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Is the OT tithe still required for the NT Christian?
INTRODUCTION:
FACT #1 - Jesus never taught on tithing even though the subject He taught on more than any other was money.
FACT #2 - No percentages are given in NT for giving
FACT #3 - Jesus’ teachings is ALWAYS to go beyond what the law required (lust, love, murder, etc.) (see also, “unless your righteousness exceeds…”
So, what does the NT teach about giving?
There are a lot of questions surrounding the question, “Should Christians tithe.”
1. Don’t limit yourself to 10% - 2 Cor. 9:6
a. Paul introduces us to the simple law of sowing and reaping
b. God is saying, “I want to bless you far beyond where you think I want to but because you don’t trust you me give reluctantly.”
c. God wants you to grow - so that just as you are growing in other areas you are growing in your giving as well (make a goal to give one more percentage a year).
d. God doesn’t promise that His blessings to you will be financial. He just promises that He will bless you according to what you give.
e. God says, “I’m giving you a blank check where you determine how much you’ll be blessed.”
2. Attitude is more important than the Amount - 2 Cor. 9:7
a. Personal not prescribed - If you want to give 10% then that’s great.
b. Don’t give because you are afraid if you don’t God will punish you. This passage doesn’t say God will punish you. Rather, it says that the more you give the more God will bless you in return (the law of sowing and reaping).
c. Reluctantly - In other words if you are giving a certain percentage because you’ve been taught or pressured to give it but you’re giving it RELUCTANTLY, God says
d. Don’t give because you were made to feel guilty by a church leader if you didn’t give.
e. Don’t give because you think it will cover up something bad you did.
f. When God decides to bless you He is looking at the condition of your heart not your checkbook.
g.
3. Giving should be an sacrificial act of faith
a. 2 Cor. 8:1-2 - Paul is speaking here of one of the poorest churches that gave liberally in the midst of a severe trial.
b. The point here is that even in times of lack we can still be liberal because giving is a sacrifice. David said, “I will not give to the Lord that which costs me NOTHING.”
c. In the next chapter Paul reminds us that we can give trusting that He is…
SUMMARY
So I want to challenge you today not to limit yourself to a 10% blessing, secondly to focus more on your attitude when you give and to give sacrificially even when it hurts trusting that God can bring that and more back to you.
10 сен 2024