Giving, Tithes And Offerings
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
The 10% Tithe and Offering in Christian churches today is still being practiced and preached all over the world. Many debates have come from this topic alone. But do Christians today really need to practice this law from the Old Testament? What did Jesus Christ say about Tithes and Offering?
You are probably a Christian who gets confused by things like this—and that’s okay! We are all being guided by the Spirit of Truth—the Holy Spirit—and that’s what matters. We don’t have to know everything and rely on our understanding, but simply acknowledge God, who knows all things.
The Bible verse that most churches use regarding tithes and offerings is Malachi 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.” It gives us the idea that when we tithe and bring our offerings to the LORD, then God will bless us even more. Other churches also use verses like Malachi 3:8-9 to warn people that if they don’t tithe, then they are robbing what belongs to God, which is one-tenth of our monthly, yearly or daily income: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”
Many Christians feel either blessed or condemned for tithing or not tithing, for Jesus Christ said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.). People who are blessed by tithing simply reveal their faith in the Word of God, while others feel condemned for not tithing because this law, which came through Moses, brings condemnation when disobeyed. That is why grace came through Jesus Christ to free us from the condemnation of law, and we are no longer under its curse (Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.). So, does this mean that Christians should no longer practice tithing?
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” This Scripture shows us that when we give unto the LORD, it is the state of our heart that matters most to Him. The words ‘According as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly’ means that whether or not we are practicing tithe and offering, it should not be done out of fear of displeasing God. Never be condemned for not tithing, for such condemnation does not come from the Father. Check out this article to learn more about No Longer Living to Please God, but Living Pleased by God. If your tithing is simply done out of pressure or fear induced by the pastor, then your giving won’t count before the Father, for He loves a cheerful giver. Know that Jesus Christ already freed us from the condemnation and curse of the law, but the law remains, for it is God’s Word.
Tithes and offerings actually reveal the state of our heart, which neatly complements 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. God’s Word does not clash or negate itself, neither is the law abolished when grace comes (Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.). Thus, we can say that when one practices tithing and offering, it must come out of our love for God and not out of fear. We practice it not because we are pressured or because a preacher requires us to. We do it for the LORD.
Now, if you don’t feel like tithing and you just want to give according to your own feelings, then it also reveals the state of your heart towards giving. Maybe God wants to reveal to His children that we are to be more like Him—unafraid and bold to give, just as He gave His only Begotten Son. When tithing only seems like a responsibility or a requirement, pray to God to change your heart and make you a truly cheerful giver. Whether it is Giving, Tithing or Offering, know that it is the state of your heart that matters, as God loves a cheerful giver.
What did you learn today about giving tithes and offering? How is the state of your heart when it comes to this subject?
