"Decided in his own heart...." almost makes it sound like we totally get to make our own decision on this one, doesn't it. Soooo...I decide "in my own heart" that this year I am cheerfully going to give 1% of my income, and I'm going to feel good about it. I'm not going to be reluctant about that giving at all. Is that an OK decision on my part? Is God good with my decision?
That's where the law comes into play. As with everything, the law gives us our standard to compare our decisions against. The law says, "Do not murder." So we know we are not to kill anyone else, that's the standard. But the decision made in our heart, under the Spirit's guidance, tells us to think of others as better than ourselves, to love our enemies, to do everything within our reach of possibility to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The law says, "Bring one-tenth of your income into the storehouse." But the decision made in our heart, under the Spirit's guidance, tells us to give not only out of our abundance, but to give whenever we see a need, giving to our churches, to our neighbors, to our community. Our hearts should break when we see others in need and our love for others should overrule any "logical" decision of our heart as far as the amount of our gifts. Logic may say, "I can only afford to give $______," but our broken heart says, "Take not only my shirt, but take my coat as well."
So are we, as Christians living in the 21st century, obliged to tithe? My answer is....that shouldn't even be the question in our heart...we are obliged to give whatever is needed, whenever it is needed. We are obliged to support our church so that it can continue to share the message of the Gospel. We are obliged to love our neighbors not only in emotion, but in action, in tangible ways to help them in their time of need.
I think the danger of tithing is when we calculate to the cent our giving to meet the 10% that the tithe calls for and then feeling very satisfied in our giving. That is not the heart of the Gospel...that is not the heart that Jesus saw in the widow who gave her last penny.
That's where the law comes into play. As with everything, the law gives us our standard to compare our decisions against. The law says, "Do not murder." So we know we are not to kill anyone else, that's the standard. But the decision made in our heart, under the Spirit's guidance, tells us to think of others as better than ourselves, to love our enemies, to do everything within our reach of possibility to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The law says, "Bring one-tenth of your income into the storehouse." But the decision made in our heart, under the Spirit's guidance, tells us to give not only out of our abundance, but to give whenever we see a need, giving to our churches, to our neighbors, to our community. Our hearts should break when we see others in need and our love for others should overrule any "logical" decision of our heart as far as the amount of our gifts. Logic may say, "I can only afford to give $______," but our broken heart says, "Take not only my shirt, but take my coat as well."
So are we, as Christians living in the 21st century, obliged to tithe? My answer is....that shouldn't even be the question in our heart...we are obliged to give whatever is needed, whenever it is needed. We are obliged to support our church so that it can continue to share the message of the Gospel. We are obliged to love our neighbors not only in emotion, but in action, in tangible ways to help them in their time of need. I think the danger of tithing is when we calculate to the cent our giving to meet the 10% that the tithe calls for and then feeling very satisfied in our giving. That is not the heart of the Gospel...that is not the heart that Jesus saw in the widow who gave her last penny.
4 comments:
Obedience in giving is a pledge we make to God. I have often felt I was unable to give monetarily. For so many years I was a single mom and lived paycheck-to-paycheck. I gave meager amounts each Sunday at church. I did feel good when I felt I could increase that amount. I could have given more of my time. I have disappointed my Lord and have not given to others as I should have. I feel goodness at Christmas time when my department, where I work, provide gifts for a needy family, or give small amounts to the Red Cross bell ringers. I hope to be more disciplined and feel the desire and have the heart to give throughout the year. I have a new opportunity with my home bible study group. We are bringing sacks full of items to our next gathering to help needy families.
Obedience to God. We should give out of obedience as well as because we see the "need" to help the poor.
True, Donna. We give because God has told us to give. The widow brought her mite to the temple, didn't she?
I am really enjoying the bible study. I hope to be more knowledgable of scripture someday. You are great, and a gracious leader.
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