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In Jesus Name Ministries

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Phone - 276-644-1089

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New Testament Giving

 

Commentary on the Grace of New Testament Giving

and its Conflict with the Traditional Practice of Tithing

by Court F. Wood

 

Followed by Scriptures on Giving under the New Testament

 

The average giving of American Christians is approximately 3% of their income. The financial burden of the Kingdom of God is carried by a small band of faithful givers most of whom generous­ly tithe their increase to their church and the Lord’s work. Why, then, does the Kingdom of God suffer for lack of finances? It is because tradition has placed God’s people back under the yoke of the law which limits our capacity to know and serve God.

 

Of the 111 beautiful and challenging New Testament instructions listed above, 67 are concerned with our helping fellow believers who are in need and suffering; 27 are concerned with principles of giving in general; 12 are concerned with our helping teachers, pastors, missionaries, and disciples of the Lord with their needs; and 5 are concerned with helping the poor in general.

 

The area of giving that we are failing most notably in is in helping the members of the Body of Christ who are suffering throughout the world. Jesus’ principle command to His followers was that we are to love one another. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35. The ultimate test of love and genuine faith is found in Matthew 24:31-46 where our Savior speaks of His children (sheep) helping “the least of these brethren of mine” who were hungry, naked, thirsty, sick, or in prison (for the sake of the gospel). Christians are suffering and in need especially in third world countries, and the established churches in America are doing little or nothing to help. The reason is because we are not being taught to do so in our churches. In place of these wonderful New Covenant teachings on giving (especially to help the brethren) we have substituted the Old testament practice of tithing which focuses not on the living temple of the Body of Christ, but on buildings of stone and mortar.

 

As wonderful as the promises of blessing were under the Old Covenant, the preceding challenging and beautiful instructions cannot be applied to the Old Covenant law. We can learn from the Old Covenant instruction, but we will not reach “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephes 4:13) by remaining under the bondage of the law. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:24-25 KJV

 

The New Covenant principles of giving supersede the old covenant of the law (Hebrews 7:18-19). We are either under "law" giving (tithing) which carries with it a curse for disobedience (Malachi 3:8-9), or under the "grace" giving of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ who Himself freely gives abundant eternal life to all who believe in Him. His desire for our lives is that we each embrace this glorious goal to freely become a life of total giving in every area of life—not just ten per cent of our income. Those of you who are pastors will find your flock far more giving to the Kingdom of God when constrained by the love of Christ and not under the bondage of the law. Isn’t it enough to teach the abundant N. T. instructions on giving and lovingly and honestly share the needs each week?

 

The instructions of our Lord and the Apostles are intended to motivate followers of Jesus Christ to be the most generous and giving people in this world. Thankfully, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have been delivered from the curse of the law and are now constrained by the love of Christ to a much higher calling for service—even in view of God’s mercy “the offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice” which is called by God, “our reasonable service.” We give today as a response to God's unfailing love for us. We are the objects of His mercy, not His wrath.

 

If tithing was meant to be a New Testament practice, it would be mentioned at least once, clearly teaching such a practice. Most likely, it would be mentioned often. In fact, there is not one clear instruction to tithe in the New Testament. Once in the Gospels Jesus referred to the Pharisees and their practice of tithing and omitting justice and mercy. Matt. 23:23. In this one reference by our Master to tithing, He was not speaking to his followers, but was giving a stern rebuke to the Pharisees concerning their practices under the law. Also, at the time He was speaking, the law and requirement to tithe was still in effect, as it had not yet been nailed to the cross with our Savior. See Colossians 2:14

Tithing, like circumcision, was given to Abraham prior to the law, but like circumcision, was clearly part of the law. Evidence of its place in the law is found in forty-eight Old Testament verses and is best summed up by Malachi 3:8-12 when God stated that if the nation of Israel did not tithe: "You are under a curse." The New Testament believer is no longer under this curse of the law and is exhorted to give “generously,” “freely,” “not under compulsion.”

 

To be "no longer under the supervision of the law" (Gal 3:25) does not mean we are lawless, we are now "under Christ's law." (I Cor 9:21) His higher law superseded the old law and changes not just the outside of the cup but the inside as well.

