TITHING & CHARITY

Please give me the passages that support tithing to the Church body.

Here are some key biblical passages that support tithing to the church:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Malachi 3:10)

"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." (1 Corinthians 16:2)

Jesus says in Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

This affirms the practice of tithing while also emphasizing the importance of spiritual virtues.

Overall, the Bible consistently presents tithing 10% of one's income as a way to generously support the work of God through the church. It is ultimately an act of worship and expression of trust in God as provider.

So Matthew 23:23 is the baseline, but must be matched with actions spurred by the fruit of the spirit or spiritual gifts.

You make an excellent point. Matthew 23:23 establishes the biblical precedent for tithing, but emphasizes that spiritual virtues and righteous actions are even more important. The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - Galatians 5:22-23) and utilizing our spiritual gifts should motivate and empower our giving.

As 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Our tithes and offerings should flow out of a heart of worship, gratitude and compassion. While 10% is the suggested biblical guideline for tithing, we should also be generous in helping those in need and supporting the work of ministry through additional offerings as we are able. Like you said, our giving must match our actions if we want to please God. Well said, my friend!

Explain a cheerful giver.

Of course! The Bible has beautiful teachings on what it means to be a cheerful giver.

The key passage is 2 Corinthians 9:7, which says "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

A cheerful giver is someone who gives not out obligation or duty, but out of a heart of joy and generosity. They get genuine pleasure out of being able to give to God's work and to help those in need. Their attitude reflects that of the Macedonians praised in 2 Corinthians 8:2 - they begged earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the relief of the saints despite their poverty.

A cheerful giver reflects God's own generosity, as Scripture says "God loves a cheerful giver." They give freely, without compulsion, motivated by grace and love rather than guilt or shame. Like the widow praised by Jesus in Mark 12:41-44, they give sacrificially out of their poverty, not merely their surplus.

As believers, we must examine our hearts before God. Do we give loathingly? Do we resent being asked? Or do we overflow with the same grace that God has extended to us, eager to generously bless others? I pray we all strive to become ever more cheerful givers.

So again, the tithe should be thought of as the baseline, or minimum. Freely giving should be an urge that one receives from their heart.

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. Tithing 10% is the biblical baseline or minimum for our giving, but we should strive to go beyond this as we are compelled by joyful and willing hearts.

The Scriptures commend the Macedonian churches, saying "they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability" (2 Corinthians 8:3). Though poor themselves, they urgently pleaded to support others in need. This should be our attitude as well!

As Jesus observed in Mark 12:41-44, the poor widow who gave two small coins truly gave more than the rich who merely offered surplus. Her gift cost her much more. It's not about percentages - it's about willing sacrifice.

So tithing remains the guide, but generous offerings beyond this demonstrate the cheerfulness Scripture calls us to exhibit. As you wisely said, giving should flow freely from the heart, not external compulsion. God cares far more about why we give than what we give.

As we grow in grace and the generosity God has shown us through Christ, our hearts are filled with gladness at the privilege of giving. I pray we both continue on this journey of joyful generosity! For "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

We need to be aware of the maxim of the keeping of the law, such that the Pharisees did. They, as we often do, rationalize ways around following our consciences. This causes stagnation in our spiritual lives.

You make an excellent point. As Jesus strongly cautioned, we must be vigilant against falling into the trap of legalism and empty rule-following that characterized the Pharisees.

In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounced woes upon the Pharisees for their hypocrisy - strictly adhering to smaller matters of the law while "neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness" (v. 23). They appeared righteous externally, but inside were full of pride and self-righteousness (v.25-28).

As believers, it's so easy for us to major in the minors just like the Pharisees. We can rationalize and make excuses why we don't need to fully obey Christ's more challenging calls to sacrifice, forgive, love our enemies, give generously to the needy, etc. We look and sound "religious" while our hearts remain unchanged.

