07-08-2017 Tithing – Immanuel Church

QUESTION
In the light of Eldred’s message, i’ve been thinking about something i wondered about before: What is the definition of a tithe? Is it to the church / congregation itself or to some Godly ’cause’? And what about when one gives away that extra 10%, do you simply let the Holy Spirit lead you? Is giving in this context any giving? eg. also to friends in need.

RESPONSE
Thank you very much for your question. Many people have such questions on this particular subject, and without going into too much detail, let’s try and understand what Scripture says.

Firstly a tithe simply means 10%. ( one tenth)

We read much about it in the Old Testament, but one must not be tempted to automatically read Old Testament as “Old” and no longer applicable to us. In fact, before the Mosaic Law, Abraham , the father of our faith practiced giving away one tenth, Cain and Abel brought offerings to God, Jacob tithed and all this was before Moses received the Law at Sinai. Suffice it to say, I believe from Scripture that giving to God, and supporting those doing His work, is God’s desire and not simply “ the Law” to be forgotten in the New Covenant, as some are currently teaching.

The tithe was to be brought into the Storehouse, (see Malachi) and was not given willy nilly wherever one chose. It supported the ministry of the Priesthood and all the workings of God among his people. The BIG deal about regular proportional giving in the NEW COVENANT is we no longer do it out of fear or compulsion or to perform and try impress God BUT simply because God has so lavishly given to us first that we respond as He does, out of a love relationship, and we just love doing His will, and value what is revealed to us in Scripture.
In the New Covenant, we read much about giving and giving generously, as a reflection of God’s generous heart towards us. Read 1 Corinthians 9 to gain Paul’s perspective ( a New Covenant one), see especially vs 14. It is in regular generous giving ( and I believe it should be regular proportional giving) that the work of God both in and through the local church prospers and abounds and the Gospel continues to flourish.

Paul writes to Timothy and says the Elders of the church who preach and teach and govern, should in fact receive double honour and in context is talking about remuneration.

Too many people today are only practicing one form of giving when God’s way is multifaceted. Some simply decide where they want to give and don’t support the local house, and those training up and equipping and shepherding the Body of Christ so more can hear and receive the Gospel. People erroneously think that any charity or person in need I give to is sufficient and sometimes the local house is sidelined. I strongly believe in regular proportional giving to the local house where you worship, pray, share communion, fellowship and are equipped to make disciples.

Now let me add, that we believe in both regular proportional giving ( like the tithe ) AND giving more, as Holy Spirit leads, especially to different projects and organizations, and even Pastors/ Ministers/ Evangelists/ Prophets/ Apostles, as well as to those in need. Whenever we give so we can tick a box so to speak, our motive is questionable.

Read 2 Corinthians chapters 8 & 9.

Let me recommend we all try this:

1) Give Regularly, and proportionally from your income monthly to the local church for above mentioned reasons. It signifies our reliance upon God and as an invitation to God to step in and be God in our natural and financial world. Personally I give at least 10% in this giving.

2) Ask Holy Spirit if He wants you to give even more than the usual. We are not bound to one tenth in the New Covenant, as now we operate by grace.

3) Decide in your heart if there is anywhere else you would like to give ( over and above) and ask Holy Spirit how much, this could be in support of someone struggling financially, an outreach, an organization, a particular minister of the Gospel, a friend, widows, orphans etc etc

All I know is are we ever more like God than when we are giving generously out of love. The just are called to live by faith in every area of life, and this includes resources and finance. Giving is between us and the Lord, and the most important thing is that through our regular giving God is worshipped and Gospel advancement is supported.