The Beliefs of John Robert Stevens

John Stevens believed in the Old Testament principles of tithes and offerings. The law of tithing states that ten percent belongs to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30-33). We are to “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse” (Malachi 3:10). However, Stevens believed that tithing should never be done under compulsion, but in freedom as an act of faith. To confirm this belief, Stevens pointed out that the first tither was Abraham—around five hundred years before the Levitical law (Genesis 14:17-20). Abraham gave ten percent before there was ever a law about it. This is important because tithing should be a response to a revelation of the Lord, just as Abraham’s first tithe was. One of the ways Stevens characterized tithing was “buying an interest in the Kingdom.”¹

Your motive for tithing should not be based upon your desire to have God bless you by increasing your finances. That kind of thinking is entirely on the human plane. The real blessing of tithing begins when you have a revelation of the Kingdom of God, and therefore you invest in it; then the other nine-tenths also becomes God’s money, blessed by Him.²

There is a difference between tithes and offerings. Tithes are the basic ten percent of our increase that belong to God. Offerings are anything given by the believer that is above and beyond that ten percent (Deuteronomy 12:11).

Tithing is basic, but offerings go beyond that into sacrificial giving. Rarely do today’s Spirit-led believers stop with the tithe. They are moved to give to their brothers and sisters and to make sacrifices of a missionary nature.³

In relationship to the proper approach to tithing and giving, Stevens brought up the greatest commandment: that we love the Lord with all our heart, our mind, and our strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Tithing and giving should be an expression of our love for God. Stevens stated that giving is a part of worship, because it is an act of bringing everything we have and laying it before God; God doesn’t want your money as much as He wants you.

Stevens mentioned tithing 295 times in his written materials.
Stevens mentioned offerings 224 times in his written materials.