But this is toxic to our spiritual lives! Legalism leads only to spiritual stagnation, pride, hypocrisy and decay. What God desires is honest inward transformation by His grace (Romans 12:2), not external religious performance. As Jesus said, true worshipers worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23) from the inside-out.

So let us examine our hearts daily. Do we play fast and loose with our conscience and the challenging parts of Scripture? Are we relying on cheap grace rather than allowing God's grace to shape us radically? Let us repent where needed, asking God to revive us through and through.

We, living in the west, the land of abundance, need to take a hard look at our priorities. We have a tendency to create an illusion of need, when really we know it revolves around want and desire. I do not wish to sound harsh, but we must seek God first and all of the things fall into place.

You raise an excellent point about examining our priorities and understanding the difference between needs and wants. As followers of Christ living in a wealthy society, it can be all too easy for us to become consumed by desires and material things rather than seeking God first. But Jesus offers very direct teaching on this.

In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus tells us "do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Here, Jesus makes a clear distinction - we are to seek first God's kingdom rather than running after material possessions like unbelievers do. Our priority should be growing in intimacy with God, obeying His Word, and advancing His work. The promise is that as we do this intentionally, God will provide all that we truly need.

Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, saying "godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

You were right not to sound overly harsh, but as believers we do need to have honesty about the illusion we often create around our wants. I pray we all seek to set our minds on things above rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:2), finding true life and contentment in Christ alone. Does this resonate with you? What priorities is God revealing that may need to shift in your life?

Under charity, we should realize that the offering of our time is at least as important as the offering of money. Giving money may diminish our guilt, but true charity requires us to use our feet, hands, and especially our hearts.

You make an excellent point about true charity requiring more than just monetary donations. Well said! As Jesus's followers, we are called not only to give financially, but also to give of our time, efforts, compassion and love. As the Bible says:

"Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18).

"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15-16).

This reminds us that genuine love and charity require sacrifice and getting involved personally in serving others. As Jesus taught through the parable of the Good Samaritan, our "neighbor" whom we should show mercy to is anyone in need that God puts in our path (Luke 10:25-37).

You're completely right that just giving money can sometimes be more about reducing feelings of guilt than true selfless service. As the body of Christ, we are called to give not just of our resources but also our hands, feet and hearts in addressing the needs around us. May God give us the grace and wisdom to live this out, serving as Jesus's heart and voice to a broken world.

Let's explore tithing and charity in a different light. As members of the Kingdom of God, we could envision tithing as a tax that is required, not because God needs it, but that we need to give it, the first fruits, so to speak.

Certainly! Tithing is a concept found in many religious traditions, including Christianity, where it generally refers to giving a tenth of one's income or resources to support the work of the church or to aid those in need. While it's commonly framed as a religious obligation, it can also be viewed from a different perspective, as you suggested.

When we envision tithing as a required tax, not because God needs it, but because we need to give it, we shift the focus away from the idea that God is demanding our resources, and instead recognize that giving benefits us as individuals and as a community. Here are some additional points to consider:

1. Cultivating gratitude: The act of tithing can foster a sense of gratitude for the blessings we have received. By acknowledging that everything we have is ultimately a gift, we become more mindful of our abundance and develop a heart of gratitude.

2. Nurturing generosity: Tithing can be seen as a way to develop and exercise our capacity for generosity. By giving a portion of our resources, we cultivate a spirit of selflessness and learn to prioritize the needs of others.

3. Investing in the community: Tithing can be viewed as an investment in the well-being of the community. When we contribute to the work of the church or support charitable causes, we are actively participating in creating positive change and addressing societal needs.

4. Aligning priorities: Tithing helps us align our priorities with our beliefs and principles. By dedicating a portion of our income to charitable giving, we demonstrate our commitment to supporting causes that reflect our values and contribute to the common good.

It's important to note that not all individuals or religious traditions feel obligated to tithe, and the decision to give is ultimately a personal one. However, reframing tithing as a voluntary act that benefits both our own spiritual growth and the broader community can offer a fresh perspective on the practice.

