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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. | |||
==Proportionate== | ==Proportionate== | ||
Those who have more should give more. | Those who have more should give more. Giving should be proportionate to a person's ability to give: | ||
:''Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On | :''Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, '''as he may prosper''', so that there will be no collecting when I come.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 16:1–2.</ref> | ||
==Give according to your ability to give== | ==Give according to your ability to give== | ||
Those that have more should give more: | |||
:''Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, '''every one according to his ability''', to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 11:27–30.</ref> | :''Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, '''every one according to his ability''', to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 11:27–30.</ref> | ||
== | ==How much should you give?== | ||
:'' 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> | 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> | |||
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. | |||
==How are we supposed to use our money?== | ==How are we supposed to use our money?== | ||
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===Provide for your family=== | ===Provide for your family=== | ||
:''But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), 1 Ti 5:8.</ref> | :''But '''if someone does not provide for his own''', especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is '''worse than an unbeliever.'''<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), 1 Ti 5:8.</ref> | ||
===Meet the needs of the saints=== | ===Meet the needs of the saints=== | ||
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:''And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, '''as any had need'''.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 2:44–45.</ref> | :''And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, '''as any had need'''.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 2:44–45.</ref> | ||
:''But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Jn 3:17.</ref> | :''But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, '''how does God’s love abide in him?'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Jn 3:17.</ref> | ||
:''And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ga 6:9–10.</ref> | :''And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, '''as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith'''.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ga 6:9–10.</ref> | ||
===Meet The Needs Of Christian Labourers=== | ===Meet The Needs Of Christian Labourers=== | ||
:''Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 5:17–18.</ref> | :''Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, '''especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.''' For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Ti 5:17–18.</ref> | ||
:''Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 9:6–7.</ref> | :''Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? '''Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 9:6–7.</ref> | ||
:''And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Php 4:15–18.</ref> | :''And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. '''I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Php 4:15–18.</ref> | ||
===Meet The Needs Of The Poor=== | ===Meet The Needs Of The Poor=== | ||
:''Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Eph 4:28.</ref> | 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. 10 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: | |||
:''Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, '''to be generous givers''', sharing with others. '''In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves''' as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.<Ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), 1 Ti 6:17–19.</ref> | |||
:''Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that '''he may have something to share with anyone in need.'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Eph 4:28.</ref> | |||
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Tt 3:14.</ref> | |||
Where did the church get the money to help the widows under its care? | |||
:''If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that '''the church can help those widows who are really in need.'''<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Ti 5:16.</ref> | |||
And James, Jesus' brother told us: | |||
:''Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jas 2:15–17.</ref> | |||
:''Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jas 1:27.</ref> | :''Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: '''to visit orphans and widows in their affliction''', and to keep oneself unstained from the world.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jas 1:27.</ref> | ||
==The Requirement for Accountability== | ==The Requirement for Accountability== | ||