2 Corinthians 9:6-12
First, let’s establish what tithing is and where we can find it in the Bible.
Tithing is a term commonly used, by the Christian population, to mean setting aside a certain amount of one’s income for God. Giving of Tadin is done, because the Bible commands it to be done in the following scripture: Leviticus 27:30 says, “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.” A Christian, who is a member of the church, usually provides the church with 10% of their income. The word “tenth” and the above scripture is often generalized to mean any amount of money set aside for God.
There are some issues amongst the believers of Christ today; whether to tithe or not to tithe. Of course, there’s two sides to this disagreement. Below are the scriptures that each side quotes.
Side One:
Luke 4:21
And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Side Two:
Matthew 5:18
For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
The bickering, comes in to play, because there is no scripture in the new testament that implies we should give a certain percentage of our a check. However, I find it interesting that the scripture does includes that we give from what the Lord has given us. Notice, the second half of the Leviticus verse: informs us that we are supposed to give of our land, whether it be from the soil or from the earth. This means of everything the Lord provides us. This directive is often left out of the argument, but should be a focal point, because it’s in the scripture. Not only did the Israelites or the Jewish people give 10% of their money , but they also gave 10% of everything. (animals, land, and vegetation) So, would that be 10% of what we’re worth?
I think that this is an important point, because most people stop at the word 10th and don’t consider the rest of the scripture. This is how we have gotten into trouble with other parts of scripture too. We do not include the whole entire book of scripture, but we only take out a sentence from a passage. Then, we align our doctrine and our life according to half of a verse. When discussing what scripture actually means we have to put it in the context of God’s entire love letter.
Every time, that Jesus Christ taught on giving, he spoke about giving more than what was required. Let’s consider the following passage of scripture: “Mark 12:41-44
(King James Version) 41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
In this story, the woman, gave more than all of the rich men. She had two copper coins, but she gave it all. She realized that God gave her everything; therefore, she was going to give everything back to God. I hope you realize today, that Jesus Christ gave it all; even his life. Therefore, we should give more than our measly 10%. I’m not just preaching to you today, but I’m preaching to myself and my household too.I love what second Corinthians 9:6 tells us, because it’s never failed me and God’s word will never feel less. Here is what it says: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (9:6). Here Paul quotes a proverb — a saying that is generally true, although exceptions may exist. A farmer who sows a lot of seed will usually be rewarded with a good crop. But sometimes bad weather can ruin the crop. Even then, the farmer will probably receive in proportion to the amount sown.
Paul is saying that the same is true in financial generosity. A person who is generous will usually be rewarded. The reward doesn’t always come in money, and it doesn’t always come in this life, but God does bless people who are generous.
According to the nazarene manual; which is the governing doctrine of the church, christians should participate and having and giving offerings to the Lord. I have pasted the doctrine of the manual here below for you: Section: Christian Stewardship
• MANUAL 2017–2021The Covenant of Christian Conduct
Meaning of Stewardship. The Scriptures teach that God is the Owner of all persons and all things. We, therefore, are His stewards of both life and possessions. God’s ownership and our stewardship ought to be acknowledged, for we shall be held personally accountable to God for the exercise of our stewardship. God, as a God of system and order in all of His ways, has established a system of giving that acknowledges His ownership over all human resources and relationships. To this end all His children should faithfully tithe and present offerings for the support of the gospel. (140)
(Malachi 3:8–12; Matthew 6:24–34; 25:31–46; Mark 10:17–31; Luke 12:13–24; 19:11–27; John 15:1–17; Romans 12:1–13; 1 Corinthians 9:7–14; 2 Corinthians 8:1–15; 9:6–15; 1 Timothy 6:6–19; Hebrews 7:8; James 1:27; 1 John 3:16–18)
Storehouse Tithing. Storehouse tithing is a scriptural and practical performance of faithfully and regularly placing the tithe into that church to which the member belongs. Therefore, the financing of the church shall be based on the plan of storehouse tithing, and the local Church of the Nazarene shall be regarded by all of its people as the storehouse. All who are a part of the Church of the Nazarene are urged to contribute faithfully one-tenth of all their increase as a minimum financial obligation to the Lord and freewill offerings in addition as God has prospered them for the support of the whole church, local, district, educational, and general. The tithe, provided to the local Church of the Nazarene, shall be considered a priority over all other giving opportunities which God may lay upon the hearts of His faithful stewards, in support of the whole church.