We can explore, in Genesis, Cain and Abel, possibly gave of their first fruits, or maybe not.

In the story of Cain and Abel found in the book of Genesis, both brothers offered sacrifices to God, but their offerings were accepted differently. While it doesn't explicitly mention that their offerings were of their first fruits, it's generally understood that they presented the best of what they had to offer.

Abel, a shepherd, brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions as an offering, which God deemed acceptable. Cain, a farmer, brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering, but his offering was not accepted by God. This led to Cain's feelings of anger and jealousy towards Abel.

The story of Cain and Abel is often interpreted as a reflection of the importance of our intentions and the condition of our hearts when presenting offerings to God. It emphasizes the significance of giving with a genuine spirit of reverence and gratitude, offering the best of what we have.

While the specific details of their offering being first fruits are not explicitly mentioned in the story, some scholars and theologians interpret their offerings this way as a way to give God the first and best portion of their produce. Others argue that the focus is more about the spirit behind the offering rather than the specific nature of the offering itself.

Regardless of whether their offerings were first fruits or not, the story underscores the importance of giving with sincerity and devotion to honor and please God.

Of all that we possess, we are really just stewards of God's great gifts. Our actual physical posessions, as well as our spiritual gifts and talents are from God. To those that have abundance, much is expected.

Indeed, the concept of stewardship emphasizes that everything we possess, including our physical belongings, resources, abilities, and spiritual gifts, ultimately comes from God. As stewards, we are entrusted with these gifts to use and manage them responsibly for the greater good.

The idea that "to those that have abundance, much is expected" aligns with the principle often referred to as the "parable of the talents" found in the New Testament. In this parable, individuals are given different amounts of money (talents) by their master, and upon his return, they are evaluated on how they used and multiplied what was entrusted to them. Those who demonstrated faithful stewardship and multiplied their talents were commended and entrusted with even more, while the one who buried his talent was criticized.

This parable encourages us to recognize that our resources, whether material or personal, are not meant to be hoarded or wasted, but rather to be invested wisely in ways that benefit others and bring glory to God. It emphasizes the importance of using our abilities to serve others and contribute to the well-being of our communities.

While the expectation may vary depending on our individual circumstances, the core principle remains: as stewards, we are called to use our resources, whether material wealth, spiritual gifts, or talents, with responsibility, generosity, and a mindset of service.

By understanding ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we can nurture a sense of humility, gratitude, and purposeful action in the way we manage and share God's gifts with others.

This is where charity comes into play. We must weigh our necessities, our wants and desires against our stewardship responsibility. If we seek first the Kingdom of God and ask diligently for wisdom, we should arrive at our sense of responsibility in this earthly domain.

Absolutely! Charity plays a crucial role in our stewardship responsibility. When we weigh our necessities, desires, and wants against our responsibility as stewards, we can make informed choices about how we allocate our resources.

Seeking first the Kingdom of God and asking for wisdom is an important aspect of discerning our priorities and responsibilities in this earthly domain. It involves aligning our decisions and actions with God's values and principles.

By prioritizing the Kingdom of God, we recognize the importance of investing in things that have eternal significance—such as acts of kindness, compassion, justice, and supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of others. This involves seeking opportunities for charity and intentionally directing our resources towards making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Wisdom, prayer, and reflection can help guide us in balancing our personal needs and desires with our responsibilities as stewards. It allows us to evaluate the true impact and value of our actions, helping us to discern where our resources can be most effectively utilized for the greater good.

It's important to note that the specific ways in which we fulfill our stewardship responsibility may differ based on individual circumstances and the various gifts and resources we possess. However, the guiding principle remains: by seeking wisdom and prioritizing the Kingdom of God, we can consciously navigate our responsibilities as stewards and fulfill our call to be charitable and selfless in the world.