TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE – THAT IS THE QUESTION!
I had a man in my church who gave me a necktie with dollar signs ($) all over it. He told me he wanted me to wear it any time I was about to preach a message on giving, so he could turn around and go home instead of staying for that service. Of course he was kidding – I think!
But there is no doubt that the subject of giving is a very sensitive one. Of course it is a very biblical one as well. So it behooves every preacher to find out what the Bible has to say about it and regularly admonish his people and educate them as to what God expects of every believer.
I would like to advance somewhat of a forgotten concept gleaned from my study of the subject. At least it is forgotten in that I haven’t heard other preachers speaking or writing about it recently. Actually, if it is correct, it would solve all our financial problems in the church concerning financial needs. Basically it is something deduced from the pattern given in the Old Testament. It is this:
Tithes for the workers (pastor, assistants, missionaries, etc.)
Offerings for the work (buildings, buses, furnishing, etc.)
Love gifts for special things (“others” offerings, special projects, etc.)
Paul the Apostle advanced somewhat of this concept in 1 Corinthians 9 when he spoke about the priests in the Old Testament living off “the things of the Temple…” and then wrote these important words: “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
The Old Testament priests (the workers) lived off the tithes of the people. They used offerings to build the tabernacle and the temple. Then when they needed additional monies they asked for “freewill offerings” (love gifts?) which covered extra needs. Remember the chest Jehoiada the priest placed beside the altar so the people could take up a special collection for repairing the house of God?
2 Kings 12:8-9 And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people,
neither to repair the breaches of the house. 9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest,
and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh
into the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money
that was brought into the house of the Lord.
This is a very simplistic presentation, but I hope it is worthy of your prayerful consideration and personal study. Just think if all of God’s people simply tithed their gross income, every pastor could receive proper remuneration for his services, every missionary would get their needed support and God’s work and ministry would be furnished and kept fresh and in good repair.
None of the above will happen, of course, until and unless the people are taught God’s simple plan of giving. Pastors who shy away from preaching on giving (I was sometimes guilty), should realize that it is not something you are doing for personal gain (that’s what a hireling does!), but for the Lord’s work.
Instead of apologizing for preaching and teaching about Christian giving, perhaps we ought to use Paul for an example when he apologized for not doing so in 2 Cor. 12:13 and said “Forgive me this wrong…”
TRUSTING GOD’S PROMISES:
There are several very specific promises in the Bible concerning giving and its results. Believers need to be just that – believers – in what God says. If we can trust Him for eternal life, surely we can trust Him with our temporal life and temporal needs. Let’s use an example:
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with
the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The promise is simple. You must give to get. (You may not get the same currency you give, but God will surely honor His promise and cause others to help you meet your needs. For example, you may give money, but you may receive furniture or something else you really need.) Often believers quote the cliché that “you can’t outgive God” but very few really put Him to the test.
Forgive a personal illustration, please. We had always tithed and given offerings and love gifts for the work of God. But when we “retired” from the pastoral ministry, we put this verse to the test (better late than never, right?). We knew that we were not going to have a fixed income any longer, and with no real savings to speak of we had to simply trust the Lord. We decided to apply the above promise. God led us (this may not obviously be for everyone), to double tithe everything we received on the road. Of course we continue to give offerings and love gifts and nearly every week we place money in the offerings of the churches where we minister. Some churches have given us very generous offerings, while others didn’t even cover our expenses. However we continued to double tithe anything we received. Suffice it to say, God has honored His promise and we have been blessed even when we have had an empty calendar for meetings. We put Him to the test, and we believe He is pleased with that, and consequently He does exactly what He says.
Remember that this promise, like most others in the Bible, is conditional. We have to do our part and then He does His part.
Why not ask the Lord what He wants you to do regarding giving and put Him to the test. He will not and cannot fail!
THE DANGERS OF TITHING:
It can be very dangerous to tithe!
1. It can become an addictive habit.
2. It could lead to giving more and more.
3. It may tell others you really do love the Lord and His church.
4. It could help the church to the place where it would not need to “beg” for money.
5. It could keep the Pastor from ever mentioning the need for additional finances.
6. It could free up the Pastor to do what God has really called him to do: pray, study,
preach, visit the sick, help the needy and encourage everyone.
7. It may lead you to be less selfish.
8. You may catch a sacrificial spirit.
It can also be very dangerous not to tithe!
