Giving
I. Give Bountifully
(2 Corinthians 9:6-15 –Why?)
(1) Because if we sow sparingly
we will reap sparingly and if we sow bountifully we will
reap bountifully (We will reap what we sow – v.6-9)
It is no doubt
that we reap what we sow. This is a statement of fact
sort of in harmony with the rule of cause and effect.
In a sense we are going to get in our lives (and this
may not be in material areas) what we richly deserve because
of how we have given to the Lord. So what we do to a degree
effects how we are being blessed in the future. How we
give to a degree effects how we will be given to in the
future.
However, we must
remember that God is sovereign. He is the supreme independent
power and authority. He does what He wants, when He wants,
how He wants and for whom He wants. So our attitudes should
not be giving to get from God or a special emphasis on
numbers and amounts, but to give of all that we have and
are to Him cheerfully and generously without reservation,
leaving what we will receive from that act of obedience
in His hands. The key word here is balance!
In short, giving
should become a natural inclination of the Christians
heart - which is the opposite of selfishness. It is better
to give than receive.
Other Support
Proverbs 11:24-26;
Luke 6:38; [Gal 6:7 (sowing to the flesh reap corruption
- sowing to the Spirit reap eternal life)]
(2) Because
God is glorified - (2 Corinthians 9:11-13)
When we are obedient
in our giving it causes the recipient’s to glorify and
thank God.
II. Give Proportionately
(Support - 1 Corinthians
16:1, 2)
Background
In 1 Corinthians chapter sixteen
Paul is collecting money for Jewish believers who were
suffering in the land of Judea because of famine and ostracism
from the Jewish society because of their faith in Christ.
He’s collecting an offering among Gentiles and Jews. Giving
and the collecting of offering is connecting to the worship
and celebration of God; and this is to be done the first
day of every week. So if we get paid once a month or bi-weekly
we should spread it out over the course of each week as
a reminder of this verse. Everyone can and should participate
in this act.
Grammar
The phrase "put aside"
assumes that we get to keep some. Many believe we should
give it all because that’s what they did in the New Testament.
However, the Christians in Acts gave voluntarily to meet
a special need. It was not a requirement but we can learn
a principle from them by caring for each other.
Standard
The standard for proportionate
giving is as the individual prospers (1 Cor.16: 2). The
phrase "lay up" or "store up" (thesaurizo
in the Greek) means to reserve with a view to help a special
case or need. The words "storehouse, store chamber
and chamber," (tameion in the Greek), mean
any private or inner room, secret chamber or closet. See
Matt.6: 6; 24; 26; Luke 12:3,24 for other references of
how this word "inner room" is used.
Various View Points
(1) Now to a Jewish person, the
storehouse brings to mind the temple. Malachi 3:10 states
"bring the whole tithe into the storehouse."
Most of us grew up thinking that the storehouse and the
church is the same place and that anything we give to
other ministries is over and above the tithe. The problem
with this view is that the storehouse is only a part of
the temple not the temple itself - sort of like a basement,
attic or room of some kind.
(2) Then, there are others that
believe that tithing has no impact on us today whatsoever.
They say "there is no longer a temple and that our
bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit." The church
is called a temple and a building and habitation for God
and the symbolism is carried over into the New Testament.
Our bodies are called the temple of the Holy Spirit and
the corporate body of believers is considered to be the
temple of the living God—a house in which God dwells and
manifest His fullness.
(3) Some say that the command to
"bring all the tithes into the storehouse" is
under the law and that Christians are under grace. Many
authors say that there are three types of tithes—two that
were approximately 20% of ones income to be given every
year. Then a third one that was given every three years
that acted as sort of a built-in welfare system for widows,
orphans, strangers and non-priestly Levites. If you take
the third tithe and spread it out over three years, a
person is giving about twenty-three and one third percent
of their income. This view is not to clear in the Bible.
Even in the Torah (which is the number one modern-day
commentary of Hebrew) tithing is baffling.
II. Give Proportionately (Why?)
The answer is associated with
tithing mentioned in the Bible
(1) To recognize the greatness
of the one that blessed you
This is the reason Abraham gave
a tithe.
