On a recent Sabbath at the Paris International Seventh-day Adventist Church, congregants listened as Adventist FFN Treasurer Pastor Erwin Kestner presented a message on tithes and offerings from a spiritual perspective. While tithing is commonly understood as returning 10 percent of one’s income, the sermon focused on its deeper purpose within the life of faith.
The message explored whether giving should be seen as a burden or a privilege, emphasizing that tithes and offerings are fundamentally spiritual. It highlighted that God does not depend on human resources, since all things already belong to Him.
According to the sermon, God established tithing primarily for the salvation and spiritual development of the giver. It serves as a tool to prepare believers for eternity, strengthen their relationship with God, and support their growth in faith. Tithing was described as a regular spiritual discipline that reminds believers that everything they possess comes from God, encouraging dependence on Him and recognition of human limitation.
Several key principles were outlined, including dependence on God, trust in His provision, and obedience. Giving was presented as a way to build trust, with the assurance that faithfulness does not lead to lack. Obedience was also emphasized, particularly in returning tithe faithfully to the designated storehouse.
The sermon addressed those responsible for managing tithes, stressing the importance of accountability, transparency, and integrity. Stewardship of church funds was described as a sacred responsibility requiring conduct above reproach.
Giving was further presented as an expression of love, reflecting the biblical principle that “God so loved the world that He gave.” In this sense, giving becomes one of the clearest demonstrations of love in action. Tithes and offerings were also described as participation in God’s work of salvation—an expression of trust, relationship, and spiritual connection rather than merely a financial system.
The pastor emphasised that the value of giving is not determined by the amount, but by the attitude behind it. Reluctant or resentful giving misses the purpose, as God desires willing hearts. In this way, giving reflects one’s relationship with God, revealing trust, surrender, and spiritual maturity.
Challenging the common perception of tithing as an obligation, the message encouraged believers to see it as a privilege—an opportunity for spiritual growth, a means of drawing closer to God, and a way to participate in His work.
The sermon concluded with a call to personal reflection, inviting each congregant to consider their approach to giving not as duty, but as an expression of faith, trust, and love.
By PISDAC Communications Team
Pastor Erwin Kestner delivering the message during the Divine Service at PISDAC on Sabbath, 4 April 2026.
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