Today’s Reading, 2 Corinthians 5-9
Focal Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.”
How have you been taught to give when it comes to your money? For many people they have been taught that ten percent is what you should give for the ministries of the church. This is a standard that is set and should never change. People are required to give this or they are being disobedient. What if we’re to tell you that was completely unbiblical for the Nee Testament believer. This is going to rub people the wrong way but the way tithing is taught today violates hermeneutics and context of the passage.
In today’s reading we see what is expected of New Testament giving. It clearly says that each person should give as they have decided in their heart. A person shouldn’t give reluctantly or out of compulsion. A believer should give cheerfully. We actually get more reasons to not give in this passage than we are told to give. We are not given a standard! Paul does tell us that if you sow sparingly you will reap sparingly. If you sow abundantly you will reap abundantly. This truth lets us know that you will get out what you put in.
The application for this truth should bring liberation to the believer. If you want to use a tenth as a guide you can but stop telling believers they are being unbiblical if they don’t do what you want them to do with giving money. Our hearts matter more than the amount that we give to the church.
So what is the application for believers? Diligently pray about what God wants you to give to the ministry of the word. For some of you ten percent may be too much. Give what you can without grumbling or complaining. For others of you ten percent is nowhere close to what God wants you to give. You might be able to give sixty percent of your income and never notice.
The point of biblical giving is to examine your heart and give because you want to not because you were told to give. This will be difficult for some people to take hold of but a truth that must be realized.
God is more concerned about why we give than the amount we give. Don’t allow religious people to put a burden on you that you were never meant to carry when it comes to giving. Make no doubt I believe you should give but you should give what the Lord has placed on your heart.
When giving becomes biblical it becomes cheerful. When giving becomes legalistic it becomes a burden. Will you follow biblical principles or principles that people have convinced you are accurate?
I encourage you to follow Biblical giving.
Tomorrow I plan on reading 2 Corinthians 10-13
