Personal Responsibility
Taking personal responsibility in giving is essential, and we should not make excuses for not tithing.
Arthur Vess addresses the excuse of not tithing due to not handling money at home, emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility in tithing regardless of who manages the finances. He highlights the equal rights of spouses in tithing, especially when one partner stays at home while the other works. Vess stresses that excuses are not valid until one has truly given their best effort. Additionally, he mentions the parental role in teaching children to tithe and the responsibility to tithe on behalf of children if they receive income.
Text
8. Excuse Eight: "I would tithe, but I do not handle the money at our house." This may be true in some cases, but would you tithe it if you had a chance? Do you tithe the amounts that you do get? The wife has equal rights with the husband in the tithe if she keeps the home while he keeps the shop or works away. We are excused after we have done our best, but not before. In case of children the parents should teach, and if necessary, require them to tithe until of age. If the parents received the pay of the child, they should tithe it.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction
- A. Importance of personal responsibility in giving
- B. Excuses for not giving
- II. Tithing in the Home
- A. Equal rights for husband and wife
- B. Responsibility of parents to teach children
- III. Taking Responsibility
- A. Doing our best
- B. Not making excuses
Key Quotes
“We are excused after we have done our best, but not before.” — Arthur Vess
Application Points
- We should take responsibility for our giving and not make excuses.
- Communicate with your spouse about giving and find a solution that works for both of you.
- Teach your children the importance of tithing and require them to do so until they are of age.