There was some discussion on a thread on my Facebook wall regarding Tithing/giving etc. Kind of the same old debate that has been raging for years. Is tithing something under the Old Testament and therefore are churches wrong for preaching it etc? My theology on it, is that yes tithing is Old Testament…but its not quite that simple. Here is a thought from www.letusreasontogetherministeries.com
'Tithing for Israel is not the same as the tithe that we hear of today– in fact tithing was rarely money. There were three tithes in the Old Covenant. More often tithes were the crops, the produce of the soil was to be tithed, grains, the fruit of the trees, every year new wine and oil, the firstborn of their herds and flocks (Leviticus 27:30-33). If the place the nation of Israel were to tithe to was too far away to carry their goods (such as Jerusalem), it could be exchanged for money. They were to use their money to buy anything the owner chose: cattle, sheep, wine (Deuteronomy 14:22-26). Every third year the tithe was to be reserved as a festival tithe where they brought out all the tithe, and their produce where the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, the widow, the poor who were in their town, could come and eat and be content (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-15).
By the nation Israel tithing under the Law of Moses, they were to trust God acknowledging that everything belongs to Him. It is impossible to tithe as given to Moses, for it was mostly agricultural. The tithes were not gifts, they were taxes, tithes were given in addition to other numerous offerings which ended up to be over 22% (not just 10%). Under the law if you were only giving 10 percent on your tithes you would still be robbing God. One tithe was used to support the Levites (Numbers 18:21-32), who were not allowed to own property like the other tribes of Israel. However, this tithe from the people brought to the Levitical priests was not just money. The goods the Levites received would provide their living for their work in the tabernacle. They also were to tithe on part of the goods that they received, and were to dedicate to the Lord a tenth to the office of the high priest (Numbers 18:21-28). It was the Levites who were to “bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse” (Nehemiah 10:38). The Malachi 3:8 passage is not rebuking the people, he is rebuking the Levites for keeping the tithe that went to them. 1 Timothy 1:5-7 “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.” The New Testament teaches grace giving, tithing was not a freewill cheerful giving, it was a commandment in Moses’ law to a nation under God, Israel. Nowhere in the New Testament does it require any obligation or a legal portion of ones income.'
End Quote
I personally use 10% as a starting point and a guide. Its not a law. My attitude is that if they gave around 10% under law – shouldn’t we be even more generous under grace? But the broader issue is the motive behind my giving.
So here are the reasons why I love giving into a local church and have done for the last 25 years.
To put it simply, I want to be obedient to the Word of God and in 2 Corinthians 9:7 it say that each person gives as he purposes in his heart and I want the purpose of my heart to be obedient.
I honour God with my increase as Proverbs 3:8-9 says. So its an act of worship.
In stirs my faith.
It simply feels good. Its great being a giver and there is a tremendous feeling that comes from consistently sowing.
I want to be engaged with the Kingdom of God and where my treasure is there will be my heart, according to Matthew 6:21, so it increases my engagement.
I understand the natural costs associated with running a church and love having a place to bring my family to worship. I love how we have safe, clean facilities, a nice cafe etc and I want to help meet the costs of running the church so that it is financially viable. Its simply the mature, responsible thing to do.
My giving, in ensuring the financial viability of the church now, sets it up to still be a place of blessing in 20 years time. So through my giving, I am investing into the future blessing of the House of God.
My giving speaks loudly of what I think of the local church
I give as it makes my life and its influence bigger than the day to day context in which I live. As I support a local church, all the impact the church has through its ministries and missions, I have a sense that I have contributed in part to making that all happen. Its like I am a shareholder in the church’s influence.
I love building generosity around my life. Too many people I meet live with a scarcity mentality. They are scare about encouragement, about optimism, about faith, about money etc etc. I am committed to building generosity around my life in all areas.
I give as I love modelling generosity to my daughters.
I give as its an antidote to my life succumbing to the materialism push of a very consumer orientated society. Committing a portion of each pay and each increase to God, is a way of making a statement that money is not my God.
Giving allows me to set right priorities and make sure what is important to me stays at the top of the list. Every time I give, its a priority statement.
My giving keeps my life focused on others and that my friend is the richest way to live.
I give because I understand it has spiritual implications. Malachi 3:10 – talks about how giving opened the windows of heaven. I know this is relating to Tithing, but it still shows that there is causal link between giving and what’s happening in the spiritual realm
I give because what goes around comes around – Luke 6:38 Give and it will be given to you.
I want to harness the power of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
I understand its more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
I give as I am blessed and so it is my responsibility to bless others. I love the quote. The man with no shoes cannot give his shoes to the man with no shoes. I have shoes…
I give as I want to be someone’s answer. Love this quote: – We can’t do everything – but we can do something and this something we must do
I want to reflect the character of God and his character is that of a generous giver. The problem we have is that we get to thinking that God is the great taker – He wants my life, He wants my money, He wants this and He wants that – and while it is true we are called to give all we have and are to Him, we have to realise that God is the great giver. Everything He created was designed to reflect His giving nature – the Sun gives heat, the clouds give rain, trees help provide oxygen, the earth gives resources – on and on it goes, everything that God created reflects God’s generous spirit – except humanity. We cling to what is ours and refuse to give it up. Well not me. I want to reflect his generosity – in the best way I can.
God Loves a cheerful giver and I want to do what delights God’s heart.
I give because it was modelled to me by my parents and significant others in my life as a young Christian and so I learnt from mature Christians
I give because it is an acknowledgement that God has given me everything in life and I will give him back a portion as a thank you.
I have found that generally, people who want to argue about giving are looking for a way out of having to do it. I don’t have to give. I want to give. I give cheerfully. Thank you God for all that you have given to me.
