TITHING AND GIVING
The
Bible teaches that believers should pay tithes and give offerings. Although we
are under grace, we are under the “law of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1-8). The law of
the Spirit, working in the life of the believer, will always direct the child
of God into obedience of the Bible. Any act of disobedience is the result of a
spiritual condition in one’s life.
Tithing
was an established practice long before the law was given. God wants the tithe
as evidence that His people recognize His love toward them. The withholding of
tithes and offerings by those who know better has caused many to be deprived of
spiritual nourishment and ministries they urgently needed. The believer pays
tithes because of the desire to please God in all things. This brings forth the
blessings of God. Consider the taxes that are paid for EMS, fire departments, schools,
local and federal government, military, and police. No one likes to pay taxes,
but when we need one of these services we expect them to be there for our
needs. Is the minister you depend on any less important, should he have to go
without? The Bible teaches that when Israel did not pay their tithes the ministers
were forced to flee into the fields to provide for their families:
Neh
13:9-12
9. Then
I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the
vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
10. And
I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled everyone to
his field.
11.
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken?
And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12.
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto
the treasuries.
Remember Paul said, “For it is written in the law of
Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.
Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For
our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and
that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope (1Cor 9:9-10).
If
the church is to fulfill its commission-which it will-it must be properly and
adequately financed. Tithing and giving is the method given to the ministry for
its means of financial provision. Our love for Christ and His church is to be
expressed by our obedience and faithfulness, not only in our service to Him but
also in our giving. According to recent statistics only about ten percent of
professing Christians in America tithe (all denominations) (https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/), (https://www.cdfcapital.org/tithing-generosity/).
“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s it is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30).
“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s it is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30).
“It is more blessed to give than to
receive” (Acts 20:35).
I.
TITHING (Mal.3:8-10)
A.
Tithing Preceded the Law: The first mention of tithing in the Scripture was
before the law covenant was given, when Abram gave Melchisedec “tithes of all”
(Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:2). Also, Jacob promised God a tenth of all that was given
to him (Gen. 28:22). Though neither Abram nor Jacob were commanded to do as
they did, it seems that their action was prompted by God, since the practice
has continued even until now, with God’s rich blessings.
B.
Tithing Under the Law: Leviticus shows that tithing continued under the law. It
was the commandment of the Lord by the mouth of Moses (Lev. 27:1, 2a, 30). It
was for the support of the ministry. The Levites, the priestly tribe, had no
land inheritance: “And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no
inheritance in. their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am
thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have
given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for
their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the
congregation...But the tithes of the children of Israel…I have given unto the
Levites to inherit...”(Num. 18:20, 21, 24). (See also 2 Chronicles 31:4-12;
Nehemiah 13:10-12; and Malachi 3:7-12.)
Tithing,
even under the law, was a carry-over from the pre-law era of Abraham: “And as I
may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was
yet in the loins of his father when
Melchisedec met him [Abraham]” (Heb. 7:9, 10). Levi was in the loins of Abraham
in that he was descended from him; thus, when Abraham paid tithes to
Melchisedec, Levi also paid him tithes. Apparently, this is telling us that
tithing is of God in every dispensation of time.
C.
Tithing Under Grace: The tithing commandment became mandatory under the law.
Paul explains, in Romans 5:20, that “…the law entered [came in alongside of
sin], that the offence [sin] might abound,” or that it might “become exceeding
sinful” (Rom. 7:13). Through men’s inability to keep the law, they would be
made to recognize their need of a Saviour. To the Galatians, Paul says it thus:
“It [the law] was added [alongside of sin] because of transgression, till the
seed [Christ] should come...” (Gal. 3:19). Grace came by Jesus Christ (John
1:17).
This
is all to show that the righteous principles of God’s law, or will, are
eternal, though under grace the individual has the liberty to choose to do right
on the basis of loving response to the God of love. The consequences of willful
disobedience must be faced eventually.
D.
