To Tithe or Not to Tithe #5? … Just Give
This is a multi-part article. Please start from Part 1
2 Corinthians 8 (NIV)
1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
The New Testament principle is giving from the heart, cheerfully, out of love and in light of Christ’s sacrifice. We must give in secret in order that the father who sees in secret may reward us openly. Those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly. The rich are to give of their abundance in readiness and the poor out of their poverty, sacrificially. These principles and attitudes are listed below.
Principles for Christian Giving:
1) Give of yourself to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 8:5
2) Give according to your ability. Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 8:12
3) Give regularly. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
4) Give as a ministry 2 Corinthians 9:12-13
5) Give as unto the Lord and not to be noticed by men. Matthew 6:2-4
Attitudes when Giving
1) Give willingly. 2 Corinthians 8:12
2) Give cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7
3) Give out of love. 2 Corinthians 8:24
4) Give thankfully. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
5) Give with a pure motive. Matthew 6:2-4
6) Give generously. 2 Corinthians 9
7) Give honestly. Acts 5: 1-11
Conclusion
Tithing is a deeply engrained tradition, reinforced each week by preachers all over the world, so it is not surprising many believers assume this is the requirement for giving.
Serious study of God’s Word however suggests that God is more interested in us doing things freely rather than under compulsion. As stated earlier, the New Testament is about giving from the heart, not grudgingly or of necessity but out of love and in light of Christ’s sacrifice.
I am not against anyone giving 10% to their Church … my concern is why they tithe. Do you tithe because you feel you ought to, because you want to or because its the tradition of your Church?.
I give more than 10% to Christian causes because I believe my giving will help establish God’s Kingdom on earth (not because I am afraid of a curse). God is not necessarily interested in percentages, He is more interested in YOU because once He has you, He can have all you have.
To tithe or nor to tithe? My response is GIVE … give generously, give lovingly and give with a pure motive to further the kingdom of God.
Be blessed!
For those who wish to research this further, I recommend that you read ’Beyond Tithes & Offerings’ by Mitchell T. Webb .
You can find it in mylittlebookshop or in selected bookshops.
