Giving- Tithing in the New Testament

Well its after 11:17 pm on a Sunday night which means one thing: I didn't keep my self-imposed bed-time-on-a-school-night yet again. Why am I just now starting a blog post when I'm supposed to be in bed? I don't know- but I'll try to make it quick.

Today's sermon at my beloved church, Immanuel Baptist Church, was on money. "oh no", you think, "a sermon about money!" But it was really helpful. Very humbly presented and a clear picture of giving from the Old and New testament.

I won't sum up the whole thing here- but just tell you a few things I found interesting/thought provoking.

We think the Bible teaches of a tithe. Actually, the Old Testament law teaches that the Israelites were to give 23 1/3 percent! 10% went to the Levites (reference somewhere in Leviticus, sorry I missed that one). 10% to a festival in Jerusalem ( Dueteronomy 14:22). And every three years, 10% went to the soujourner, the poor, and the widow among them (Duet. 14:28)
That totals 23 1/3 %. So if you say "I give 10% because the Bible teaches it!"- well actually you should be giving more!

So what about the New Testament?
Jesus only speaks of a tithe one time. It is mentioned one other time in the NT also, in Hebrews. But the NT does speak of giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

If you are a believer- the Holy Spirit lives in you and can lead you to know how much to give to the work of the church. Maybe that will be 10%. Maybe it will be 23% or 50% of your income! Maybe it means $10 a month for you or maybe it means $500 or $5,000. But God doesn't want churches to coerce or guilt people into giving . At the same time, if a person truly is a believer and understands that God can provide for their every need, no believer will think "I'm gonna give the smallest amount possible! Haha! I sure got off easy!" No- the Lord loves one who gives cheerfully as they are led by Him to give.

Additionally, when you understand that Jesus left the ultimate riches of Heaven to come to earth to die for you sins- He left ALL to stretch out His arms and pay the price for our iniquity- you won't dwell on "what percentage should I give?" Our giving should be grace-based sacrificial giving.

I've caught myself thinking and maybe even saying "yeah, we're just poor seminary students right now". Well, our income put us in the top 7% of people on this planet as far as yearly income goes. Top 7 %.
I have a roof over my head in the thunderstorm right now
I am not poor.
I have a computer to type this on. I can read the words I am typing.
I am not poor
I have a myriad of shoes to wear tomorrow, as I got to my job.
What excuse do i have for not giving more?
I have been saved by a Savior who "though he was rich, for my sake became poor".

christians, we must give! Give generously to your church, to missions, to the poor, to orphans and widows.
The Lord can provide all your needs, and calls you to give cheerfully. Trust Him!!