Podcast Summary

Podcast: River Valley Church
Episode: Message | Biblical Stewardship: Is God My Source – Pastor Kirk Graham
Date: February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode launches River Valley Church’s annual giving series with a focused conversation on biblical stewardship and tithing. Pastor Kirk Graham hosts a panel featuring church members Carl Sharperson and Megan Holly, who share their personal tithing testimonies, followed by a scriptural teaching on the origins and heart of tithing. The episode aims to encourage listeners to view God as their ultimate source and embrace the tithe as a faith discipline rather than a legalistic duty.

Testimonies: The Joy and Impact of Tithing

(00:00 – 09:24)

Carl Sharperson’s Story

• Background and Shift: Carl explains he grew up tithing “on the net,” but a conversation before COVID made him realize he should tithe “on the gross.”

  “We pay our taxes right off the gross, so why not give God 10% off the gross as well?”
  (00:44, Carl)

• Benefits Beyond Finance: He describes the resulting joy and peace, referencing scriptures on God rebuking “the devourer.”

  “I know that I’m walking in victory because I’m under the umbrella and the shield of the tithe and God promises to cover us.”
  (03:18, Carl)

• Personal Growth: Tithing catalyzed spiritual and relational change—greater humility, deeper discipleship, improved relationships, and ultimately, financial freedom:

  “Because I continually submit to the tithe, it’s easy for me to say, you know what, I was wrong. … Let me come back in alignment with you. … We are debt free. … Recently, I just got my dream job and it’s—let me tell you, tithing works.”
  (04:47–05:49, Carl)

Megan Holly’s Journey

• Mission Impact: Megan’s passion for tithing was ignited during a missions trip to Turkey, where she realized how few Christians tithe regularly.

  “The number that they gave was so low that I think I audibly gasped. … There’s no way I can stay quiet about this. We need to be talking about this every week, all the time.”
  (01:32, Megan)

• Tithing in Hard Times: She recalls times of scarcity in her marriage but choosing consistent giving:

  “There were definitely times in the beginning of our marriage where I would be like, what are we doing? We’re eating creamed corn at the end of the month because we have no money, but we kept consistently giving. And I’ve never not felt joy.”
  (02:43, Megan)

• God’s Response: Tithing, for her, brought blessing in the form of support, safety, and spiritual growth—even outside of finances.

  “We’re trusting the Lord for these things. And he’s providing them, he’s giving us safety, he’s coming around us when we need support.”
  (04:06, Megan)

Practical Encouragements

• Tithing as Authority: Pastor Kirk emphasizes tithing as an act of placing oneself under God’s authority. He challenges men, in particular, to find freedom and breakthrough by surrendering financially.

  “I hear a lot of men, they’re like, why? I don’t wanna do this … There’s a breakthrough for a lot of the men in our church to say, I wanna come under the authority, I wanna honor God, that he is my source.”
  (05:49, Pastor Kirk)

• Giving Where You Worship: Carl draws a sharp connection between where you pray and where you tithe.

  “You tithe to who you pray to. … If you pray to Jesus Christ, then you should tithe to Jesus Christ. And the church is the bride of Christ.”
  (06:48, Carl)

• Simplicity and Mission: Megan keeps it simple:

  “Tithing will change your heart, but it will also change the world.”
  (08:05, Megan)

Teaching: The Biblical Theology of the Tithe

(09:24 – end)

The Principle of the Tithe—From the Beginning

• Why the Church Teaches Tithing: Pastor Kirk underlines River Valley’s unashamed belief in the tithe, describing it as a kingdom principle operating far beyond finances—impacting every area of life.
• Kingdom Principles:
  • Manna in the wilderness: God provides just enough and teaches trust.
  • The story of Gideon: God brings about great victory with few resources when people trust Him.
• Glory to God:

  “What is the glory that God has given you? … It’s the gifts and talents that he’s placed in your life and as an exchange for your gifts and talents in the marketplace … is an income.”
  (13:30, Pastor Kirk)

Scriptural Foundations for Tithing

• Genesis 14 (first tithe):

  • Abraham gives a tenth of his victory spoils to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God.
  • Abraham’s motive: Refuses an offer from the king of Sodom so that only God can get credit for blessing him.

