1 Peter 4:11 “Speak as the oracles of God”

 An offering of a tenth part of some personal income.

 Christ is priest “after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:6; 7:2-3).  Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, so we should pay tithes to Christ.

 Christ is priest “after the order of Melchizedek”, but ONLY in the ways citied (Heb 7:2-3).  Jesus did not come from a priestly lineage.  He had neither predecessor nor successor.  Therefore, He remains a priest continually.

 “Walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had…” (Rom 4:12).  One of the “steps” of Abraham’s faith was tithing, so we should tithe.

 S houldn’t we consider all of his “steps” of faith? He offered Isaac, animal sacrifices, circumcision.  We are not to walk in the literal “steps” of Abraham, BUT to “walk in the steps of [his] FAITH” (Rom 4:12).  Abraham’s faith obeyed God (Heb 11:8-10).

 It was practiced many centuries before the Law of Moses was given.  It was not merely a part of the Old Law to the Israelites (Deut 5:3), it has been part of God’s “universal law” from the beginning of time.

 T here were other religious practices observed before the giving of the Old Law.  Are we commanded to observe burnt offerings & drink offerings, & circumcision (Gen 22:13; 35:14; 17:14)?  We follow the authority of Jesus Christ & His apostles (Col 3:17; 2 John 9-10; Phil 3:17; 4:9).

 C hristians are described as trustees, stewards of the possessions God has given them (1 Cor 4:1-2; 1 Pet 4:10; Tit 1:7; Luke 12:42; 16:1-13).  A trustee is a person to whom legal title to property is entrusted to use for another's benefit.

 2 Corinthians 8, 9  “Abound in this grace” (8:7).  “A readiness to desire” (8:11).  “Out of what you have” (8:11).  “A willing mind” (8:12).  “According to what one has” (8:12).  That there may be equality” (8:14).

 2 Corinthians 8, 9  “A matter of generosity” (9:5).  “Not as a grudging obligation” (9:5).  “Sow bountifully” (9:6).  “As he purposes in his heart” (9:7).  “Not grudgingly or of necessity” (9:7).  “Cheerful” (9:7).  “Liberal sharing” (9:13).

 Suppose that someone will not “purpose in his heart” to give what he ought to for the Lord’s work.  Reinstitute tithing?  Demand more that 10% because we have greater blessings in Christ?  Let the Lord handle it (2 Cor 9:6-11).

 1 Corinthians 16  The command to give. “Lay something aside”.  When do we give? “On the first day of the week”.  Who should give? “Each one of you”.  How should we give? “As he may prosper”.  Why should we give? “That there be no collections when I come”.

 1 Corinthians 16 (Roy Cogdill)  Regularly: “On the first day of the week”.  Individually: “Let each one of you lay something aside”.  Proportionately: “As he may prosper”.  Preventatively: “That there be no collections when I come” (suggesting a common treasury).

 2 Corinthians 8, 9 (Roy Cogdill)  Liberally & cheerfully: “sow sparingly, reap sparingly; sow bountifully, reap bountifully…for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6-7).  Purposefully: “so let each one give as he purposes in his heart …” (2 Cor 9:7).  Sacrificially, “freely willing…beyond their ability” to take up a collection for the saints (2 Cor 8:1-5).

Giving will not impoverish us, it will bless us (2 Cor 9:10-11). Jesus is the highest example (2 Cor 8:9). “Take my silver & my gold, not a mite would I withhold. Take my life & let it be, always, only, Lord, to Thee.”

Make sure your choice of words suggest the meaning God intended. fellowship, ministry, grace, saint miracle witness/testify, tithing