 

Those who teach the New Covenant are not teaching men to disobey any of the commandments (as they accused Jesus our Lord and Paul, the great Apostle). They are teaching the living way of the Holy Spirit, and the high calling of God in Christ Jesus which brings the obedience and holiness which the law was powerless to do. We no longer circumcise the body, we circumcise our hearts. We are taught not only not to commit adultery literally, but to not even look upon a woman with lust in our hearts. We do not teach giving 10% because our Lord calls us to give all and to lay down our very lives. Luke 14:33 This awesome, fulfilling, limitless, life-giving call has been for the most part substituted in America with a comfortable modern day form of legalism. We can learn from the Old Covenant Law, but reversion to the law should never be allowed in the believers life. The Law brings condemnation and death. The New Covenant brings sacrifice, life and victory. Galatians 2:15 - 4:31 "But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs (the priests) as the covenant (new) of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another." -Hebrews 8:6-7 "By calling this covenant 'new', he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." Hebrews 8:13

 

As Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher summed it up eloquently: "The old covenant was a covenant of prosperity. The new covenant is a covenant of adversity whereby we are being weaned from this present world and made ready for the world to come." We tragically live in an age of prosperity in America which makes us especially prone to grasp for teaching which holds out the promise of earthly riches. The church has forgotten our call to a life of abandoned surrender to Christ (our cross) and have substituted in its place a covenant of prosperity. Although our Savior promises to graciously meet our needs; to give primarily for the promise of material gain in this life is to exchange the true riches of Christ for a mess of pottage. Because of these mis-directed material motives contrary to the purposes of Christ, and the high calling on our lives, many people in our churches in some respects are no longer the children of the promise, but have been sold again into slavery. (Galatians 4)

 

Giving 10% is an acceptable goal from a now obsolete example (Hebrews 8:13) if it does not place you in bondage, bring condemnation, lead you to self righteousness or self-satisfaction, or prevent you from going on to the higher call of Jesus Christ upon your life. The poor should not be made to feel condemned when they cannot give as much as others, for we are supposed to be helping the poor (but not the lazy) brethren. There are many American Christians who are blessed with the ability to produce ample income and could be investing vast resources into world evangelism and helping the poor in churches in third world countries. That is an exciting and high call of God.

 

We should be careful not to give ritualistically and mechanically (dead works), but by seeking the Lord, the guidance of the Word of God, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, give into the Kingdom of God. This is the living way of Christ by which He will lovingly lead you closer to Him and to a life given totally to Him.

 

The paradox of the cross is that this instrument of death is actually a means to life for the Christian. Salvation is found through our faith in the person and finished work of Christ who died on the cross for our sins. The abundant life for the believer is found, to the extent that we are able to deny ourselves, die daily, and embrace our own cross as an expression of our love for our Lord and for others. As Jesus powerfully expressed:

 

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything

he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

 

“But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:6

 

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant

not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills,

but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Cor. 3:6

Summary of Scriptures teaching how we should give

under the New Covenant

 

· Give in secret, and God will reward you openly. Matt 6:2-4

· Give to the one who asks you. Matt 5:42

· Freely give, for freely you have received. Matt 10:8

· Giving to the littlest (in rank or stature) of the disciples of Christ will lead to certain reward. Matt 10:42 Amplified

· Sell your possessions, give to the poor, and follow Me. Jesus’ instruction to the rich young ruler for perfection and treasure in Heaven. Matt 19:21

· Sell your possessions and give to the poor for treasure in Heaven. Jesus’ instruction to His children. Luke 12:32-34

· Help suffering Christians who are poor, sick, or persecuted. This is a test of the genuineness of our faith. Matt 25:31-46

· Give as the poor widow, who even though she had nothing, put in all that she had. Mark 12:41-44

· Those who have an abundance should share with those who have nothing. Luke 3:11

· Give, and it will be given to you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Luke 6:38

· With the same measure you use to give to others, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

· The workers in God's Kingdom are worthy of their wages. We should see that the needs of God’s servants are met. Luke 10:7-8

· Be rich toward God; be on guard against all kinds of greed. Luke 12:21

· We must give up everything we have to be the Lord’s disciple. Luke 14:33

· Be compassionate to the poor and sick. Luke 16:19-31

· Giving generously to the poor is genuine worship of the Lord. Luke 19:8

· Give what all believers possess. Faith, hope, love, and a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. Acts 3:6

· Share everything we have with fellow believers who are in need. Acts 4:32-35

· Help widows and orphans in distress. Acts 6:1; James 1:27

· Help the "brethren" who are in need in the world. Acts 11:28

· Give "according to your ability." Acts 11:28

· By hard work, we must help the weak. Acts 20:35

· It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

· Share with God's people who are in need. Rom 12:13

· Practice hospitality. Rom 12:13

· If your enemy is hungry, feed him. Rom 12:20

· If your enemy is thirsty, give him drink. Rom 12:20

· Give everyone what you owe him. Rom 13:7-8

· We are indebted to give love to one another. Rom 13:8

· Send help to poor saints throughout the world. Rom 15:25-27

· Share material blessings with those who have given you spiritual blessings. Rom 15:25-27

· Help those who help others. Rom 16:1

· Share your material harvest with those who have sown spiritual seed among you. Give to those who labor among you in the Lord. 1 Cor 9:4-18

· God has appointed in the church, "Those able to help others." 1 Cor 12:28

· Love must be at the foundation of our giving. 1 Cor 13:3

· There should be a weekly collection for the poor among God’s people:

