Featured Giving to the Local Body

Tithing is mentioned only three or four times in the New Testament. Jesus acknowledged that the Pharisees were very careful about tithing (Luke 18:12), and he said that they should not leave it undone (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42). Tithing, like other old covenant rules and rituals, was a law at the time Jesus spoke. Jesus criticized the Pharisees not for tithing, but for treating tithing as more important than mercy, love, justice and faithfulness.

The only other New Testament mention of tithing is in Hebrews. The fact that Abraham was blessed by and paid tithes to Melchizedek illustrates the superiority of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ over the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-10). The passage then goes on to note that “when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also” (verse 12).

People who entrust their lives to Jesus Christ do not worry about whether tithing is commanded in the New Testament. People who are being transformed by Christ to be more like Christ are generous. They want to give as much as possible to support the gospel and to support the poor. Christians should give generously — but giving is a result of their relationship with God, not a way to earn it. We are given grace through faith, not through tithing.

I know that as of late there have been many threads about the relevence of the OT. I believe law and grace work in perfect harmony according to God's plan. As I said above, I do not look for an excuse to give less. If one wants to seperate the OT and NT from the 10% requirement, then a transformed life in Jesus Christ is more than 10%. Those looking for exact numbers to get across some kind of line are missing the whole point of giving and being a Christian.

God gave us everything we have in this world. He owns it all, so a small return in a cheerful manner is a priviledge, not a buden, nor is it anyone else's business.

In my own giving, we give weekly. My wife works, I work, and get retirement, so one of the checks in some manner goes to the church weekly. Some at church give monthly. That does not really matter. Now, what I do sometimes, and the ministry is within our local church, is that I give an additional amount to those who run the Wedenesday night youth minisitry for kids from broken homes. The time at our church is all some get of a normal life in a week's time. I hand the money directly to the director of that program.

Usually all the giving goes to the local church. I have given at times to Billy Graham, and D James Kennedy, sometimes the Paralyzed Vets.

 

We are not under the law but led of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.​

Whatever we do it should be of faith.​

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.​

It should also be motivated by the love of God:​

1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.​

The NT directive:​

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.​

Give what you can without worrying about it, as you mature in the faith so will your giving.

There is no "tithe" directive in the NT but that doesn't mean you can't or should not tithe or give less or more.

The incentive should be your faith, love and God's reward:

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.​

HankD

 

This is excellent!

 

Do you not "see the need" to give on a regular basis?

 

Shouldn't church leaders have a reasonable expectation of the amount of regular funds coming into the church in order to prepare budgets for various programs or ministries.

How can they plan their budgets if the fellowship only gives when the bank account is empty?

And if you don't believe your church "needs" your money, why not develop your own ministry as you see the need. Look around you. I'm certain you could discover, develop and fund a ministry that will help people in need.

 

Really? What is wrong? Why not volunteer to work in the church (if you aren't already) and think of ways to use that money to advance the cause of Christ in the world.

I tend to believe most people would view an ever increasing bank account as a good opportunity to develop ministries in their church, not to cut off funding.

I understand many households have tight budgets. I encourage people (who ask me) to give on a regular basis, even if it's a small amount.

I am reminded of a story I heard (can't remember where and don't know if it's true) of a woman who lost her husband and was left nearly destitute with two children. Around Thanksgiving, her Pastor announced to the church they would be taking an offering at Christmas to give to a needy family.

The woman, seeing an opportunity to teach her children about giving even when you are in need, began looking for ways to make money. The kids did odd jobs, raking leaves and picking up bottles to sell. The woman baked cakes and did knitting work for extra money. On the appointed day, the woman and her children gave $92.50 to the special offering plate that was passed around.

After taking up the offering, to her surprise, the Pastor called the woman and her children to the front of the church and informed her that she was to be given the funds from the special offering as a gift from the church to express their love and support for her and her children.

The Pastor announced that the church had generously donated $97.50 to their cause.

 

:applause::laugh:

It must have been a Pentecostal church.

 

Perhaps the point of the story is that some Christians miss a lot of opportunities to support ministries that are right in front of them.

 

Why do you assume the Pastor is stealing from the congregation?

 

The story is a story...., real or not, that is attempting to teach life lessons to Christians.

The OP is about giving to the church, which you apparently have serious misgivings about. I was only trying to encourage you to give in some way to support the cause of Christ in the world. If you don't want to give to your church, then develop your own ministry.

God Bless and good luck