Tithing. One of the biggest complaints you hear from the non-Christian world is the church is always asking for money. And sadly, I'm sure for some churches that's true. And it certainly has been abused by unscupulous wolves in sheep's clothing. But for most churches, it's the way to exist and do the work of God. Buildings need maintenance, electric, water. Missions need funds. Tracts for witnessing are bought. Vacation Bible School supplies are bought. Food ministries, etc. There are many good and godly expenses in running a church. Many smaller churches have unpaid staff that work "real" jobs to support their families. Yet we see tithing as a dirty word when it was actually a God given system to support the work of the kingdom. Let's go to Mom's journal entry and see what she dug out of the Word.
Deuteronomy 14:22 “You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year.
From the footnote in Mom's Bible: The 'tithe" means 1/10th but what it is 1/10th of (net worth, yearly increase, etc), is not specified. The giving of the tithe is an act of worship to honor God as the Provider. Giving the tithe regularly teaches us to recognize and remember that our property is not of our own doing.
Acts 20:35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Cheerfully: willingly, good naturedd, joyfully.
Then read verse 8. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
From me.
In the Old Testament, God instituted the law of tithing. But in the New Testament we are no longer under the law. Does that mean we don't tithe anymore? No! The same needs that were present in God's kingdom and temple thousands of years ago are still the same needs that we see today. We give as we have ability and with a cheerful heart. We are not stuck with the 10% rule. If we can give more, we give more as our heart is led. God has given so much to us and it is our honor and privilege to give back to Him. Paul talks about this in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 8 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
God expects us to tithe. How little or how much is up to us. He desires us to have a generous spirit. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
As in all things, we are to be led by the Spirit in our giving. I believe that God puts different things on different hearts to support so that all the work in His kingdom can be done. Some will feed the poor, others will do maintenance on a building, some others will support or become a missionary to foreign lands or even closer to home....all starts with God, all is provided for be Him through our giving. And I don't only think of giving in terms of money. But what about our times and talents? It all comes from the Lord, and giving honors Him, shows gratitude for His provision. Don't make excuses! Give!
Lord, thank You for all Your provision. Our very breath comes from You. Forgive us for the times we hoarded Your blessings. Forgive any selfishness that may lurk in our hearts. We want to have generous hearts and live generous lives. How could we do any less when Jesus gave His all, His very life for us! Be glorified in our giving. Lead us in what and how much and when. Let us have listening ears and follow Your voice. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.
Give some thought to your giving. Are you on the right track?
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