God And Your Giving
Part II
In last week’s Pen Pulpit we learned who should give,
why we give, and how we should give.
Next we ask -
WHAT IS THE STANDARD FOR OUR GIVING?
Probably the most popular way for God’s people to
give today is to follow the standard of the Old Testament tithe which means “a
tenth portion”. The basic argument for
the tithe standard is found in the fact that tithing was practiced before the
law (Genesis 14:20), later incorporated into the law, but not necessarily a
principle attached to the law. So the
question - is tithing (giving a tenth of your income to the Lord) a valid
practice for today?
The Sabbath was observed before the law and was later
incorporated into the law just as tithing.
Christians do not observe the Sabbath today so should they observe the
tithe? Also we see that the Old
Testament tithe was not just 10 percent, but more like 22 percent! Charles Ryrie, a noted Bible scholar writes:
“The Old Testament required that a tenth of all be
given to the Levites (Lev. 27:30-33), who in turn tithed what they received and
gave it to the priests. In addition,
the Jews understood that a second tithe (a tenth of the remaining nine tenths)
was to be set aside and be consumed in a sacred meal in Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5-6, 11, 18; those living too
far from Jerusalem could bring money).
Further, every third year another tithe was taken for the Levites,
strangers, fatherless and widows (Deut. 14:28-29). Thus the proportion was clearly specified and every Israelite was
obliged to bring to the Lord approximately 22 percent of his yearly
income. WOW!
On the first
day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may
prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
I Corinthians 16:2
The New Testament standard, then, is “As God has
prospered each one.” The standard for
giving is relative in the Body of Christ.
Some should give more than others because they have greater
prosperity. The standard may also be
relative to any one believer at any given time, as his income may
fluctuate. The guideline for our giving
is found in II Cor. 9:7.
So let each
one give as he purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God
loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE GIVE? If the existing membership of our church is
giving according to this principle, the existing needs will be met, and we will
be blessed both as a church and individuals, beyond measure. We cannot out give God. We shovel out the front door and He shovels
in the back, and His shovel is so much bigger than ours! Examine carefully the principles set forth
in II Corinthians 8:12-15 and 9:6-9.
Beloved, lets check our own
giving pattern. How are we doing in regards
to the needs of our church? And
remember – when we place our contribution in the collection plate, we are not
giving to the Lord, we are just taking our hands off what belongs to Him! God bless.
In His love,