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Tithing: Difference between revisions
→Does the New Testament require giving?
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=Does the New Testament require giving?= | =Does the New Testament require giving?= | ||
Yes! Here is what we are taught with respect to giving. | '''Yes!''' Here is what we are taught with respect to giving. | ||
==Proportionate== | ==Proportionate== | ||
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==How much should you give?== | ==How much should you give?== | ||
There is no specified percentage or mandatory amount that you should give. BUT there is a blessing associated with giving: | There is no specified percentage or mandatory amount that you should give. '''BUT there is a blessing associated with giving''': | ||
:'' The point is this: '''whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly''', and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ''' Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.''' And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 2 Co 9:6–8.</ref> | :'' The point is this: '''whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly''', and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ''' Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.''' And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 2 Co 9:6–8.</ref> | ||
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Notice that Paul does not tell them how much to give, or give them a fixed percentage as a standard. He simply tells them that whatever they have decided to give they should go ahead and give. We are not to allow others to manipulate or intimidate us so that we give out of guilt or pressure. There is to be no compulsion in our giving; the amount must be our own decision. | Notice that Paul does not tell them how much to give, or give them a fixed percentage as a standard. He simply tells them that whatever they have decided to give they should go ahead and give. We are not to allow others to manipulate or intimidate us so that we give out of guilt or pressure. There is to be no compulsion in our giving; the amount must be our own decision. | ||
However, God will bless those who give more on a proportionate basis. | However, '''God will bless those who give more on a proportionate basis.''' | ||
==How are we supposed to use our money?== | ==How are we supposed to use our money?== | ||
Everything we own is God's. We are simply His stewards. So what are we supposed to do with the money that he has placed on our care? | '''Everything we own is God's.''' We are simply His stewards. So what are we supposed to do with the money that he has placed on our care? | ||
===Provide for your family=== | ===Provide for your family=== | ||
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Paul and James were clear that we should help those in need. In fact, when Paul met with the apostles, this was one point they stressed to him: | Paul and James were clear that we should help those in need. In fact, when Paul met with the apostles, this was one point they stressed to him: | ||
:''They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. | :''They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. '''All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.'''<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ga 2:9–10.</ref>'' | ||
Paul also said: | Paul also said: | ||