1. It may mean that God will have to extract His money from you some other way; hospitals, sickness, accidents, etc.
2. It may mean the Lord’s work will have to limp along on the crumbs or left-overs.
3. It may mean a great loss of souls being reached with the gospel.
4. It will mean a great loss of reward for obedience at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
SHEKELS AND SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Sometimes tithers get a superior attitude towards non-tithers. Tithing is a very personal transaction and should never be used to cause any believer from becoming judgmental towards others. Of course it is natural to question the motives of Christians who refuse to follow God’s commands, especially when Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” However that is not an excuse to question what is in the heart of others. In fact, there is really no way anyone can possibly know when someone else does or does not tithe!
Some pastors check on the giving of their members. I never did that because I was afraid it would influence my attitude towards them. And knowing my flesh, I am sure it would have. Even if I did do so, I could never be 100% sure of what any individual gave. They could have given in cash or some other anonymous method and I would have been guilty of falsely judging them.
LUCRE AND LEGALISM:
Tithers can make tithing and end instead of a beginning. They miserly count out the tithe to the exact penny. Like the wife who asked her husband for a little money. He said, “Sure honey, how little?” Some begrudge any penny more than an exact tithe.
The Old Testament Law regarding tithing was not so “legalistic” after all. The “first tithe” or the Levitical Tithe, went to the Levites because they received no earthly inheritance as did the other Israelites. Each of the 12 tribes brought their tenth, so the Levites received 120%! Old Testament workers received at least 20% more than the average person in the congregation. It is often the opposite (or worse!) today.
Tithers should be the most generous and non-legalistic givers in the church.
COINS AND CONTROVERSY:
“To tithe or not to tithe, that is the question.” The real question is how far beyond the tithe does the Lord expect us to go? The question should be rephrased: “To see how much God will bless based on my generosity to His work.”
A preacher encouraged all who would tithe to stand in an evening service. He had the pews wired to give every one a jolt of electricity and pushed the button so all had to stand. The next day he found three Scotchmen electrocuted!
SILVER AND STEWARDSHIP:
Someone said tithing takes the oyster stew out of the church and puts the stew in stewardship. Churches with consistently tithing church members do not need suppers, sales and circuses to raise finances.
You cannot substitute silver for service or tithes for time and talents. When God’s people get the concept that “If I tithe, I don’t have to serve,” not only is their motive wrong, but the church suffers. Giving biblically should and does encourage service! If God has our pocketbooks and wallets, He usually has our hearts as well.
PESOS AND PROBLEMS:
Tithing will not end all church problems, but it will eliminate selfishness, result in satisfaction for the giver, encourage more complete dedication and will enable the church to carry on its main mission without financial hindrance.
Of course tithing will not solve the sin problem. Some folks think they can buy their way to heaven by sacrificial giving.
One elderly lady who was our neighbor when we were in Bible college helped to bail us out of a financial pinch by loaning us a fairly large sum of money. At first I got the impression that she thought she could earn points with God by doing this for a Bible college student. When I carefully explained that this was not the case and gave her the plan of salvation, I finally accepted her loan and repaid her fully in a very short time.
CHRISTIAN CRIMINALS:
Malachi 3:8-10 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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.
There have been some hideous and heinous crimes committed in America and around the world. Names like Dahmer, Manson, Speck, Gacy, Dillinger, Capone and Bundy come to mind. Now we have computer criminals to add to the list, including those who steal people’s identities and run up tremendous debts in their name.
But God adds CHRISTIAN CRIMINALS to the list as those who don’t just rob men, but also rob God! He even specifies the nature of their crimes: “Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
Some say that tithing was a Mosaic Law event not to be repeated in the Church Age. However, tithing pre-dated and ante-dated the Law. Abraham is mentioned as the first tither (he must have learned it somewhere!), long before the Law was given. Jesus mentioned it in the Gospels to His disciples, and we are told in Hebrews that the practice continues today. In fact the entire chapter 7 in that book deals with the subject.
Hebrews 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom
it is witnessed that he liveth.
The problem arises in the above passage as to exactly who is the “he” receiving tithes today? Some say it is Melchisedec. Is that reasonable? Is Melchisedec still receiving tithes at the time Hebrews was written? Others (myself included), tend to think that it is the Lord Jesus of whom Melchisedec was a type who is in view.
Be that as it may, I doubt if any would argue today that men have not robbed God in “offerings” if not in tithes. As far as I can tell both classes are indicted in the text and I know of no one who doesn’t believe in offerings in the Church Age. That being true CHRISTIAN CRIMINALS must still be around. At least the principle of robbing God is valid and totally scriptural.
