This morning, I want to engage in a little time travel. I want you to think about your fondest memories of attending church. Maybe it was a mission trip. Maybe it was a church experience participating in an exciting expansion project. Maybe it was a church cantata. Maybe it was a church context where they had the some of the best fellowship meals you have ever eaten. Maybe it was a Sunday school class or small group that you were a part of that became more like family than just friends. Maybe it was a series of revival meetings or a Bible study that you were in that changed your life. Now I’m not Nostradamus this morning, but let me make a prediction. I would predict that when recalling your fondest memories of church, not a single person thought: “My fondest memories of church are connected to every week when they would take up the offering.”
But despite the fact that while this was probably not on anyone’s list, there is no denying that Scripture teaches that a CHANGED heart will produce a GENEROUS heart. This morning, we are going to talk about GIVING, and for one simple reason. It’s because it’s the topic of 2 Corinthians 9—go ahead and turn there with me. And the reason we are going to teach through chapter 9 today is because the week before Easter we taught from chapter 8. And does anyone want to venture a guess what we’ll be teaching next week? That’s right – chapter 10.
And today we are going to focus specifically on verses 9-13, but before we do that I want to spend a little time teaching more broadly on the subject of giving. Because whether or not you are a regular church attender, there are always lots of questions about exactly WHAT the Bible teaches when it comes to this subject…Christians and non-Christians alike. In fact, if you’re brave enough to venture into the incredibly discouraging world of Christian Twitter, one of the trending topics that I’ve seen trending lately is with regard to the practice of tithing—specifically, is tithing an Old Testament idea or a New Testament idea…or both? Does tithing mean that I have to give exactly 10%? Don’t we live under grace now? Etc, etc, etc, you get the idea.
So let’s do a quick Bible overview on giving. The most known word in Christian circles as it relates to GIVING is the word “tithing.” So let’s start off in the Old Testament because that’s where we first encounter the concept of the tithe.
Old Testament (God’s covenant relationship with Israel): The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth.” The Israelites’ forefathers had long practiced a tradition of giving 10% and according to Genesis 14 and 28, they did so long before the command was ever written down as part of the Mosaic law in Leviticus 27. So for all the people that argue that the tithe was simply part of the Mosaic law that we’re no longer bound to under the law of grace, I would remind you that God’s people were tithing well before it ever became one of God’s people’s written rules. And later, when the tithe was actually codified into law, there were several other required offerings that when added up, came to roughly 23% of one’s income (and that didn’t even include the temple tax of the day or voluntary offerings). Some of you have never been more thankful to live under the new covenant of grace, Amen?
New Testament: Here’s the big GOTCHA question that people with a little bit of Bible knowledge like to ask their pastor: “Where in the New Testament does is say that Christians have to tithe (give 10%)?” Here’s what we have to be honest about—there’s not a verse in the NT that commands us to tithe. Now for some of you, you’re elated because you’ve been looking for a loophole. And some of you are mad because you feel like you have been duped for all these years. And some of you who serve on our Administration and Finance Team are incredibly anxious because you’re the ones that pour over our offering reports every week. But if we’re going to take a strong stand on not SKIPPING tough truths in the Bible, then we have to take an equally strong stand on not ADDING to the Bible.
Now what I am NOT saying this morning is that the issue is NEVER mentioned in the New Testament. We hear the Pharisees talking about it in parable in Luke 18 and we see the author of Hebrews mention it in Hebrews 7. But these aren’t great proof texts when you dig down and see that they were actually both set in an Old Testament context. But then Jesus speaks do this idea of TITHING in the Gospel of Luke. Listen to Luke 11:42: “But woe to you Pharisees for you tithe and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others (tithing) undone.” Just to be clear, Jesus is NOT saying to give up tithing so you can focus on loving others and doing justice. He’s saying, “It’s both/and NOT either/or.”
When I was a seminary student, I had a professor that used to say, “When you write a paper, I want you to have seven sources because I don’t care what YOU think. I want to hear from someone who knows what they are talking about.” So this morning, let me read you some comments from respected pastors other than Yours Truly:
Author and Pastor Matt Chandler: “The New Testament never commands the tithe, but the parallel gospel accounts assume it.”
Author and Pastor John Piper: “Jesus endorses tithing. Yet one might say that he is only talking to Jews in an essentially Old Testament setting. Maybe so, but there is another pointer that the principle was preserved in the early church. In 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 Paul says, ‘Do you know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple...’ In other words, he reminds the church that in the Old Testament economy the Levites who worked in the temple lived off of the tithes brought to the temple. Then he says in verse 14, ‘So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.’”
Piper then makes the following observation: “The least Paul is saying is that those who spend their lives in the service of the Word of God should be supported by the rest of the Christians. But since he draws attention to the way it was done in the OT as the model, it seems likely that tithing would have been the early Christian guideline, if not mandate.”
