A common question when Christians are discussing giving is "Are Christians required to give a tithe, or a tenth of their earnings?"

Before we have a discussion about the tithe, which is a discussion about how much, we should establish whether or not Christians should give at all. Both the Old and New Testament have many passages about money and giving. Under the law, giving was commanded.

But what about Christians today who are under grace and not the law? Under grace, giving is an expression of and an indication of the heart.

Let's say that again: under grace, giving is an expression of and an indication of the heart.

1. Our giving begins with the recognition that we truly own nothing. In Psalm 24:1, we learn that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." We are, therefore, stewards of all that we have. Our generosity in giving is a demonstration of God's character and our response to what He has done for us.
2. Jesus expects Christians to give. In Matthew 6:2, He says, "when you give," not if you give: "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
3. We have instructions to give to those who labor full time in the ministry and to poor saints, including windows, and to other churches in need. Our giving funds the local ministry and assists with other Christian ministries in the spreading of the Gospel.
4. Giving is an act of worship. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul instructs the Corinthians to include the taking up of the collection as a part of their regular Lord's Day worship. "Now about the collection for the Lord's people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come, no collections will have to be made."
5. This is a practice that continues in churches today. We don't "pass the offering plate" at Celebration as many churches do, but we do have an Offering Box located in the rear of the worship area, near the entrance/exit of our meeting room.
6. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we learn about our attitude in giving. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
7. Again, our giving is an expression of and an indication of the heart.

That brings us to the question of "how much should we give?" and the question of "are Christians required to give a tithe?" These questions alone show we have missed the meaning of the New Testament giving.

The one question includes the word "required." Remember what we learned in 2 Corinthians: our giving should not be reluctantly given or under compulsion.

So what do Christians under grace do with the tithe?

1. Before the Law, there was the understanding that the tithe belonged to God. We have examples of Abraham and Jacob giving the tithe.
2. Under the Law, tithing was required, but there was still an understanding that the tithe belonged to God. A clear indication of that fact is the often-quoted verse from Malachi 3:8: "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and offerings."
3. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, we also learned that our giving should be deliberate, regular, and proportional (meaning according to one's income: the one who has more gives more; the one who has less gives less). This implies one must set some percentage as a starting point to give. Though one gives more and another less, proportionally, the giving is the same.
4. Example: One person has $100 and gives 10% (or $10). Another has $50 and gives 10% ($5).
5. Our giving is based on what we have, not on what we don't have.
6. The principle that the tithe belongs to God has not been abolished. However, remember Christians are not to give reluctantly or under compulsion. If you look at the tithe as a requirement, you have missed the motivation of Christian giving. It should, however, be every Christian's goal to give back that which belongs to God. A good guide in our giving, then, is to give at least a tithe (tenth).
7. The practice of tithing provides a regular reminder of our dependence on God. In good times, tithing helps us remember that God is the source of all blessings, and it allows us to demonstrate our gratitude for His care. In hard times, tithing motivates us to remember God's faithfulness, and it enables us to demonstrate our trust in God to provide for all our needs.

There are Promises for faithful giving, by the way.

1. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul says, "Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." In 9:8, Paul continues, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work." In 9:10-11, Paul closes with, "Now he who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way, so you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
2. These are two great promises to those who are faithful in their giving! But note: these promises are not promising riches, but rather that God will "bless you abundantly." Why? So you can "abound in every good work" and "be enriched in every way." Why? So you can "be generous on every occasion."
3. In Malachi 3:10, God says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
4. This is a significant verse. Generally, the scriptures state it is wrong to test God. But here God says, "Test Me."
5. In Luke 6:38, there is a close parallel to Malachi 3:10, where Jesus says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap." Don't miss this next sentence! "For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

So the basic questions for Christians: Do we really believe God will provide for our needs? Do we really believe in God's promises?

Tithing is an act of faith.

Recognizing that our giving should be deliberate, regular, and proportional, if your goal is to be faithful in your giving, begin the process. You don't need to go from zero to 10% overnight. Start trusting God with 2%, 3%, or 5% of your income as a starting point. Then, as you experience for yourself that God's promises are true, increase your giving until you reach the goal of "giving back to God that which belongs to Him."

Finally, there are countless stories of Christians who can testify that God has blessed their faithfulness in giving. Stories even here in our own congregation!

We'll leave you here with this saying concerning the use of resources available to each of us:

"90% with God is more than 100% without God."

God Bless.

Sincerely,

C3 Treasurer

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