Giving to the Kingdom

 Deuteronomy 14:28-29
bring all the tithes” so the Levites, “foreigners, the fatherless and the widows,” could come and “eat and be satisfied”.

There has been a lot of debate and discussion about tithing. Does the Bible require that Christian tithe to the church? There are many who believe that part of following Jesus is to give at least 10% of your income to support the work of God. There is no doubt that the Old Testament instructed God’s people to bring their tithe to help support the needs of the ministry and to help those who were not able to help themselves. One would argue that we are no longer under the law of the Old Testament and there is no such mandate given to believers in the New Testament. Much is said in the New Testament about giving of your means to help the spread of the gospel of Jesus, but there appears to be no commandment or set rule on how much you should be giving. We know that Paul encouraged believers to give and often thanked those who gave to support the work he was doing to tell others about Jesus. We also know that, in our present day, it requires money to maintain a church ministry, or any kind of ministry that desires to reach out and help people who have physical and spiritual needs.
Let it first be established that it is not possible to buy the favor of God, or give enough to pay for salvation. Salvation comes only through believing Jesus paid the price for our sins and confessing our sins and believing He is God who can reconcile us back to Him. But when a person has given their life to Christ, a transformation of desires begins. We seek to be more like Him and the things that we once desire to please ourselves are now turned toward the things of God. We now want to give all that we can to support the work of the Kingdom. We take inventory of how we are spending our resources. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinth. 10:31)Our life is no longer ours, but it belongs to God, All of it! Our money, time, effort, emotions, and spirit now belong to Him. God does not want 10% of you, He wants all of you. I believe that we are stewards of what we have and none of it belongs to us. What we do with it all depends on what kind of relationship we have with Him. If we love Him, out of a cheerful heart, we give to see others come to Christ. We desire to help those who are in need of a helping hand. We don't give so that God will bless us, we give because that is what Jesus would do. Don’t hold back what God has blessed you with to fulfill your selfish desires, but let Him take full control of everything you have. Don’t be in bondage to only give 10% but give to please the God you serve. Live in moderation, provide food and shelter for your family. Enjoy life, but remember, everything you have belongs to Him, and His desire is for us to first seek the kingdom of God. 

Cheerful Giver

 2 Corinth 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The motivation to give for a cause should be based on our desire to help build the kingdom of God, and reach out in some way to help someone who has a need. We live in a world where everyone is looking out for self, and seeking to gain just a little more. This is demonstrated when Jesus spoke about the man who wanted to tear down his barn and build bigger ones to store his riches. (Luke 12:18). There is no wrong in wanting to increase your financial standing. We are told to be good stewards of what God has given us. Being forced to give what God has allowed us to earn is not really giving from the heart. Out of necessity, we pay taxes, we don’t give taxes. Out of necessity (the principle of tithing) we pay ten percent of our earnings to God’s work. This giving was established in the OT to support the work of the priesthood.  Paul says, don’t let your giving be done because you're compelled by some law, but let your giving be done from the heart with cheerfulness that you are doing it for God and His cause. The principle of reaping and sowing is demonstrated in how you give. The more you give cheerfully, the more God’s grace will be abound to you. Delight in giving of your means to the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart, and always provide you with what you need

Tithe and Offerings

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Tithing and giving to God in the OT was required by the law to help support the work of the Levite to fulfill the ceremonial law given to the Jews. Tithing also predates the law and has always been part of God’s plan to show our willingness to put God first in every part of our life. The principle of giving continues on in the NT. The NT does not specify anywhere that Christian are suppose to give tithe as a requirement to be a Christian. Instead, the scriptures imply that everything we have belongs to God. Putting God first in our financial life by helping to support the work of God or helping those in need supersedes the law of tithe.  We are stewards of the things that God gives us. Giving is a matter of the heart. As people find God’s love they desire to find ways to support the spiritual kingdom of God’s work. They give, not out of duty, but out of love for His kingdom. Bring your offering to the storehouse of God’s grace and share the grace of God by sharing the blessings that God has given you. 

The Spirit of Giving

2Corith 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Can you be like Jesus and not give?

Why or why not?

As Christians, what can we give that would bring the smile of God?

1. ______________________

2. ______________________

3. ______________________

4. ______________________

5. ______________________

Questions to ask about your giving

Do you give grudging?

I give because I have to?

I will get something in return if I give?

I feel good when I give to someone in need?

I am willing to sacrifice to help someone else need?

I am willing to give of my time as well as my money?

I don’t like to give to people who I don’t like?

Do you enjoy giving to family as well as friend?

Are you willing to go out of your way to give to others?

What did the Israelites give at Mt. Sinai? What was there attitude?

What problem did God have with Israel In Malachi?

What is the difference between tithing and offering?

What does Paul say about the law of giving?