Pastor and author Tim Keller: “Jesus points to the Pharisees faithful tithing and says they nonetheless neglect justice and the love of god. He then says they indeed should do the former thing (tithing) but not neglect the latter. Jesus seems to assume tithing was standard practice.”
So we share all of this this morning to argue that it appears tithing was an “assumed practice” in the New Testament. But we also agree that it’s not quite as clear as some pastor would want you to believe them when they say “you HAVE to tithe to your church.”
Now full disclosure this morning—my wife and I do not tithe…if you’re stuck on the standard of a “tithe” equaling 10%. And here’s why we don’t tithe...I did the math last Thursday and we actually give over 13% of our gross income to the Lord’s work. And every year for the last decade, we’ve looked for ways to increase that percentage. Lord willing, when our youngest is done with college, we’ll be able to raise that amount to 15% and higher. A while back I came across this statement by Pastor Tim Keller: “If we are going to think about our relationship to the OT tithe, I’d do it like this. Surely we are more blessed than the OT saints. Why, then, would we assume we’d be expected to be less generous?” In other words, I don’t want to be out-given by some OT legalistic Jew when I've experienced the lavish grace given to me by Jesus under the New Covenant.
One of my favorite modern-day Bible scholars is D.A. Carson: “The question is not, ‘what’s the correct interpretation so that I can do whatever is required and then get on with my life.’ The question should be ‘How can I manage my affairs so that I can give more to the Lord’s work.’ Why not aim for 20 percent or 30?”
So before we get to the text this morning, let’s put the question to rest that asks, “Do I have to tithe?” Here’s the answer—under the New Covenant, you don’t have to do ANYTHING to be approved by God, because Jesus already accomplished that on your behalf. You see, the entire conversation when it comes to giving needs to move away from a debate about percentages and move towards a generous heart that has been radically changed by the gospel of grace. We teach this in every area of life – our habits are simply the overflow of our heart’s affections—and Jesus came to transform our hearts, not just reorder our habits. It’s our desire as pastors that the hearts of our people would be totally abandoned to God when it comes to generosity…that we would move away from debates about percentages and covenants and instead move towards a heart that says, “God’s it’s all yours, how much do you want me to keep?”
Well, that was just the pre-sermon this morning, so let’s quickly jump into the text while there’s still a chance to getting out on time, Amen?
2 Corinthians 9:6-13
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.”
For the sake of time, we are going to move through this passage a little more quickly than normal since we spent time teaching on giving from a broader perspective. But I don’t want to move so quickly that we don’t have time to address the flow of thought here in 2 Corinthians. This is where it is incredibly helpful to teach through an entire book of the Bible. Chapters 8 and 9 are chapters on generosity in general, and giving specifically. But they are preceded by the teaching on genuine repentance in chapter 7. And if you remember in chapter 7, Paul draws a distinction between the fruit of a truly repentant heart versus a person who is just sorry they got caught. But now, the first subject he addresses after teaching that in chapter 7 is the subject of generosity in chapters 8 and 9.
So here’s what we can conclude when we read this chapter in context with the rest of what we’ve studied so far: A heart that has been truly changed by Christ will be marked by generosity. Listen to this insight from one commentary, “Believers are called to be generous because of the example of the Lord of life. A stingy Christian should be an extinct species. Generosity proves that a person’s heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant Spirit of Jesus himself.” Amen! You see, as pastors, we’re not worried about what percentage that people in our church are giving. But here’s what we ARE worried about – the idea that someone would claim to be following Jesus but have not fruit of a generous life. That’s what is scary to us, because transformed hearts will take care of the percentage debate.
Three Biblical truths about generosity…
1. YOU CANNOT OUTGIVE GOD – vs. 6
There is a phrase that has been accepted in culture that actually originated in the verse 6. It’s the principle of reaping and sowing. Now this is not the prosperity gospel that says financial success is the evidence of God’s work in our lives. That is heresy because the early Christians were incredibly poor and yet God used them to change the world. The prosperity gospel wants to monetize God’s blessings but in reality, we don’t get to determine HOW God chooses to bless us, but verse 6 says that we do get to POSITION ourselves to participate in the process of being blessed.
Look at verse 6 again: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Notice in this verse the option is not between “giving” and “not giving.” The issue is how MUCH will you give. You can give “sparingly” and reap “sparingly,” OR you can give “bountifully” and reap “bountifully.” Listen to Jesus’ own words regarding reaping and sowing in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” All of these verses are teaching the same thing – you cannot out-give God. You can shovel as much into the Kingdom as you can, but God always has a bigger shovel. And his blessings given back to us far exceed the material. While God may bless you with financial gain, he is not required to as the prosperity gospel preaches. But he DOES promise to pour out blessing on the one who sows generously.
2. STOP GIVING IF YOU DON’T WANT TO GIVE – vs. 7
When was the last time you heard a pastor say that? Here’s why—look at verse 7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Every Christian has a personal responsibility to give, whether you are rich or poor or even in debt. Verse 7 begins by affirming the duty of Christian giving: “Each one must give.” The rest of the verse emphasizes the practice of Christian generosity, without directly mentioning how much the gift should be.
