'Godly Giving'
The Tithe
Intro
Let me ask you a question: Do you like change? No, I don't mean the coins in your pocket. I mean change as in doing something different. Most of us don't like change because doing something different can be uncomfortable.
It's the same with Godly Giving. You need to understand and apply what the Bible says about giving. This means you may need to "change" some of your giving practices. Are you willing to experience some discomfort as you learn more about "Godly Giving?"
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We'll spend several times together talking about "Godly Giving." During these times together we'll talk about the tithe, giving beyond the tithe, then answer some of the most common questions that surround "Godly Giving" (how much is the tithe, do we give on the net or the gross, with whom are we to share, and many more).
The tithe and religious folklore.
As you begin to consider the tithe, one of the first things you need to do, is to do away with some "tithing" religious folklore. On one extreme are those who believe tithing is legalism meant only for the Old Testament Jew. Not so, according to the New Testament.
The other extreme is the New Testament legalese that considers the tithe above almost anything else, even to the point that tithing is required to be a Christian. Here the theory is that tithing assures spirituality. This also is not true. Remember what Christ said about the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23? He condemned their self-righteousness because even though they tithed down to the last mint leaf in their garden, they left other things undone–such as living in truth and love.
I believe a brief Bible survey will help show you that the truth about the tithe lies somewhere in between these two extremes.
In Genesis 14:20 and Hebrews 7:1-10, Abram (later Abraham) tithed to acknowledge God's ownership. Abram was not legalistic because Abram had no law. The written law did not come around until Moses some 430 years later. Abram tithed because he loved God and was convicted that everything (including Abram's son Isaac) belonged to God.
In Deuteronomy 14:23 you are told to tithe to learn to revere God (to learn to fear the Lord our God).
Then in Proverbs 1:7 you find "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." To me this means that if you look for ways to be wise with your finances, you should first look to God. According to God, one of the best ways to seek such wisdom is through tithing. You tithe a part of the whole, receive wisdom to manage all that remains, then find that all that remains goes so much farther that the whole ever did.
In Malachi 3:8-10, God surrounds the tithe with both a blessing and a warning. "Trust Me, bring to Me the full measure of your tithes and offerings that I may open the storehouse for you and give it back." You can clearly see the blessing of the opened storehouse. But, don't miss the warning not to withhold from God what He asks–the tithe.
If you carefully search the Bible, you will find that the New Testament Jew often gave as many as three tithes: 10% a year to the Levites, 10% a year to the Jewish widows and orphans, and every third year 10% to help feed the gentile widows and orphans. This averages to 23.3% a year. The New Testament Jew knew about tithing.
In 2nd Corinthians 9:7 you find, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Here you can see that God is concerned with the attitude of your heart, not the amount you give. He is concerned about the condition of the container, not the contents. God desires are for your heart, your love, your devotion and your passion, not your money.
Then in Romans 11:35 you find, "Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?" God is under absolutely no obligation to ever repay to you what you give Him. He may and often does. He may choose to bless you in any way He chooses. His blessing choices are just that—His choices.
You find four tithing truths from these and other tithing verses in God's Word.
* Your tithe is a testimony of God's ownership.
* As the result of tithing you can expect God to bless you with wisdom and other blessings as well.
* You are cautioned to give freely with a cheerful heart.
* God is under no obligation to return blessings in kind--to return dollar-for-dollar. He chooses the blessings and His choices are always best. Basically, you do not tithe to get close to God; you tithe because you are already close to God.
Are you comfortable with these Biblical principles? Next time we'll cover more principles, present some practical applications, and answer some specific "giving" questions.
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Bob Louder is the Founder and President of Christian Financial Ministries (www.good-steward.org). Bob is also the author of the new best selling book, "Debt Free Living God's Way," available only on the Internet (www.debtfreelivinggodsway.org). Since 1987 Bob has helped people in hundreds of churches all across the country and in the European military community learn, understand, apply and pass on "Debt Free Living God's Way" principles and practical applications. He has represented some of the top Christian financial authors and ministries to include Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey, Christian Financial Concepts, and Crown Ministries.
Copyright 2006 Christian Financial Ministries, Inc., All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this "Special Report" in whole or in part without permission from Christian Financial Ministries, Inc. Please credit material used to Christian Financial Ministries, Inc.
