By: Sunday Eyanrin
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INTRODUCTION
Looking at our topic for discussion, there seems to be a lot of controversies over the subject of Giving in the Christian Religious world today.
Some believe that there is no regulation to giving by God, with many, tithe is the only stipulated way for giving, while some others believe, it is not necessary to give. Brethren, if the Lord our God has prescribed a pattern for what we should do in other aspects of Worship, e.g. Prayer, Singing, and Communion e.t.c. Why should man presume that God left the item of giving as optional?
DEFINITION OF WORD
Beloved, it has become necessary that we define the key word in this important discussion:
The word “PATTERN”
WHAT IS PATTERN?
Pattern, can be simply defined as a particular way in which something is done, or organized.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF GIVING
A brief historical analysis of the bible reveals that from the beginning of human existence, giving has been an obligation from man to God.
The Old Testament Scriptures reveals two types of Giving which were mandatory.
(1) OFFERINGS – (SACRIFICES)
(2) TITHES – (A TENTH OF THE PRODUCE OF THE LAND, GRAIN, FRUITS, WINE, HERDS, FLOCKS ETC. LEVITICUS 27: 30 – 33.
SACRIFICES (OFFERINGS)
The book of Leviticus gave a detail analysis of five separate and distinct offerings stipulated for the Children of Israel to be made unto the Lord.
- THE BURNT OFFERING-LEVITICUS 1:1 – 17.
- MEAT OFFERING-LEVITICUS 2:1 – 16
- PEACE OFFERING-LEVITICUS3:1 – 17
- THE SIN OFFERING-LEVITICUS 4:1 – 35
- THE TRESPASS OFFERING-LEVITICUS 5:1 -19
What is Tithe?
The English word “Tithe’’ is derived from an Hebrew word (ASAR) meaning “Tenth 1/10.”
At the inception of the Jewish laws and ordinances by God for the Children of Israel, Tithe
was inclusive. There are four (4) types of Tithes the Lord has commanded for the Children of Israel. They are as follows:
- THE REGULAR TITHE
- THE TITHE OF TITHES
- THE ANNUAL TITHE
- THE THIRD YEAR TITHE
THE REGULAR TITHE
The regular tithe is designed by God for the up keep of the Levites -Numbers 18:21 – 24.
THE TITHE OF TITHES
The Tithe of Tithes is a special type of Tithe, when the Children of Israel gives their Tithes to the Levites, the Levites will in turn give a Tenth (1/10) to the Lord (This is the Tithe of Tithes)- Numbers 18:26-28.
THE ANNUAL TITHE
The Annual Tithe is a unique Tithe, because it is a Tithe that is not paid to anyone, but to be consumed by their families at Jerusalem- Deuteronomy 14:22-27, 2 Chronicles 6: 5 – 6.
THE THIRD YEAR TITHE
In the third year Tithe, the Children of Israel are commanded by God to drop a (1/10) of their produce at the gate of the Levites for the Levites, Strangers, the fatherless, and the widows, at the end of every three years for their up keep. Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 26:12 – 13.
THE END OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LAWS AND ORDINANCES
At the fullness of time, the Old Testament laws and Ordinances fulfilled their purpose and became obsolete. Colossians 2:14-17 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ”. Read also Gal. 3:24 – 26, Heb.7:11 -12 & 18-19, Heb. 8:6 – 13, Rom. 10:4.
THE COMING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT INTO FORCE
The New Testament laws coming into force ushered in a more excellent system of worship, by how much our Lord is the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises – Hebrews 8:6.
The annulment of the Old Testament laws and ordinances brings to an end the Sabbath worship, and the first day of the week (otherwise known as the Lord’s Day) worship took immediate effect at the establishment of the Lord’s Church on Pentecost. Acts. 2:41-42.
THE NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
The New Testament worship is of Spirit and Truth – John 4:23-24. There are five items recorded in the New Testament worship. Prayer, Singing, Teaching, Giving, The Lord’s Supper.
Our focus for discussion is on ‘’GIVING’’
THE INSTITUTION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN OF GIVING
The Christian giving was born out of necessity. The Institution of the Christian giving began when there was a great famine all over the world. Acts 11:27-30 “And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul’’.
In Romans 15:25 – 27, Apostle Paul declared ‘’But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things’’. NKJV
GIVING AS COMMANDED
From the above instances of need, giving in the New Testament Church became necessary, to take care of the basic needs of the local Church.
In 1 Corinthians 16:1- 2, Apostle Paul, by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave the command to the Churches at Galatia, and by implication, to the Churches of Christ universally.
He declared: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come’’.
REGULATIONS ON GIVING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
- The Christian giving is upon the first day of the week -1 Corinthians 16:1-2
- The Christian giving should be proportionally – as we are prospered. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
- The Christian giving should be purposefully – as we purpose in our hearts 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
- The Christian giving should be from a cheerful heart – not grudgingly. 2 Corinthians 9:7
- The Christian giving should be liberally – not sparingly, but bountifully 2 Corinthians 9:7
- The Christian giving should be willingly – not under compulsion 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
REWARD FOR BOUNTIFUL GIVING
Brethren, if GOD has taken away the Burdens of Tithes and Burnt Offerings away from you and me.
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GIVING TO GOD AS A CHRISTIANS?
Brethren, does it matter to you, if your Giving is rejected by GOD?
Brethren, it is now or never, that we have a change of our negative attitudes toward giving.
Every Lord’s Day we pray and beg GOD for not giving rightly, we have been blessed by the Lord, but every passing Lord’s Day, we rob Him. The Lord has declared in Romans 6:1-2:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? NKJV
Brethren, remember
Hebrews 10:26: For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. NKJV
CONCLUSION
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 6:26 NKJV
BRETHREN, HAVE YOU BEEN STINGY IN YOUR GIVING TO THE LORD? WHY NOT REPENT AND BE GENEROUS IN GIVING TO THE LORD TODAY, AND SEE WHAT THE LORD WILL DO.
MAY GOD BLESS HIS WORDS IN JESUS NAME AMEN.
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