The Blessing in Tithing: Though the blessing was promised during the law
dispensation, it is unthinkable that God would withhold it under grace. Through
the Prophet Malachi, God pronounced a curse upon the people for robbing Him of
tithes and offerings. On the other hand, He promised an overflowing blessing if
they would bring “all the tithes into the storehouse.” He challenged them to
prove Him, and allow Him to confirm His promise.
The
promise is no less true today, as any tithe-payer will agree. It is not ours to
demand of Him the form of blessing we want, but we may be assured that His
choice will be such that others will be able to see His favor upon His people:
“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land,
saith the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 3:12).
Should
not His “holy nation,” the church, be able to claim this favor? Surely it will
be so when “all the tithes” come in! Presumably, the “robbers of God” in the
midst have hindered this church-wide blessing in the past. As we consider Achan
he took of the fruits of the first city, Jericho, when Israel entered into the
land. He stole the tithe and caused Israel to lose the favor of God and stop
the progress of his people in the land until they took care of the sin.
E. How to Tithe: Romans 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection
for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do
ye. Upon
the first day of the week let every one of
you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him”….
Let the emphasis be on the word “all” the
tithes; not in the hypocritical Pharisaic sense, but in the sense of tithing
being a privilege and joy. We should ever keep in mind that the tithe is “holy
unto the Lord,” and should be handled accordingly. Deuteronomy 14:22 reads,
‘Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed. This means one’s net income after allowable
deductions, or the actual expense involved in producing the increase. This
would not include self-allotted “bonuses,” as it were. A good “rule of thumb”
is to set aside the tithes first upon receipt of income; and if one is tithing
his potato crop, for instance, the Lord should have the best (See Numbers 18:12)!
Jesus is the tithe, the first-fruit (1 Cor. 15:21, Prov. 3: 9-10). Remember what he said unto
Mary after he arose, “touch me not!” Consider what is being said and God will
give thee many blessings!
II.
GIVING (Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7)
A.
Blessing Promised: “Giving” is referred to as offerings, donations, or gifts.
These are separate from and in addition to our tithes. Neither should be
offered in place of the other. Offerings are generally “free will,” the giver
being at liberty to give when and where he will, and in the amount he chooses.
He is trusted to use good judgment and to obey the unction of the Spirit.
In
the church, the size of the congregation may have some bearing on one’s giving.
For instance, if the tithes are insufficient to provide a decent livelihood for
the minister, they should be supplemented by freewill offerings. One could
provide offerings from a selected Sunday for this purpose. Then there are
building needs and general upkeep and expenses.
A
major need is the support of missions, since this is the Lord’s “Great
Commission.” There are “home missions,” “world missions,” “prison missions”-on
and on.
Jesus
gave instructions about “almsgiving” in His Sermon on the Mount. (See Matthew
6:1-4.) “Alms” is defined as “money, food, clothing, etc., given to the poor”
(Webster). A little farther along, He admonished to lay up treasures in heaven.
This might mean, at least in part, the proper use of our finances.
As
to the blessing promised, He says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you good
measure, pressed down., and shaken together, and running over, shall men give
into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
B.
How to Give: First, as Jesus advised in the case of alms, the giving should not
be done for show or prestige. He advised anonymity in this case; adding that
those who give to be seen of men “have their reward.” The same advice applies
generally.
In
2 Corinthians, chapter 9, Paul was “boosting an offering” for the poor saints
in Judea or Jerusalem. He advised systematic giving-”make up beforehand your
bounty” so that a time-consuming “drive” would be unnecessary in the end. In
verse 6, he encouraged bountiful giving, showing that the generous giver may
expect a bountiful return. In verse 7, he speaks of freewill giving according
to individual ability. Also, he advises cheerful giving rather that giving
grudgingly, or of “necessity” because others are giving more.
Paul
reminded the Ephesian elders, “I have shewed you all things, how that so
laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
(See also Luke 14:12-14.)
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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