Lesson 4Giving VS. Tithing |
We have spent the last three sessions of Hot Topics studying giving vs. tithing because it is an issue that concerns many believers. Do you now know what God expects you to do? Hopefully you have prayed as you studied this topic, believing that God will show you what to do. If you are God’s child and a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you are required to give in order to support and bless the Lord’s work, His workers, and to meet the needs of His people. Giving must reflect the love of God in you and through you. We are always conscious of the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we conduct ourselves as Christ did, giving His all for us.
If for some reason, you are still confused about whether you should give according to faith or to tithe according to the law, let us see what Jesus expresses on the subject. In both Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4, the writers tell of Jesus’ observations and comments as He watched the treasury in the temple. He watched how people gave their money into the temple’s treasury. He saw the poor widow give two mites while rich men gave painlessly of their abundance. (A mite was worth about 1/8 of one cent) Jesus noticed that the poor woman gave sacrificially. She gave more proportionally than all of the rich men because she gave all that she had.
In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14), the nobleman gives his three servants five talents, two talents, and one talent respectively. While the nobleman was away, the servants who received the 5 and 2 talents, doubled what they received and pleased their master greatly. However, the servant with the one talent hid his master’s money and gained nothing more. Jesus said that the first two servants were good and faithful servants and were made rulers over many things in the kingdom. Please note that these faithful and good servants gave all that they earned for the master to the master. Yes, their work and their efforts generated the additional wealth, but they recognized that it all belonged to the master. The third servant with the one talent is called wicked, slothful, and unprofitable. He is cast into “outer darkness.” Jesus reminds us, “For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath” (Matthew 25:29).
We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. God expects His children to be obedient, faithful, fruitful, and joyful in all that He asks us to do. He always exceedingly rewards those who are obedient, faithful, fruitful and joyful. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:6-9,
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
6. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.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.
Our giving is an outward expression unto God of our inward commitment and submission to Him. Our Heavenly Father is more concerned with the condition of our faith in God and the condition of our hearts. For some of us, He may ask us to give one tenth of what He has given to us, or thirty percent of what He gives to us, or maybe all that He has given to us. What is important is that we be joyfully obedient to His direction. Always pray, asking God in faith what He wants to give through you. How your gifts are received and used is not your concern, it is God’s business.
Our giving is an outward expression unto God of our inward commitment and submission to Him. Our Heavenly Father is more concerned with the condition of our faith in God and the condition of our hearts. For some of us, He may ask us to give one tenth of what He has given to us, or thirty percent of what He gives to us, or maybe all that He has given to us. What is important is that we be joyfully obedient to His direction. Always pray, asking God in faith what He wants to give through you. How your gifts are received and used is not your concern, it is God’s business.
Remember, you cannot beat God in giving! He gave the life of His only begotten Son for our salvation. He wants to give you the Kingdom of God. What will be your response?
