Introduction
– Another good subject to consider, when there is no ‘urgent
need’ in the church, is the requirement of the tithe. Some think of it as ‘membership dues’, and it isn’t. It isn’t the fee for this ‘lecture series’,
it isn’t a ‘bribe’ to pay off God, and it isn’t a legalistic form of
works-righteousness. But it also isn’t
relegated to the annals of Old Testament ceremonial law either, with no
application for today. The tithe, with
its principals, purposes and promises, remains in force today for all of God’s
people.
Tithing Before Moses (Gen 14:20, 28:22) –
Before the Mosaic law gives detailed instructions on tithes and offerings, the
practice of giving ‘a tenth’ was already in place among God’s people.
Instructions on the Tithe (Deut
14:22-29) – We will not study each passage on tithing in one message. But this passage addresses many of the major
principles surrounding the tithe.
From Your
Increase (v22) – With each harvest, you are to remember
to ‘tithe a tithe’, truly, before the Lord.
This is the increase from your labors – “What do you have that you have
not received…” (1 Cor 4:7). From the
moment you get a paycheck, you must remember, it is all the Lord’s, for it is
all from the Lord.
Learning to
Fear God (v23) – How does tithing do this? (Deut
26:1-11). Tithing expresses that
everything you have is because of God and His grace. It is all His, not just the tenth, and you remember you are
always completely dependant upon His grace for everything. God isn’t one of your creditors, exacting
his tax from your earnings. He is your
Provider – and you are not.
The Joy of
Giving Enjoyed (vv24-26) – The worshipper was to come to the
Lord’s place and feast with his household (and others). Giving your tithe shouldn’t look like a trip
to the post office on April 15th.
Giving your tithe should look like a full table, the best wine, and
generous hands rejoicing in God’s goodness again and again.
Don’t Forget
(vv27-28) – Surrounding the tithe and the feast is the local care of those who
minister in the gospel, and those who are under hard providences who are in
your midst. And this is done with an
eye to even greater blessing (v28).
New Testament Teaching – The NT
assumes the same principles are in place in its writings. While the Mosaic economy is gone, the tithe
is the principle, not one of the details.
Proportionate
Giving (1 Cor 16:1-2) – “as he may prosper”, that is,
on the increase.
The Support of
Ministers (1 Cor 9:14) – ‘Even so’, or in the same manner
as the OT priests received their support.
A Heart of
Celebration and Generosity (2 Cor 9:7) – Tithes and offerings,
rightly given, come from hearts overflowing.
And here, the giving is being directed to relieve the poor.
Expectation of
Further Blessing (Phil 4:17) – Paul’s eye is not on the
gift, but the fruit that will come to the givers. We give, that we might reap again, that we might give again.
FAQ’s on Tithing – When these
questions are asked from hearts leaping with desire to serve the Lord, there
are helpful guidelines. When the
questions are really smokescreens for legalism, covetousness and greed, they
only heap upon you greater condemnation.
Net or Gross?
– These are not ‘biblical terms’, but in general, remember that the tithe is on
the increase. But remember that the
tithe is treated as ‘seed corn’(2 Cor 9:6) – you will reap what you sow.
Where do I
tithe? – It appears that lawful recipients of the
tithe would include those who minister to you in the gospel and the surrounding
ministries of that work, those who are providing you with biblical teaching,
brothers and sisters in particular need, and the poor in your midst. It also appears that part of the tithe is to
fund some form of feasting before the Lord.
What if I am in
debt? – Again, generally speaking, what these
passages teach us is that when you think you cannot afford to tithe, the truth
of the matter is that you cannot afford not to.
What Does This Have To Do With Body Life?
(Mal 3:8-10) – These are not simply warnings and promises to
individuals, but to the covenant gathering of believers. We are that holy nation, and we will
experience the curses and blessings of God as a people, not simply as
individuals. Are we robbing God? Or is our whole life as ‘one body’ an expression of overwhelming gratitude,
marked by particular opportunities to express that as in the giving of tithes
and offerings. Do we fear God? And have we learned to feast before Him with
thanksgiving in that fear?
Biblical
tithing is not simply a ‘personal issue’ between you and the Lord, although it
is that. Biblical tithing is a measure
of the body’s understanding of God’s immeasurable grace, absolute sovereignty,
hope in future grace, and our call to imitate our Lord’s generosity. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (1 Cor 9:15).