Again, this is not about percentages, this is about heart affections. He says we should give intentionally, willingly, and joyfully – all in verse 7. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart.” This is the only place in the New Testament that this word “decided” is used. It means “to choose before-hand.” In other words, your giving should be intentional—literally it says that you should “plan to give.” This means we don’t give as an emotional response to guilt. We give because we have chosen to do so beforehand.
There’s something else I want you to see that’s significant in the original language. Verse 7 emphasizes the importance of giving willingly followed by two negative phrases that are the direct opposite of a willing spirit. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly…” First of all, Paul says DO NOT GIVE RELUNCTANTLY. The word “reluctantly” is a compound Greek word that means “out of sorrow.” God does not want you to give with reluctance or resistance or resentment. That’s why I said earlier, if you are giving 10% and you really don’t want to, then stop giving. Your gift, no matter the amount, is not pleasing to the Lord. Now full disclosure – our Monday morning count team does not take to the time to measure your reluctance – if you put it in the plate, we will cash your check. But if the act of giving is to be an overflow of the heart, then no amount of giving that’s done with reluctance, resistance, or resentment pleases the Lord.
Then Paul gives us the second negative phrase: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion…” The word picture here in the original language is being forced to do something because you’re in a headlock. As we said at the beginning of this message, we are not under the law, forced to give. We are under grace. And until that grace transforms your heart into JOYFUL giving, then I would encourage you to stop giving because God is not honored by your gifts.
And then Paul ends verse 7 with the statement: “For God loves a cheerful giver.” This is one of those places that the English translation doesn’t do justice to the original Greek words. In the original language, the word that translates here as “cheerful” is actually where we get our English word “hilarious.” We should give hilariously. Giving should be fun. It should bring us great joy, not great resentment. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” One of the favorite things I read this week was by author Eugene Peterson: “The heart regulates the hands, but the hands reveal the heart.” So what does your giving, and the WAY you give, say about your heart?
3. GOD BLESSES US FOR A PURPOSE – vs. 8
Years ago I read this from Randy Alcorn in his book The Treasure Principle. Alcorn said, “When God blesses us with material resources, it’s not primarily to raise our standard of living, it’s to raise our standard of giving.” When I was reminded of this statement again this week, it was a little bit of a gut punch. Because when I get a Christmas bonus or come across some unexpected money, my first thought is usually “what can we buy” or “what experience can we do” with this extra money.
I want you to see the progression that takes place in verses 6, 7, and 8. Verse 6—you cannot out-give God; Verse 7—so give with the right heart. And then in verse 8—Paul is telling us what this will position us to do. In fact, I want you to see the cause and effect statement in this verse: “8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that (cause and effect) having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” According to verse 8, the effect of sowing generously with a joyful heart is that we may be well resourced for every good work. In other words, God blesses us so that we are in a position to bless others.
[Illustration of Rick Warren’s “Reverse Tithe”]
Now hear me clearly this morning – there is nothing wrong with enjoying excess money. But do not also be deceived into thinking that’s its SOLE PURPOSE is to raise your standard of living. In fact, he reiterates this again in verse 11: “You will be enriched in every way (and then listen why we will be enriched) to be generous in every way.” And then verse 13 says that to live this way is “an act of submission that comes from our confession of the gospel of Christ.” In other words, God blesses you to bless others, and even more, God is glorified in ALL of this because your generosity in giving is proof that you have surrendered your life to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As we wrap up this morning, if application is the dessert of a good sermon, then we don’t want to be just meat and potatoes today. So what are some practical ways we can apply these truths this morning?
• Make sure God’s priority is your priority
Since the local church is the primary source of teaching, it should be the primary recipient of your kingdom giving. But the context of chapter 9 is that Paul was collecting an offering, not for the local church in Corinth, but for the church that was suffering back in Jerusalem. I told you our family gives a little over 13% to kingdom works, with approximately 11% going to our local church and 2% going to other gospel works. For 20 years now, we’ve been fed here at LHC so THIS is where we focus the majority of our giving. Furthermore, I believe deeply that the local church is the ONLY God-ordained organization in the Bible, and so for our family LHC is given priority when we plan our giving.
• Practice progressive sanctification
Just like any other spiritual discipline, start where you’re at but commit to grow from there. If you’re not currently a consistent giver, it’s probably foolish to think that starting next week you’re going to give 13% of your income. So if you’re a non-giver, become a CONSISTENT giver. And if you give consistently, seek to grow that percentage to where your heart’s desire is total abandonment to Jesus and his mission.
• Give your heart to Jesus first
The Bible says that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He doesn’t NEED your money. In fact, we learned today that he doesn’t even WANT your money if you don’t give it with the right heart. But make no mistake. He DESPERATELY wants your heart. “For God so loved the world that he gave!” That’s real generosity – Jesus became poor, so that we might become spiritually rich. Won’t you give him your heart today?