After all that being said, it is our attitude toward giving that God wants to get straight in your life. Let’s look at Paul’s advice: “2 Corinthians 9:7 (New International Version)
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(A) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(B) for God loves a cheerful giver.(C)”
Paul is advising us to give as the Holy Spirit instructs. We need to be obeying the Holy Spirit. We should not be pressured into giving and we should not let those who pressure us dictate the time or the amount of the offering. If we stay in the will of God; then, all things will be right. We get into trouble when we decide to do something; instead, of waiting on God to give us instructions. When we decide to give sometimes we will be taken advantage of and sometimes what we give will be rejected. It is better to give, when the Holy Spirit direct you too. Finally, Paul advises that God likes a cheerful giver. If we yelled at, because God gave us; then, we will be giving with a cheerful heart. We will be giving out of our gratitude instead of out of our ingratitude. The gifts of the spirit our love, peace, joy, patience, and loving kindness. From kindness we get gratitude. We can be kind and say something nice to someone, but we show gratitude when the kindness Costs something. Therefore, when we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are exercising the gifts of the spirit. Ultimately, when we mature as Christians we become Christ like givers. When others start to recognize the gifts of the spirit they see from you; then, do you know that you have entered spiritual maturity. Finally, you want to hook up with people who are spiritually mature, because they will help you grow in your walk with Christ. Call
God uses our tithes and offerings further the kingdom of God. Let’s get back to the scripture in second Corinthians. Let’s continue reading the following scripture: “2 Corinthians 9:8 (King James Version) 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” We do not need to worry about meeting our needs, because God promises to meet each and everyone of those needs. We cannot out kill God, because everything belongs to God anyways. Whatever we think that we own or that we have Alvin is only being borrowed for our lifetime. And we die we cannot take our belongings with us. We came into the world naked and naked and we will go out.
Just a couple more things, for today’s lesson, turn back with me to second Corinthians 8:2. Here, we see Paul admonishing or groggy and ordered small church that was stricken with poverty. This church had a spirit of joy. Since they had the fruit of the spirit joy we know that they were a spiritually mature church. In spite of their poverty they gave abundantly. We may find ourselves in this situation today, tomorrow, or maybe it was yesterday, and it’s easy for us to use our circumstances as an excuse for not giving. I have heard and thought to myself before, that God knows things are tight right now and I just can’t do it, but I had to question what is the giving necessary and was it from the Holy Spirit. At that time, it wasn’t from the Holy Spirit; therefore, I did not give. However, sometimes we use this excuse and it’s not justified. Remember, every time we give, it is of sacrificial faith. I like David’s advice in “2 Samuel 24:24 (King James Version) 24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
So, November and December are months that we can show our spiritual maturity to the world -the most. If you find this reading around those months, began talking to the Lord about being generous this year. Being generous stems from love. It is love in action; which cost you something. We do not want to give grudgingly or above our means; so, ask your heavenly father where your gift will count the most. Let’s have faith in God to do more with our gifts ; then, what we could do if we held onto them.
Finally, I would like to give you three challenges, from the Holy Spirit.
Challenge number one: Start, right now, praying to God for guidance on how to give. (Pray without ceasing First Thessalonians 5:17)
Challenge number two: Use the 10%, method, from the old testament, to start tiling. ( Leviticus 27:30)
Challenge number three: do not let the challenge of 10% from Leviticus to hold you back from, but giving abundantly. ( Leviticus 27:30)
Challenge number four: do not let your attitude dictate your giving style. -Follow the Holy Ghost! (2 Corthians 9:7)
Challenge number five: Give sacrificially and without recognition. (Matthew 6: 1-4)
