Wednesday August 24, 2011

Read  Mark 12:41-44

 

WHAT to Give

Giving in the Old Testament: Tithing appears prior to the Mosaic law.  Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20, and after his dream, Jacob vowed to give a tenth to God (Genesis 28:20-22).  Under the Mosaic law, the Israelites were required to give not one, but three tithes.

 

Two of these tithes were annual, one for the Levites (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-24) and one for an annual feast in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5-6, 11; 14:22-27).  The third was a triennial tithe for aliens, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Thus, tithing under the law consisted of about 22 percent of one's income, not 10 percent as is usually supposed. In addition, the Israelites could give freewill offerings that were above and beyond these tithes (Exodus 25:2; Deuteronomy 12:6; Malachi 3:8).

 

Giving in the New Testament: The tithe is mentioned in the New Testament only in relationship to the Mosaic law (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12) and the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek to that of Levi (Hebrews 7:4-10). The law is no longer binding today (Romans 10:4; Gal. 3:24-25), and the New Testament does not apply the tithe to Christians.

 

Giving is now based on grace, not law. The New Testament provides two guidelines.

 

The first is that each believer should give proportionately ("as he may prosper," 1 Corinthians 16:2). The tithe was the least God ever asked anyone to give, and we may be wise to regard it as a minimum amount.  We are the most prosperous people who have ever lived, and our giving should reflect this.

 

The second guideline is that believers should give sacrificially.  Christ is the supreme example of sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:15), and Paul uses this in 2 Corinthians 8-9 as a model for us to follow. "For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord" (2 Corinthians 8:3; cf. 8:1-9; 9:5-15).

 

Sharing is an investment in eternity and an external testimony of an internal commitment.  As Mark 12:41-44 makes clear, there is a difference between convenient giving and costly giving. If God blesses us with material prosperity, He may want us to give more rather than buy more. Proportional and sacrificial giving for some Christians may be 10 %; for others, it may be 15, 25, or 50 %. In any case, consider raising the amount you share each year by one or two %.

 

"Now 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; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality" (2 Corinthians 8:10-11a).

WHEN to Give

Concerning Paul's collection for the believers who were poor in Jerusalem, he instructed the Galatians and Corinthians to "put aside and save" on "the first day of every week" (1 Corinthians 16:1-3). Giving should be planned and periodic, not erratic.

 

Some giving will be on an ongoing basis, but it is also a good idea to set aside money for special needs and projects that arise from time to time (Acts 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-27; 2 Cor. 9:3-5; Phil. 4:16-18; Titus 3:14). Money for giving should be set aside before you pay bills (Prov. 3:9). You may want to plan your giving with your family on Sundays so that it will be seen as a family outreach.

 

WHERE to Give

1. In addition to providing for their families, believers are responsible to support those who minister the Word (1 Corinthians 9:6-14; Gal. 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18), to share with believers in need (Acts 4:32-35; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15; Hebrews 13:16; James. 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17), and to provide for the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; 21:13; 28:27; Isaiah 58:6-7; Luke 3:11; 19:8-9; Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 4:28).

Prayer:

> Praise God for the freedom we have in this country that we can gather to worship and have many wonderful resources at our disposal.

> Pray that we will use these resources to help grow the Church and that we will always be open to opportunities to share the gospel with our friends and family.

>  Pray that others in the congregation are open to sharing the gospel and are willing to learn how best to approach people with His good news.