Today, we are going to look at what some consider a sensitive topic. We are going to look at whether tithing is commanded in the new covenant. We know that in the old covenant law it included tithing and offering but in the new covenant it doesn’t speak of tithing. It does speak of offering but not in a monetary offering to the church. One thing we have to remember when you look at the teachings of Jesus that tithing is mentioned to those who were under the old covenant law, but the new covenant does not begin until Jesus rose from the dead.
So lets go to 2 Corinthians 9:6 and see what Paul has to say about this because tithing is not mentioned. Now if you are reading this and see that I have made a mistake, I want to be very transparent, if I have made a mistake, especially about the scripture, I want to know about it, so please reach out and we can talk about it.
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Now here he is talking about the law of reaping and sowing. This is a law that was put in place back with Adam and Eve in the garden. Then he continues in verse 7 and 8.
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.
So, we should never put pressure on people in tithing or giving, especially tithing because it is not commanded in the new covenant. We do not have to pay tithes according to the new covenant. Now we should give to the church. This is what Paul is encouraging us to do here. He doesn’t tell us how often we need to pay, whether it is weekly, monthly, or yearly. He doesn’t give us a specific percentage to pay like 10%, 20% or 30%, but he does tell us how much.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
In other words, whatever the spirit of God is telling us to give that week, that month or that year is what we should give. This is why we should never let someone else determine how much we should give. It is not between you and them. It is not between you and your pastor, you and your church, you and your brother or sister, you and your mom or dad. It is between you and God, you and the Holy Spirit. So, whenever the Holy Spirit tells you to what and when to give that’s what and when you give. Pretty Simple.
By doing this, this is what it allows. It allows us to grow while we are being led by the Spirit. We know that the bible teaches us to grow in our relationship with God. It is very important with our relationship with God that we grow. It is just like any other relationship. Husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, dad the more time you spend together the more that relationship grows. The more you hear from each other and listen to each other the more you grow. We grow so that we can be more in tune with what the Spirit is saying. We want to be sensitive to hearing the Spirit of God because this is what directs our life. The same is true with our money. If God tells us to give 10% this week, we give 10%. Maybe it’s 20% this week. The Holy Spirit gets to determine that we don’t, your pastor don’t, your church don’t but the Holy Spirit.
So, should we give to the church? YES! There are some good reasons to give. If you want a church to worship in, you should support it financially because there are bills that need to be paid like light bill or water bill. There are also programs in the church, youth program or music ministry. Things the church needs to function. Also, one thing we can’t forget is community outreach. We should have funds set aside for outreach in the community.
One of the things we always want to be open to is for the Spirit to say, “Instead of giving to the church this week, so and so is struggling financially and want you to give them that money this week.” We should always be open to the Holy Spirit telling us to give our money to help someone. If it’s 10% give the 10%. Look I am not against 10%. It’s a good guide. If the Spirit is saying give 10% every week, then by all means give it. If the Spirit says give 5% then by all means give it. You listen to the Holy Spirit, and you will never go wrong. There are benefits in it. If we stay in tuned to what the Spirit is saying to us about our finances this is what the fruit will look like verse 8.
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.
If we listen the Spirit, not what man is saying, but what the Spirit is saying about our finances, we will have everything we need to abound in that good work. Not matter what our gifting and calling is. When the Spirit speaks, we listen, and we do. If the Spirit says give 5%, we give 5%. If the Spirit says your give 10%, you give 10%. If the Spirit says you give it all, you give it all.
Until next time…. Grace be with you.
