The tithe was first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14 when Abraham tithes and again in Genesis 28 when Jacob promises to give a tenth to God. Although tithing was a requirement under the Mosaic law in the Old Testament, tithing is never mentioned in the New Testament. This is because since tithing was a law and the law was fulfilled by Jesus' death and resurrection, born again followers of Christ can rest assured that their salvation is not in their works but by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Some Christians refer to general giving to their local church as a tithe when the literal Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of tithe is a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment. In this post, we will focus on general giving. So without further ado, let's take a look at five truths about giving money to the church (tithing) that come from the Bible.
1. Give FIRST
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
2 Corinthians 9:8 and Philippians 4:19 both describe how God is the source of ALL THINGS. He is the giver of all living things and He is infinitely capable of providing everything we need to live. So GOD is actually the one giving you your paycheck. According to Proverbs 3:9-10, giving your money back to the Lord shows that you are honoring and trusting that the Lord will provide any and all things you need monetarily.
Deuteronomy 14:23 also describes one of the reasons God required the Israelites to tithe, to teach them to put God first in their lives. Although we do not live under the Mosaic covenant anymore, according to Scripture, we are not to hoard our possessions but to support those who preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:1-4) and give generously to those in need (1 Timothy 6:17-19) by giving first.
2. Giving is for EVERYONE
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Paul specifies that "each of you should give," he doesn't say "those who have excess money should give". Every follower of Christ should be a giver. God knows that not everyone has a plethora financial resources but we are still commanded to give no matter what financial situation we are in, and to give with the right kind of heart.
3. Give CHEERFULLY
2 Corinthians 9:7 also shows how God demands us not to just give, but to give cheerfully! God loves a cheerful giver and true giving doesn't just come from a happy heart but also gives us a happy heart.
I am reminded of Acts 5:1-11 when Ananias and Sapphira gave begrudgingly and selfishly kept money to themselves and then dropped dead before the apostles. They are examples of people who gave for the wrong reasons. But we are to give cheerfully because God is the ultimate cheerful giver! A father only wants to give all that he can to his children, why would our Heavenly Father be any different?
4. Give FREELY
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25
Proverbs 11:24-25 describes a principle sewn all throughout Scripture: the more you aggressively hoard, the more you need. The more you freely give, the more refreshed you will be. When we give to the church, it's not just the action of giving that is important but it's the way in which we give. The Lord is the source of all things (2 Corinthians 9:8, Philippians 4:19) and He has entrusted us to be a steward of the money He has given us. Giving our money freely shows that we understand that everything we have is not our own but we are to be stewards of everything we have and manage it as the Lord would.
5. Give SACRIFICIALLY
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others, They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus is observing how the people put money into the treasury, not how much. Jesus doesn't care about our technique, but our motive. Historians calculate that the two copper coins was probably the present day equivalent of putting $1 into an offering bag (which sounds like next to nothing in our day and age in the United States). The point Jesus is making is that the widow gave sacrificially. He sees her generosity as more generous than ALL the rich people who gave large amounts but with little sacrifice.
The main point of this passage is that Jesus is saying that the true value of a gift is measured by what it cost the giver. Just as in 2 Samuel 24:24, David refused to sacrifice burnt offerings to the LORD because it cost him nothing and therefore, it wasn't a true sacrifice. Just as Jesus would soon offer His life as a sacrifice on the cross, we are to offer everything we have as a sacrifice.
xo, Adrienne
Scripture mentioned:
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Deuteronomy 14:23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always.
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world to not be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What make you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Proverbs 11:24-25 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."
2 Samuel 24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
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