  “Abraham honors the Lord by giving 10%. … The king of Sodom… he is trying to get some leverage… but Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I would not take a thread or a sandal strap… lest you should say I have made Abram rich.’”
  (16:45–18:20, Pastor Kirk)

• Pre-Law, The Law, and New Testament:

  • Tithing precedes Mosaic Law (Abraham tithes, Genesis 14).
  • It's affirmed in the Law, and Jesus references tithing in Matthew 23:23.
  • The New Testament calls for cheerful, generous giving (2 Corinthians 9:6–7).

The Heart of the Giver

• Cheerful Giving (2 Corinthians 9:7):

  “God loves a cheerful giver. Capital One asks, ‘What’s in your wallet?’ God asks, ‘What’s in your heart?’”
  (23:05, Pastor Kirk)

• Melchizedek as a Type of Christ:

  • The encounter in Genesis 14 points to Jesus as ultimate King and High Priest.
  • The bread and wine symbolize Christ’s sacrifice.

• Comparison of Attitudes:

  • The King of Sodom and Judas (in the New Testament) give the illusion of generosity for selfish gain, contrasted with Abraham’s humble, God-honoring spirit.

Living Out Stewardship

• Living Sacrifice:

  “It’s now not about murder… now we got to watch our anger. … Jesus lifts the conversation.”
  (30:35, Pastor Kirk)

• The Call to Radical Trust:

  “There is nothing in my life … that we should not be willing to say, God, you can have it all. You can have it all.”
  (21:55, Pastor Kirk)

Malachi 3 and the Blessing of Tithing

• God’s Promise:
  • God invites Israel—and all believers—to “return to Me” by bringing the full tithe.
  • He promises to “open the windows of heaven” and rebuke the devourer (Malachi 3:10–11).
• Visible Blessing:

  “When you live this principle out, there will be people [who] say, ‘I don’t understand yet it seems like you got everything together, like God… must be taking care of you.’”
  (28:40, Pastor Kirk)

Notable Analogy: "What Room Does Jesus Get?"

• Pastor Kirk asks listeners, if Jesus came to stay, would you give Him the tent in the yard or the best room in the house? This illustrates giving God—not just leftovers—the first and best of our lives, including finances.

  “Christ… to have the best of rooms, give him the choice. ... The best of all’s the heart.”
  (34:10, Pastor Kirk)

Memorable Quotes & Key Timestamps

• “Do you want gross help from God or net help from God?”
  (01:16, Pastor Kirk)
• “I just feel like I’d rather eat creamed corn, not tithe.”
  (03:01, Pastor Kirk)
• “You tithe to who you pray to. … If you pray to Jesus Christ, then you should tithe to Jesus Christ.”
  (06:48, Carl)
• “Tithing will change your heart, but it will also change the world.”
  (08:05, Megan)
• “God loves a cheerful giver. Capital One asks, ‘What’s in your wallet?’ God asks, ‘What’s in your heart?’”
  (23:05, Pastor Kirk)
• “Abraham didn’t bring it to Melchizedek, he brought it to Jesus. And when you bring your tithe to the local church … you bring it not to that church, you bring it to Jesus and he receives your offering.”
  (32:00, Pastor Kirk)

Key Segments and Timestamps

• Testimonies & Tithing in Everyday Life:
  00:00 – 09:24
• Teaching Begins: Why Tithe?
  09:24 – 13:00
• Scriptural Foundation: Abraham, Melchizedek, and the Nature of Giving:
  13:00 – 23:00
• The New Covenant & The Heart Attitude:
  23:00 – 30:00
• Practical Challenge, Malachi 3, and Call to Decision:
  30:00 – end

Final Takeaways

• Tithing is a heart posture, not just a transaction.
• It precedes the Law and is affirmed by Jesus—aiming not for legalism but joyful obedience.
• God as our source: Adopting a stewardship mindset multiplies impact far beyond finances.
• The challenge: Give God not only the best “room” in your budgets, but the best of your heart.

For more information or to get involved, visit River Valley Church.