Perhaps what we should ask is: is it still possible to be God robbers as Israel was in Malachi’s day? The answer seems obvious, at least to this writer.
It is very interesting that no one seems to complain when the box office at a ball-game or amusement park demands payment. (Well we might complain, but we still realize that payment is necessary.) We shell out shekels for our home, utilities, a car, a swimming pool, vacations, etc., but when the Bible seems to demand that believers contribute to God for the very air they breathe, the health they enjoy, the food He supplies, the beauty all around us, the sunlight and the rain, some get all bent out of shape. (At least the CHRISTIAN CRIMINALS do!)
If you don’t believe in tithing, how much do you think is reasonable to give to the Lord’s work? It seems that 10% is a measly amount for God to expect us to return to Him. It is the kindergarten of giving. If it is “as God hath prospered” (1 Cor. 16:2), then perhaps it should be a great deal more than 10%. Amen?
If you look carefully at the verses in Malachi above you will note that a curse is promised for the God robbers and for their land. Could this be why America is in the terrible shape it is in today? Could this be at least part of the reason churches must go begging and missionaries must spend such long periods on deputation?
It is interesting how easily the world and many Christians pass out their pesos for entertainment and the comforts of life without squawking. A lady who came to our house yesterday to collect blood samples from my wife said she paid $14.00 for one cocktail (!) in a restaurant in Cape May, N.J. last week! Not complaining – she said she had a good time!
Even if you believe the text is for O.T. believers only, isn’t the principle about proving God still valid? There is a direct connection between our generosity with Him and His blessings on us. I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind God opening up the windows of heaven and pouring out blessings on me and if I can find out how to get Him to do so I definitely need to know that.
MONEY TALKS! (ABOUT YOU)
Mark 12:41-44 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.
Someone has said that the most sensitive nerve in the human body is the one that leads to the pocketbook.
Have you heard about the two hunters who were in the woods? One got shot through the head and wasn’t hurt, he just plugged up the hole. The other one got shot and dropped dead. At the autopsy it was determined that he wasn’t hit in his body, he was shot through the wallet!
The reason we are so touchy about money is because we are so closely identified with our dollars. Money represents us: our time, toil and talents. Our picture may not be on any bill, but our person is certainly in it. MONEY TALKS! (ABOUT US).
Someone came up with this little ditty: “If money talks, as some folks tell, To most of us it says farewell!”
Money not only talks about us, it spoke volumes one day when Jesus was sitting over by the Temple treasury watching what folks put in. (There’s a scary thought! I wonder if He watches what we put into the offering at church? Duh! Ya think?!) One of the strangest sights in church is at offering time. In a department store or the grocery store people openly display their money, but in a church service it is amazing the lengths Christians go to to hide what they give! Some fold their bills so the denomination can’t be seen. Others hold their hand over their offering till the plate is about to move on. Some even cup their wallets in their hands!
Dr. John Broadus, great preacher from the past, at offering time in his church one Sunday began following the users down the aisles, watching what everyone place in the offering plates. The people were shocked. After the offering was taken, he announced, “Folks don’t be alarmed at what I just did. Jesus sees what we put into the plates every week – and also what we keep for ourselves.”
Jesus knows what we give, but also what we don’t give. He not only knows what we give and withhold, but even examines our motives for “God loves a cheerful giver.” He is not too pleased with those who give grudgingly or of necessity!
That day Jesus sat by the treasury he saw the large amounts given by the rich, and the mite given by the widow. In his eyes what she gave, proportionately, was so much more than what they gave. He was evaluating what they gave and what they kept!
One preacher remarked: “When I look at my well-dressed congregation, I ask ‘Where are the poor?’ But when the offering is counted I ask ‘Where are the rich?’ ” Another preacher commented “The poor are always welcome in this church, and when I glance at the offering, I know they have come.”
The Lord looks at what a person is, not what a person has! Christ noticed both the wealthy and the widow. He even recorded the amount of the widow’s offering. The “rich cast in much” – perhaps with much show. The “poor widow…threw in two mites” – perhaps hurriedly and embarrassingly “throwing in” her small gift.
Jesus’ evaluation was based not on the size of the gift given, but on what the givers kept for themselves. The rich gave out of their abundance. The widow gave “all her living.” That is sacrificial giving! (Even if you don’t believe in tithing, if you want to please the Lord try this style of giving!)
