Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-15
"In spite of scattering one might become rich; in spite of stinginess one might become poor...He who waters others shall himself be watered" (Prov 11:24, 25)
We enter another month today. Have we laid aside God's money?
Before the Law was given, there was the voluntary practice of giving a tenth to God. The examples are Abraham and Jacob (Gen 14:20; 28:22). During the time of the Law, it became a definite commandment (Lev 27:30). There is no law of tithing in the teaching of the New Testament. The references to giving in the New Testament suggest no legalistic pattern. For example, 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver." The word "necessity" means "compulsion" or "commandment." Very interestingly in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, giving is called a "grace" (8:1,6,7,19; 9:14). Can grace be calculated or measured? Paul applaudingly bears witness of the Macedonian saints that "according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing" (2 Cor 8:3). But it is unfortunate that several Churches and Christians today in their teaching and practice go back to the lesser standard of the Old Covenant!
Several Indian Christians have gone abroad for jobs overseas, obviously to earn more. I have painfully observed that many of those who earn and save many tens of thousands of rupees each month overseas give the same one tenth to God as most of their poor brothers and sisters in India. As our income increases, the proportion of our offering to God must also increase, like 20%, 30%, 40% and so on.
Tithing may be alright, to start with. But as we grow in other graces and virtues, we must "abound in this grace also" - in the grace of giving! (2 Cor 8:7). We should give and give until it affects us! Hear the challenging words of David: "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing!" (2 Sam 24:24).
"How much should I give God?" So ask many Christians. The correct question must be, "How much can I keep for myself?" Our eyes must not be on what we give; but we must think of who receives it. Nothing of what we give God is ours. We give back to Him only what we have received from Him.
Lord, let my life be given, and every moment spent,
For God, for souls, for Heaven, and all earth's ties be rent.
Thou gavest Thyself for me, now I give all for Thee!
"In spite of scattering one might become rich; in spite of stinginess one might become poor...He who waters others shall himself be watered" (Prov 11:24, 25)
We enter another month today. Have we laid aside God's money?
Before the Law was given, there was the voluntary practice of giving a tenth to God. The examples are Abraham and Jacob (Gen 14:20; 28:22). During the time of the Law, it became a definite commandment (Lev 27:30). There is no law of tithing in the teaching of the New Testament. The references to giving in the New Testament suggest no legalistic pattern. For example, 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver." The word "necessity" means "compulsion" or "commandment." Very interestingly in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, giving is called a "grace" (8:1,6,7,19; 9:14). Can grace be calculated or measured? Paul applaudingly bears witness of the Macedonian saints that "according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing" (2 Cor 8:3). But it is unfortunate that several Churches and Christians today in their teaching and practice go back to the lesser standard of the Old Covenant!
Several Indian Christians have gone abroad for jobs overseas, obviously to earn more. I have painfully observed that many of those who earn and save many tens of thousands of rupees each month overseas give the same one tenth to God as most of their poor brothers and sisters in India. As our income increases, the proportion of our offering to God must also increase, like 20%, 30%, 40% and so on.
Tithing may be alright, to start with. But as we grow in other graces and virtues, we must "abound in this grace also" - in the grace of giving! (2 Cor 8:7). We should give and give until it affects us! Hear the challenging words of David: "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing!" (2 Sam 24:24).
"How much should I give God?" So ask many Christians. The correct question must be, "How much can I keep for myself?" Our eyes must not be on what we give; but we must think of who receives it. Nothing of what we give God is ours. We give back to Him only what we have received from Him.
Lord, let my life be given, and every moment spent,
For God, for souls, for Heaven, and all earth's ties be rent.
Thou gavest Thyself for me, now I give all for Thee!
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