On the first day of the week each one of us should:

 

a. set aside a sum of money. 1 Cor 16:2

b. in keeping with his income. 1 Cor 16:2

d. save it up. 1 Cor 16:2

e. for the poor among God's people. 1 Cor 16:1-3

 

· Help missionaries in their travels. 1 Cor 16:6

· Giving is a result of the grace of God. 2 Cor 8:1

· Even if poor, be rich in generosity. 2 Cor 8:2

· Give as much as you are able. 2 Cor 8:3

· Give beyond your ability. 2 Cor 8:3

· Give entirely on your own. 2 Cor 8:3

· Plead for the privilege of sharing with the saints. 2 Cor 8:4

· Do more than we are expected to do. 2 Cor 8:5

· Give yourself first to the Lord. 2 Cor 8:5

· Give yourself to others in the Lord's service. 2 Cor 8:5

· Excel in giving. 2 Cor 8:7

· Giving is an act of grace. 2 Cor 8: 7

· Our example is the grace of our Lord Jesus who "though He was rich, yet for our sakes, he became poor, so that we, through His poverty, might become rich." (in Christ) 2 Cor 8:9

· Be the first to give. 2 Cor 8:10

· Be the first to desire to give. 2 Cor 8:10

· Let your willingness to give be matched by your completion of it. 2 Cor 8:11

· Give according to your means. 2 Cor 8:11

· If willingness is there, a gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Cor 8:12

· It is not God’s desire for some to be relieved and others hard pressed. 2 Cor 8:13

· There should be a goal of sharing of burdens between believers. 2 Cor 8:13

· Our plenty will supply what other believers need. 2 Cor 8:14

· In turn, their plenty will supply what we need. 2 Cor 8:14

· The Lord desires equality among believers. 2 Cor 8:13-14

“He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little" 2 Cor 8:15

· Gifts are to be administered with responsibility and accountability to God’s people. 2 Cor 8:16-24

· Giving is described by the Apostle Paul as helping God’s people. (“.....service to the saints.”) 2 Cor 9:1

· Be eager to help. 2 Cor 9:2

· Be willing and enthusiastic in your giving. 2 Cor 9:2

· Give generously. 2 Cor 9:5

· Do not give grudgingly. 2 Cor 9:5

· If you sow sparingly you will reap sparingly. 2 Cor 9:6

· If you sow generously you will reap generously. 2 Cor 9:6

· Give what you have decided in your own heart. 2 Cor 9:7

· Do not give reluctantly. 2 Cor 9:7

· Do not give under compulsion. 2 Cor 9:7

· Give cheerfully, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7

· Scatter abroad your gifts to the poor. 2 Cor 9:9

· As you give to help God’s people (Christians) who are suffering, God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that:

 

a. In all things at all times

b. Having all that you need.

c. You will abound in every good work.

d. Your righteousness will endure forever.

e. God will supply and increase your store of seed.

f. God will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

g. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. 2 Cor 9:8-11

· Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Cor 9:11

· Give to supply the needs of God's people. 2 Cor 9:12

· Giving to God’s people in need will overflow in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Cor 9:12

· Men will praise God for the obedience (giving to the saints) that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 2 Cor 9:13

· Because of your gifts to suffering Christians, they will pray for you, and their hearts will go out to you. 2 Cor 9:14

· Giving to help God’s people is an indication that God has given you surpassing grace. 2 Cor 9:14

· God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ His Son, is indescribable. 2 Cor 9:15

· All James, Peter and John asked Paul and Barnabas to do, was to continue to remember the poor among the believers. Gal 2:9-10

· Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Gal 6:6

· Carry each others burdens to fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:2

· Do not weary in doing good, and do not give up, and you will reap a harvest. Gal 6:9

· Do good to all people, especially to believers. Gal 6:10

· Work, so that you may have something to share with those in need. Eph 4:28

· Take care of the needs of God's servants. Phil 2:25, 29-30

· Help those who also help God's servants. Phil 4: 3

· Gifts to help the servants of God are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Phil 4: 14-19

· Continue to meet the needs of God's servants (again and again). Phil 4:16

· As you do these things, God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

· Give in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17

· Share not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well. 1 Thes 2:8

· Help the weak. 1 Thes 5:14

· Those who are rich are to do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous, and willing to share. 1 Tim 6:17-18

· Help God's saints, and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

· Show this same diligence to the very end. Hebrews 6:10-12

· Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

· If a brother or sister in Jesus Christ is without clothes and daily food, help them. James 2:12-18

· If you are rich (90% of Americans are rich compared to the poor of most of the world), do not “hoard wealth in these last days.” Do not “withhold wages.” Do not live in “luxury and self-indulgence.” The Bible calls these times “a day of slaughter.” James 5:1-6

· Help and show hospitality to strangers who are missionaries. 3 John 1:5-8

 

 

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