Dear Ray,
I agree New Testament Giving has nothing to do with the mandatory Old Testament Law of tithing.
We are not obligated by law to give tithe or 10 percent of our income. New Testament giving should never be forced on anyone, however the spirit of the law is greater than the letter of the law, therefore, if people are taught properly about giving they should want or be willing to give even more than a mere tithe, or 10 percent of their income.
Jesus said, “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.� As we give to God we receive from God!
2Cor.9:6-10 says, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:� He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures for ever.� Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.�
The real problem is the sinful nature of man, which is selfish and doesn’t want to give to God a portion of what he has given them. People in general, rather spend their money in the way they want to, which is generally on them, instead of giving to God. 2Timothy 3:1-5 says, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such turn away!�
If you missed it man-kind will be or are, lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, it also said they would be proud, haughty, or full of pride, as well as unthankful. I have found this to be true due to our sinful human nature and have found most people to be like the rich young ruler in Matt.19:21 but forget about giving it all, they won’t even give a mere 10 percent back to God who gave it to them in the first place due to their greediness and un-thankfulness to the Lord. People are not like the poor widow, who gave her last two mites (Mark 12: 41 -44; Luke 21:1-4), people don’t want to give until it hurts; they tend to be tightwads, stingy, greedy. They should remember 2Cor.9:6, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.� They should also give from right motives, willingly and joyfully according to (2Cor.9:7). God never forces anyone to obey Him, He does not force or make us not fornicate; commit adultery, lie, or give, it is our choice to respond to Him in obedience or to disobey Him.
People have a tendency to seek out teachers who will tell them want they want to hear, or according to their own desires. 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.� Jude also warns us of ungodly men who will turn the grace of God into a license to sin (Jude 4). People must be taught and understand that the spirit of the covenant or law of grace is greater than the Law of Moses and because it is we should be willing to give even more than a tithe or 10 percent to God. If we fail to do this, then we empower people in their own greediness and selfishness, this causes people to miss out on the blessings of God, because He wants to bless His people. John prayed, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.�
The problem is people are not taught properly how to give. To give to God any amount is an act of faith, which requires we believe His Word, and that we trust Him to provide for us. Rom.14:23 says, “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.� The New Testament covenant of grace is greater than the law, and although we are not under the law or obligated to give we should be willing to give even more than a mere 10 percent of our income, but most are greedy and selfish and don’t want to give to God even 10 percent of their income! What about you Ray, are you willing to give to God at least a tithe or 10 percent and follow the example set by Abraham, who gave 10 percent by faith before the law was ever established, “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace…� (Rom.4:16). God knows your thoughts and the motives of your heart and you will have to give an account to Him for your giving, and well as what you teach others about giving.
Thank you for your time.
God Bless you,
Jeff
Jeff:
There is some truth in what you say: people are greedy. But let's not forget that pastors of churches are also people and many of them are EVEN MORE GREEDY than their parishioners. Do not assume that giving money to greedy men is giving anything at all to GOD. Show me one Scripture where God wants anyone's money? God wants you, not your money. If you will truly obey God, you will come OUT OF THE CHURCHES that teach you to give them your money.
God be with you,
Ray