Implications
So having looked at what the Bible has to say about money we need to work out what this means for us. The first thing is straight forward but is foundational to everything that follows. Everything we have is Gods given to us to use for his glory. This means that being wealthy is not wrong, but that it also isn’t a sign of being right with God. And the inverse is true, being poor is not wrong neither is it a sign of not being right with God.
Secondly; what we do with what God gives us is what matters, we are to be those who use wealth with a view to eternity. This means that no matter what economic sphere we move in we will stand out among our neighbours. This Christian millionaire uses his or her money differently, as does the Christian struggling on benefits or a low income. In the early church we see that this love is worked out by alleviating the poverty of others, helping out when there is a need we can meet.
Should we tithe? In Luke 11:42 Jesus doesn’t say it’s wrong to tithe, as he deals with the Pharisees he approves of there tithing but calls them to additionally meet needs of justice and love that they come across. What Jesus attacks is not their giving of tithes but their failure to love others and seek justice as well as giving tithes.
If God gives us everything giving back 10% is actually economically a good deal. If on the other hand we regard it ours then it is more difficult. The Bible consistently tells us that giving is a privilege and we need to learn to view it as such. Giving tithes is not a rigid rule, nowhere is that expectation set out in the New Testament, but it is not condemned either. For some of us maybe it would be a good starting point to help us think about what we value and whether we are living for now or in the light of eternity. Though for some it would be impossible for many of us we are in a position to give much more.
One denomination worked out if each of its members lost their jobs and became unemployed and then each gave 10% of the benefits they received the churches giving would go up by £1 per head on average.
Fourthly the Bible would warn us about greed, that the love of money is a real danger in our society should come as no surprise to us. We need to learn to adjust our thinking to need not greed. It is also helpful to look at what our needs our, we are so moulded by our culture that often what we need is the result of advertising and assumptions based on the lives of those we live alongside rather than on Biblical principles. We need to evaluate our needs in the light of the Bible.
The way to stay free of it is to give money away. The Bible would encourage us to be generous with what God has given us to invest for him. We can do this if we live with an eye on the future. 1 Timothy would teach is that in our giving we need to ensure that we do not to become a burden on others, that we are providing for our families health and safety, and that can continue to do good by exercising hospitality and the like.
For many of us in the West the biggest challenge come sin the area of assessing our need and thinking beyond the Pharisees, to go beyond tithe if we can. What drives us is not the calculator but the cross where God gave his all for us.
2 comments:
Sir
Your use of the word "tithe" is unbiblical. In God's Word it is always the tithe "of food" only from inside Israel. Although money was common in Genesis and essential for sanctuary worship, money never occurs in 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe.
Jesus, Peter and Paul did not qualify as tithe-payers. The products of man's craft are exempted from what God miraculously increased. And the products from outside Israel only counted as defiled.
The only way to be blessed by tithing is by observing all 600+ commands of the OT law which is impossible.
Malachi 3:10 has been replaced by Galatians 3:10; 1:8-9; 3:1-2 and 2 Cor 3:10.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
See Deuteronomy 28-29. The entire law was a TEST. Obey and be blessed; disobey and be cursed.
NT giving is primarily sacrificial with no set limit up or down.
For over 150 articles on tithing see: www.tithing-russkelly.com
Thanks for your response.
I take it that one of the reason in Israel that it was a tithe of food was that is how many Israelites made their living. They were bringing a tithe of their produce (Lev 27:30). Most of us do not work the land and therefore a tenth of what we produce will be monetary. Also it was to provide food for the Levites and Priests and the offerings for the temple. The equivalent for us to offer is money.
Moreover in Genesis where we see the first tenth giving to God it is a tenth of everything (Gen 14:20). Jacob later vows to give a tenth of all that God gives him. Surely this is the root of the tithe.
I am not advocating tithing today, and certainly not as a means of blessing. Our blessings are based on what Christ has done for us and nothing else. New Testament giving is to be sacrificial and teher is no tithing in the New Testament church.
Tithing is not something that binds the Christian. However I do think that as a starting point for many who give God their lose change it may be helpful even if only as a starting point. For many to give a tenth would be radical, though the New Testament would call us to go beyond it, to love our neighbour as ourselves and God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Post a Comment