Freedoms Gate Ministries

Lesson 3

Giving VS. Tithing

By studying II Corinthians 8 and 9. If you have not done so, please take the time to prayerfully study these chapters now, allowing God to talk to you about giving. In II Corinthians 8 and 9 Paul talks about giving and how we should do it. Paul also talks about what God will do when we give the correct way.

Why do we give?

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

     1. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
     2. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the          riches of their liberality.
     3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
     4. Praying us with much in treaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the          ministering to the saints.
     5. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of          God.

2 Corinthians 9:7-9

     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.
     8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,          may abound to every good work:
     9. (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for          ever.

2 Corinthians 9:12-13

     12. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by          many thanksgivings unto God;
     13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the          gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

    We first give unto the Lord and unto those responsible for overseeing the ministry and the will of God. We are called to give to enable the Body of Christ to minister to the saints. This giving is done according as each one of us purposes in his heart.

    Do we give of what we do not have?         Why ?

    No, as seen in scripture, 2 Corinthians 8:10-12, one is only expected to give out of what one has and not according to what one does not have. Giving is not to be a burden to the giver, since all believers are expected to do their parts. The abundance of some will supply the needs of others and that those in need will eventually have abundance that will supply the needs of others too.

2 Corinthians 8:10-15

    10. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but          also to be forward a year ago.
    11. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a          performance also out of that which ye have.
    12. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that          he hath not.
    13. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
    14. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their          abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
    15.As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

    What happens when we do not have?

    When we do not have abundance or substance to give, then there will be others in the Church who will be able to give from their abundance. There is equity and fairness in the giving process that Paul describes and directs However, the example of giving by the Macedonians is inspirational and instructive to us. The Macedonians submitted themselves first to the will of the Lord and gave out of their poverty by the will and grace of God. Their giving to the Church and the apostles was blessed.

    If giving is to work the way God wants it to work, what sin(s) cannot be in the Body of Christ?

Let us examine Proverbs 6: 16- 19.

Proverbs 6: 16- 19

    16. These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
    17. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
    18. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
    19. A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Giving in the Body of Christ requires honesty: honesty to God and honesty among the saints.

Which one of these do you think God is concerned with and why?

Attitude of giving or the amount of the gift? God is most concerned with the attitude of giving rather than the amount of the gift. When the believer is strong in his relationship with God and is walking in faith and in the Spirit of God, the attitude of giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7

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.

Are we to be lazy in our giving? Why?

No. We must not be lazy in our giving. Our behavior as Christians cannot be a burden to other saints. When we do not give as God directs us we will be lazy and we will be a burden on the Body of Christ. This has nothing to do with how much God leads us to give, but it has to do with us being obedient to God’s direction in our giving. When we are lazy in what God calls us to do, we are being lazy in our relationship with Him. As Christians we are to be Christ-like. Therefore we are to be Christ-like in our giving. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we are reminded that Jesus Christ was not lazy in His giving to us. He has given His all to us.

2 Corinthians 8:9

     9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became          poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

    Should we give based on what we see others giving?      Why?

    No. Clearly we should not give to God based on what we see others giving. We only give what God directs us individually to give. Each of us must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what He wants each of us to give.

    If we are to give out of our abundance, then what did Paul mean in 2 Corinthians 9:6?

    Whatever God gives us is abundance. When we give abundantly of what He gives to us, then He will bless us abundantly in what we receive from Him. God does expect us to be good stewards over what He gives us so that we take care of all of our responsibilities. One of our responsibilities is to take care of the Body of Christ and its overseers.

    2 Corinthians 9:6 reminds us how greatly God blesses those who sow bountifully. Just as a farmer cannot expect an abundant crop if he sows minimal seed. How do you expect God to bless you abundantly if you do not give abundantly?

    If we meet God's condition what has He promised us?

    We learn in these scriptures, 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, that when we are obedient, generous, and cheerful givers, God enriches us with His bountiful grace and His abundance. See verses 9: 8 and 11.

2 Corinthians 9:8 and 11

     8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,          may abound to every good work:
     11. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

    The ones who get the help will do what? Those who are benefited by the help they receive through the giving of the saints will give abundant thanksgiving unto God. They will pray for the givers. As we complete this study of giving vs. tithing we have learned some very important things. Tithing is an Old Testament action that began as voluntary to honor God for his blessings. It then became a significant part of the Mosaic law and became a requirement unto righteousness. However, like all of the law, mankind was unable to fulfill it. It took Jesus Christ to fulfill all of the law. Jesus Christ inspires us to live above the law in faith. Giving is now what we are inspired to do in this new relationship with God through Jesus Christ.