Just a little P.S. The Bible doesn’t say what ever happened to this widow. Did she starve? Did she become homeless? “I trow not!” Knowing our Savior, I am certain that He saw to her needs because He promised to do so in Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?
or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.
GIVE TILL IT STOPS HURTING!
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 (read the whole passage)
It is true that God declares that every man is to give “as God hath prospered Him” and as “he purposeth in his heart,” but it is likewise true that He has given a holy standard below which no man should go.
He desires that our gifts be from willing hearts, but He also has a definite plan for our giving. I can preach and teach about God’s plan of salvation, His plan for building the church, His plan for the future, but when preaching about God’s plan for financing His work and workers there is often a different reaction. One reason people are so touchy about their giving is due to the abuse by some preachers (think Jimmy Swaggart), teachers (think Bill Gothard), and TV evangelists and self-styled “healers” (think Benny Hinn).
One preacher asked everyone in the congregation who would give $10.00 for a special project to stand and then he instructed the pianist to play the Star Spangled Banner!
Preachers shouldn’t use gimmicks or tricky methods or badger, bemoan or belittle people to give. They should clearly teach and preach on giving regularly, however, to show what God says on the subject.
The origin of God’s financial plan was simple. The earth belongs to Him by right of creation, and of course everything we have was given or loaned to us by Him.
Psalms 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Leviticus 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. (This one verse settles the “Palestinian Question!”)
Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, IS (note the tense) the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord.
Let’s look at several instances of these principles:
1. Adam & Eve: They had an abundance of God’s creation at their disposal, but God kept the Tree of
the knowledge of Good & Evil for Himself
2. God demanded their sacrifice and obviously specified the nature of what was acceptable
3. Noah offered sacrifices (not money yet)
4. Abraham & Melchizedek represent the first actual mention of the word “tithe” 434 years before the Law – under pure grace
5. Moses institution of the Law only reiterated God’s plan for financing His work and added details
Under the Law the tithe was to insure that God’s servants were adequately cared for.
Numbers 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of
the tabernacle of the congregation.
Nehemiah 13:10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them:
for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
It is a shame that God forgot to take care of His N.T. servants – or did He?
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which
preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
In the O.T. God designated the “offerings” be used that God’s work be adequately cared for. Only the best was good enough for God in the O.T. Today, God’s people often “tip” God or give Him the left-overs of their income – after bills are paid, etc.
The furnishings in the Tabernacle and Temple were first class and very expensive. Failure to give the tithe and offering would have caused God’s work to fall into disrepair and disrepute.
So the question now is what about N.T. believers? Does God have a plan for the Church Age? Let’s answer the question with a question, the way Jews and Jesus often did. Does God change? NO! Does His system of finance change? My answer is obviously no. What about yours? As far as I can see the principle of tithes and offerings was established before the Law, continued the same during the Law, and apparently, as far as I can tell, continues to be ongoing.
Although Paul did have a part time job making tents and did not “charge” the Corinthian church for his services, he admitted that he did have a right to expect God’s people to support him. He even went so far as to apologize to them for not accepting their gifts and thus stunting their spiritual growth.
1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:7-9 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man:
for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
2 Corinthians 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches,
except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
God always has a plan which is always spelled out in His Word for His servants and His service. Oft times we simply ignore what He has said, or we “reinterpret” it to suit ourselves and our preconceptions, biases or what someone else has taught us.
It is something like the barefoot boy who was being taunted by other children, “You are a Christian, why doesn’t God tell His friends to send you some shoes?” The little barefoot boy answered, “I think God does tell them, but they don’t listen.” ARE YOU LISTENING?
God doesn’t want your money – He wants YOU! Does He have YOU? If so, He already has your money.
I am convinced that if believers simply found out, by studying the Scriptures, what God’s plan for giving was, that every pastor-teacher, evangelist & missionary would be properly supported financially. Preachers wouldn’t have to be embarrassed to speak of their needs, missionaries wouldn’t have to beg for support on deputation for two or three years and God’s work, including buildings and buses, etc. would not go wanting.
Isn’t it logical that God DOES have a plan? Shouldn’t every serious believer know what that plan is by being a “workman that needeth not to be ashamed” by digging in His Book.
Some time ago someone wrote a book about cooking entitled “Magic With Leftovers.” Unfortunately that is exactly what the church has to do with money! Isn’t it about time that we quit trying to squeak by with “leftovers” and find out what God has to say on the subject of giving?
I have tried to approach the subject with humility, but also with Scripture and logic. I hope you will accept this treatise in the same way.
Dr. Paul C. Fedena