Week Six Giving Series

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

It is significant to say to those who hold tithing as a part of the law are incorrect for tithing preceded the law. It was Moses who received the law and not Abraham.

Galatians 3:15-18

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Paul uses the fact that the law does not disannul the promise made to Abraham of salvation by faith. Faith is before law. The law's only purpose was to show us our need for faith, grace, and mercy, which culminated in Christ. Tithing was before the law. If faith remains as our means of salvation then why cannot tithing remain as our means of funding the Church? Indeed, it is faith or grace giving and not legalism since it preceded the law.

III. FAITH GIVING OR PROVIDING FOR THE POOR AND

PERSECUTED SAINTS

The verses that are used by the grace giving or faith-giving adherents are really for providing for the poor and persecuted saints. Let us look at a couple of them.

Acts 11:28-30

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

I am going to build up to my point here. Note that these poor folks are in Judaea. Note also how an offering was provided for them. Every man according to his ability sent the money to them by representatives. In this case, Barnabas and Saul/Paul.

Galatians 2:9-10

9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Paul was exhorted to remember the poor. That was not a problem as they were already on his heart.

Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.