Genesis 14:20 is where tithing
is first mentioned in the bible and we should note
that Abraham gives Melchizedek "a tenth of
all" and this is done 430 years before the Law came
into existence. No one taught Abraham this he just did
it and if Melchizedek is Jesus pre-incarnate then Abraham’s
tenth to him is consistent with the Christians giving
to God, which recognizes His greatness. (Hebrew 7:1-4;
7)
(Rhetorical Questions)
If tithing is not for today then
why did Abraham give it to Melchizedek before the Law?
Furthermore, why do we get so wrapped up in numbers and
amounts?
Note:
There are plenty of parables of Jesus that indicate that
the amount is not important,
but what’s going on in our hearts is.
(2) To reveal gratitude for
the blessing of God on our lives
This is the reason Jacob gave a
tithe.
Genesis 28:20-22 is the second
place where tithing is mentioned this time of Jacob, which
is Abraham’s’ grandson. Jacob made a vow to God to pay
a tenth if God would be with him on his journey, provide
him with food and clothing, and bring him back home safely.
Again this is years before the Law was instituted.
(3) To relieve the Priest and
Levites (Pastors and Missionaries – Why?)
Because they have no inheritance,
no land or any means of support. So those who worked in
the tabernacle and did all the services of worship and
praise for Israel, the people supported them. They relieved
them of the responsibility of making a living outside
of the tabernacle. That’s why in the U.S. we have a paid
ministry.
Number 18:21,24,28 is the third
place where tithing is mentioned this time of the Levites
who tithe the tithe and then give that to the priest the
sons of Aaron.
(4) To respect or fear the Lord
God and sense our accountability to Him
(Deuteronomy 14:23)
When we don’t give to God it shows
our lack of accountability to Him.
(5) To receive the blessing
of the Lord by caring for the needs of those who cannot
take care of themselves (Deuteronomy 14:28,29 cf. Malachi
3:10)
This is the third year tithe problem.
Is this a third tithe above a regular tithe in that year?
A Jewish Quote:
Every person gives a tithe of all
they possess each year whether animals, produce or money.
These tithes in turn are given to Levites who have no
inheritance in the land. The Levites then give a tithe
of these tithes to the Priests. During the third year
the tithe is not given to the Levites at Jerusalem but
is kept by the people. This tithe was to provide in the
community for the non-priestly Levites, widows, orphans,
and strangers within their gates. There is only one tithe.
The third year the people don’t give it to Jerusalem that’s
why they had storehouses in the temple. Tithes are stored
up for two years to take care of the third year because
they knew that they would not receive it the third year.
What are they doing that year? Taking care of orphans
and widows. They also store it up in their communities
or their gates so it will last literally for three years
until the third year comes again when they have more means
to help those who are in need.
This is what Malachi meant when
he penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in
Malachi 3:10 " Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now
in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will
not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for
you a blessing until it overflows.
Is it right to give in order that
we may be blessed of God? Yes. But we shouldn’t always
think of blessings in material and financial ways. First
of all what’s coming (Jesus & heaven) is far greater
than what is here (materialism). Matt 6:19-34 should be
our attitude toward the things of this world. God has
promised to take care of our needs, but blessings can
be much broader than materialism, i.e.: For example, righteousness
(Ps. 24:5), life (Ps.133: 3), prosperity (2 Sam. 7:29)
and salvation (Ps. 3:8).
(6) It is to respond in worship
to God (Deut. 26:10)
(7) It is for the joy that comes
to our hearts (Nehemiah 12:44)
(Questions)
(Q)
All these reasons are reasons I should have today?
(A)
Yes!
(Q)
Should we give less under Grace than they gave under the
Law?
(A)
No!
Balance
TEN PERCENT IS A GREAT PLACE TO
START (OLD TESTAMENT), BUT REMEMBER WE ARE TO GIVE
AS GOD HAS PROSPERED US (NEW TESTAMENT)! BUT IF
WE STOP AT 10 PERCENT WE’VE MISSED THE POINT OF THE NEW
TESTAMENT. SURE IT’S OKAY TO ENJOY WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN
US, BUT WE NEED TO BE CONTENT NOT IMPULSIVE.
III. Give Sacrificially
Example
The widow and her mites.
She gave all she
had and Jesus said she gave more than all the rich men
who gave out of their abundance (Mark 12:41-44).
Why?
(1) Much more important
than the amount is the heart and motive.
(2) Sacrificial
giving is the way Jesus gave to us (2 Corinthians 8:9;
1 John 3:17).
There is joy and
blessing in our commitment to give!
