January 30, 2009
Economic Crisis
The other day I heard a man of faith, who as an investment advisor was being interviewed on Fox News. A question posed to him by a fellow believer asked his thoughts on church contributions in this time of economic crisis. In response he said his understanding from Scripture was that 10% was one’s tithe, but beyond the tithe a person was to give out of their abundance. Paraphrasing he said, ‘If there is no abundance or excess, you’re not expected to give above the tithe.’ For years ministers have petition the congregation for love offerings beyond their tithe…I’m thinking they may have to revise their script.
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Gail;
-----Tithing was a requirement of the Law that provided for the priesthood. It is a giant concept in the frame of mind towards God described by the Old Testament. It is like sitting down with the Lord and splitting the goods into His share and your share. Of course, after going home with your nine-tenths, there would still be all the ritual offerings to make from your share, and on top of those, all of the sin offerings (a sinful lifestyle would have been expensive.)
-----But the New Testament teaches not a word on tithing. The only mention of tithing in it is in historical reference, or by the Lord during a time when the land was yet under the Law. Instead, the New Testament speaks of a new life with reborn attitudes. It speaks of charity and love in place of yours and mine. Don’t misunderstand me. The New Testament does recognize personal ownership. Peter acknowledged to Ananias that the land belonged to him before he sold it and the proceeds belonged to him after he sold it. It has no problem with personal ownership. It was the attempt to build an image of great generosity for the eyes of the brethren when really he was only a little generous that got Ananias and Saphira dead. It was the lie that was the problem.
-----Paul was clear with the Corinthians. They were to give within their ability according to their willingness. If one had great willingness and little means, his small gift would be no more valid than one who had great means and less willingness. Neither would he himself be more valid, as long as neither one misrepresented himself. It is God who measures out the faith in man (Rom. 12:3.) But if there were first a tithe to be met, then generosity to be added, the man with great means but less willingness would now be called into the same façade in which Ananias died: the portrayal of a generosity beyond the truth of the heart.
-----It is no wonder the New Testament does not teach tithing. The New Testament teaches sincerity. It teaches that man can not reach God by keeping any Law, not even the law of tithing. It teaches that man reaches God by responding in faith to the mercy and grace God offers through Jesus Christ. There is where it begins, while having nothing to save himself except God’s offered mercy and grace. If one has great means and just some charitableness, then he has more charitableness than if he had the none with which he begun when having only mercy and grace. God will be pleased with his gift and his honesty, even if it is less than ten percent of his total income, or net income, or net income after taxes. No! That was to be before taxes! Oh! Oh! Oh, it should be ten percent of your wealth….
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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