Christian Giving
Far Greater than Tithing
The Lord has this most amazing way of talking to me. Father, I thank you for your loving kindness.
I have struggled with what is enough, who should I give too? Is 10% enough, shouldn’t it be more? Etc. Etc. That’s being said, I DO BELIEVE we should give until it hurts for we must “trust in the Lord with all our heart, and lean not upon our own understanding (Prov 3:5)” and we should NEVER trust in money before our Father’s love for His “obedient” saints. Our LOVE for our fellow man should drive our DESIRE to give as much as we possibly can.
But we should not associate our giving with the LAW.
Yes the BAR was raised when Jesus came to earth in all respects to the Law.
- We are accountable for our “thoughts” (2 Cor. 10:5)
- Every day is the Sabbath
- Every glass of wine is “communion”
- Everything we do comes from a heart of sincere empathy
- Giving until it hurts, comes from both LOVE, empathy, obedience, and TRUST in God
Question: “What does the Bible say about Christian tithing?”
Answer: Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. In some churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Scriptural Guidance for Giving
2 Cor 9:6-15
The Cheerful Giver
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
NKJV
If You Want to Reap Bountifully
If you want to reap bountifully in Heaven, it’s obviously important to be a cheerful giver here on earth. I spent so many years giving in a sparing manner because of all the deception out there. I didn’t know who to give too. It was confusing. I would give some to my church, but not enough. I knew the Bible said to “give to the poor” but I didn’t know who to give too, and I didn’t want to be “taken advantage of”.
YOU MUST NOT BE THIS WAY
My life has changed for the better since I have started giving from the heart. The Lord has and continues to bless me MORE now, than ever in my entire life. I have never accepted a donation for the work I do for Jesus and Tribulation-Now. Any time someone has given me money (by sneaking it to me in the mail with other “things”) I have immediately seeded it back into the Kingdom. The Lord will bless and cheerful giver, both on earth, and in HEAVEN. This is not about prosperity! This is about SEEKING YE FIRST THE KINGDOM.
WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP PEOPLE
Here are some of “our” favorite places to seed gifts too:
(Please see the comments section for opportunities to help other people who are going through very hard times!)
PIPES International
http://www.pipesinternational.org/
You can send checks to:
An email from Jean and Sammy for the team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Goma Town)
Hi John, Bwana Asifiwi is Swahili for Praise God. Samuel Mwangi who is a Kenyan Missionary to the Pygmy people of the Democratic Republic of Congo is teaching me to speak Swahili. At least a little of it. This is one the missions God has given me to help bring food and sustenence to these people and Jesus Christ. They have been evicted from their forest homes of many generations by their government and have no place to go, no education and have absolutely nothing. They are dieing of all kinds of things, but mostly starvation and malaria. We are trying to raise enough money to put at least some of them on land that they can grow food for themselves and their children. The several churchs and missionaries involved in this project have build a makeshift school and now have three teachers. We have the salary covered continually for two of these. We have purchased a cooking pot and the children are being fed at least several times a week. Thank you for preaching God’s word to the masses. Thank you for your prison ministry. We are all called. Praise God. Bwana Asifiwi. Jean
Other Great Opportunities for Giving
Messianic Bible in Israel
http://www.messianicbible.com/
Amazima Ministries,Uganda Africa
David’s Tent in Israel
Grace Orphanage in India
http://graceorphanage.webs.com/donations.htm
Passion for Prison in Florida
http://www.passionforprison.com/
A Wake Up Call for Myself
The pastors of our churches have let us down. In tears I’ve had to repent for not giving enough. It wasn’t for lack of love; it was for lack of wisdom and understanding. I knew in my heart that the church wasn’t telling me the “whole truth”. I saw them failing to properly teach the sheep yet insisting that I “tithe” only to “them”. They would use Old Testament “Law” teachings to convince people to tithe at lest 10% and I knew something was amiss. Some churches will actually make you sign papers pledging to give your tithes only to them.
Many of the people in those churches are going to end up in Hell. Many of those who do not are going to be poorly rewarded in Heaven when they could have easily been HUGELY rewarded in heaven IF THE PASTORS HAD TAUGHT THEM CORRECTLY!
What an awful travesty.
If I knew what I know know I would have given MUCH MORE. I have cried out to God and repented for not giving more and know I want to give as much as I can. We SHOULD be living and giving as if we will be in Heaven TONIGHT. In fact… you might be!!
Do not take a chance on being shocked in heaven and sad about what you could have done, but didn’t, while on this earth. The parables of Jesus give us plenty of guidance and warnings. Whatever you do, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Give as much as you can. Life on earth is VERY SHORT.
Here is the testimony of a pastor that includes amazing insight about these things. I cannot more highly recommend you consider listening to this. Better to find out about these things now, then when its too late.
I AM SO GLAD I DID!
PRAISE JESUS
Synopsis:
During a tragic Near Death Experience, A conservative Presbyterian Pastor named Yong Park was taken to Heaven and Hell. He was shown why some saints are richly rewarded in Heaven, while others have no reward; why some saints have magnificent Mansions in Heavens, while others live in small Community homes. He was shown why, after serving the Lord his whole life, his house was still small and unfinished. He also witnessed how gruesome Hell was, and why so many Christians wound up there; and what sins we must repent of. Pastor Park’s testimony is a wake up call to the Church, it will encourage those who are serving Jesus faithfully, it will strengthen your resolve for Jesus, and will bring the Fear of God to those who are not living Holy.
Thank you for your teaching on giving. I have known that the church gives 1% to the poor. My heart has always been for the poor. I have been poor all my adult life and never received a helping hand from the church. That is alwright. I have a good job and want to give. You have mentioned different ones in your talks here in US that need help, but havent been able to find addresses to send mail. Would appricate your responce Thank you very much
I know there are ministries all over the United States that help the poor but unfortunately I do not know who they are and cannot make such recommendations. The ministries which I give to personally are here on this web page. But surely there are many more indeed. God bless you.
Terrific write-up. I had been verifying frequently your blog with this particular motivated! Worthwhile info specifically the rest of the section 🙂 My spouse and i handle these info a whole lot. I was searching for this type of information to get a long time. Thanks along with best of luck.
As far as inland American ministries go, Fellowship of the Martyrs is a great ministry to give to, they pray over every dollar and how it should be spent as the Lord leads. My boyfriend and I bought our plane tickets recently to go there in June to help and learn how to get our cup full of Jesus.. I know spiritually Doug Perry has really fed my boyfriend and I through youtube, I can only imagine the ministry going on in their ministry houses and food pantry. 🙂