needs our money, but because He desires our hearts. To hear more about what God is doing in Sheboygan County and beyond, visit us at posc.church!
Episode Notes
Main Point: Tithing is not about money—it is about lordship. It reveals who truly sits on the throne of our heart.
- Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be also; money is one of the clearest indicators of spiritual allegiance.
- Tithing is not a pressure tactic, fundraising pitch, or guilt mechanism—it is a discipleship issue rooted in trust and surrender.
- A tithe means “one-tenth” and is a biblical principle established before the Law, affirmed in the Law, and reaffirmed by Jesus.
- Tithing is not giving—it is returning what already belongs to God, acknowledging Him as the true source and provider.
- God does not desire money motivated by fear or obligation, but hearts shaped by surrender and faith.
Key Scriptures:
- Matthew 6:19–24 – “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
- Genesis 28:22 – Jacob vows to give a tenth to God in response to relationship and lordship.
- Leviticus 27:30 – “The tithe… is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.”
- Deuteronomy 14:22–23 – Bringing the tithe teaches us to fear (honor) the Lord always.
- Malachi 3:10 – God invites His people to test Him in obedience through the tithe.
Major Themes:
- Lordship Over Ownership: We are stewards, not owners; everything we have comes from God.
- First and Best: Tithing is about priority—placing God first, not fitting Him in last.
- Faith Over Fear: Tithing confronts fear and control, replacing scarcity with trust in God’s provision.
- Discipleship, Not Transaction: We don’t tithe to earn salvation, remove guilt, or buy blessings—we tithe because God is Lord.
- Eternal Impact: God turns temporary resources into eternal outcomes when we give through His work.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I arranging my life around God—or trying to fit God into what’s left?
- Do my financial priorities reflect trust in God as my provider?
- What fears or control issues might God be asking me to surrender?
© 2026 POSC Podcast. All rights reserved.