… money …

Tithing The tithe is simply a 10% offering of produce, given in honour of God. “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” (Leviticus 27:30) Deuteronomy 14 offers us an additional tithe of 10% for use during specific religious festivals – kind of like an ancient potluck. An additional tithe also came into play every three years, also outlined in Deuteronomy 14 directed towards benevolence – the caring for those in need.

When we look at tithing as a whole then, the Jewish people have been commanded to give at least 19% of their harvests and flocks and perhaps as much as 27%! Offerings were specifically designated donations of livestock or produce for specific religious purposes. Tithing can become very mechanical and very legalistic very quickly, can’t it? And in the end, it can become an act that is totally joysucking. Doesn’t “God love a cheerful giver”?

Exploring the New Testament “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” (Acts 4:32-35) Notice no mention of 10%, 19%, or additional offerings, only pooled resources; 100% giving.

Money from a Cultural Standpoint Culturally, our money is our security. We rely on our wealth for safety and confidence, as if we believe that our money can solve any difficulty that comes our way. As Paul writes to his young protégé, Timothy, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”, our tight grasp upon our money can result in many evils, but I would suggest that it also runs absolutely contrary to the biblical ideal. Our attitude about money is more important than the amount we give.

Genesis 22: Abraham and Isaac Was God seriously calling for Abraham to part with the only security he had?

A Pattern Revealed a crisis exists obedience is modelled provision for that crisis is made blessing is delivered

Romans 8:32: Genesis 22 Revisited “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”. Could God, would God, turn over His only son unto death? You see, just as God called Abraham to turn over his son Isaac, God turned over his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, unto death to provide a way into eternal life. Just as Abraham refused to withhold his only son, so too did God refuse to withhold His from us!

Do we really believe that God will provide for us or not? Do we believe that God will bless us, graciously giving us all things? In tangible terms, is loving money a more secure pursuit than loving God? “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”. (Hebrews 13:5) Which do we truly desire: God’s presence or financial presents?

Simplifying the Concept “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work … You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 and 11)

The principle: our attitude about money and our resultant use of finances should be determined in light of God’s rejection of withholding anything from us; we too should be reluctant to withhold anything from him – finances included. There is an aspect of witness and worship in our giving. Giving should never be a painful obligation or a drudgery; it should be a worshipful experience! We should rather give in accordance with the pattern shown us of God’s giving; giving that is freely given, joyously offered and abundantly provided. Let us give of our finances generously and cheerfully in all circumstances – may our grip on our money never be tighter than our grip on Jesus Christ.