A repost from Biblical Steps To Financial Freedom
Christianity is burdensome when one does not understand the ways of God. It is difficult to accept or obey what we cannot understand. One of the most practical examples is the monetary side of our required obedience. This is in the area of monetary contributions, offerings and charitable giving.
Financial lack is still among the worst areas of affliction among believers, though for non-believers as well. Some are in huge debts. Others are lacking basic resources in their lives and Christian living. And so on. As believers God has given us biblical principles that relate to our material well-being. We can at least overcome areas within our sphere of responsibility. Applying God’s principles may not bring all we desire but it can eliminate avoidable and needless distress.
Same Principles, Different Limits
A text in Malachi that talks about tithing and offerings is a key reference to how God works through our financial obedience or disobedience. It’s important to note that tithing, that is, giving ten percent of our income, is not required in the New Testament era we’re in. We are freed, through Christ, from religious rituals of the Mosaic Law.
If tithing is still a requirement then we need to resurrect the whole Old Testament law. And all of us who go to church on Sunday would have no place in heaven until we returned to Seventh Day worship. Violation of this law is more eternally serious than violating requirements on tithes and offerings. So let no one deceive you that giving ten percent of our income is still our required minimum limit. Neither let them deceive you that a traditional church is the only accepted avenue for giving in the body of Christ.
However, the principles under tithing and offering requirements still apply in our day. So the text in Malachi still speaks to us today. The financial requirements in the New Testament era actually demand more than the old ten percent (tithe) minimum limit. We’re required to deny ourselves and to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Making ourselves as offerings to God is giving everything we have for his interests.
The early church in the book of Acts is a good example though not necessarily to be applied the same way they did. They sold their belongings and gave the funds to the apostles as stewards for all believers. Please don’t try this even if you hear a voice claiming to be from God. Continue you good deeds with bible based financial principles that are not based on emotions or strange voices. And let no ministry manipulate you by claiming to bring special rewards from heaven when you give to them. The bible talks about believers’ motives for giving while saying nothing on which ministry is more acceptable than another on financial matters.
We’re requested to be rich in good deeds, which is a way of storing up our treasure (wealth) in heaven. Our security is meant to be in what we’re saving up in heaven through good deeds rather than in how much our savings or earthly investments are worth (Matthew 6:19-21). It’s a complete opposite paradigm or standard from the secular approach. How much is required to be stored up in heaven is therefore as much as we can possibly manage. No percentage limits.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life,” 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
Obedience is the Key
Like in the old covenant era God brings whatever results based on our financial obedience or disobedience. He said to those who desired financial deliverance and freedom: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruits, says the Lord Almighty,” (Malachi 3:10-11).
So this is God’s way of providing material necessities. It is through giving. A tithe (ten percent) of ones income was the minimum in the Old Testament. Something is a gift when the giver requires nothing in return. It maybe financial, material, service of one’s talents and time, counsel and so on. It’s something that will contribute to the well-being of someone or group at the expense of the giver’s input.
Christianity is burdensome when one does not understand the ways of God. It is difficult to accept or obey what we cannot understand. One of the most practical examples is the monetary side of our required obedience. This is in the area of monetary contributions, offerings and charitable giving.
Financial lack is still among the worst areas of affliction among believers, though for non-believers as well. Some are in huge debts. Others are lacking basic resources in their lives and Christian living. And so on. As believers God has given us biblical principles that relate to our material well-being. We can at least overcome areas within our sphere of responsibility. Applying God’s principles may not bring all we desire but it can eliminate avoidable and needless distress.
Same Principles, Different Limits
A text in Malachi that talks about tithing and offerings is a key reference to how God works through our financial obedience or disobedience. It’s important to note that tithing, that is, giving ten percent of our income, is not required in the New Testament era we’re in. We are freed, through Christ, from religious rituals of the Mosaic Law.
If tithing is still a requirement then we need to resurrect the whole Old Testament law. And all of us who go to church on Sunday would have no place in heaven until we returned to Seventh Day worship. Violation of this law is more eternally serious than violating requirements on tithes and offerings. So let no one deceive you that giving ten percent of our income is still our required minimum limit. Neither let them deceive you that a traditional church is the only accepted avenue for giving in the body of Christ.
However, the principles under tithing and offering requirements still apply in our day. So the text in Malachi still speaks to us today. The financial requirements in the New Testament era actually demand more than the old ten percent (tithe) minimum limit. We’re required to deny ourselves and to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Making ourselves as offerings to God is giving everything we have for his interests.
The early church in the book of Acts is a good example though not necessarily to be applied the same way they did. They sold their belongings and gave the funds to the apostles as stewards for all believers. Please don’t try this even if you hear a voice claiming to be from God. Continue you good deeds with bible based financial principles that are not based on emotions or strange voices. And let no ministry manipulate you by claiming to bring special rewards from heaven when you give to them. The bible talks about believers’ motives for giving while saying nothing on which ministry is more acceptable than another on financial matters.
We’re requested to be rich in good deeds, which is a way of storing up our treasure (wealth) in heaven. Our security is meant to be in what we’re saving up in heaven through good deeds rather than in how much our savings or earthly investments are worth (Matthew 6:19-21). It’s a complete opposite paradigm or standard from the secular approach. How much is required to be stored up in heaven is therefore as much as we can possibly manage. No percentage limits.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life,” 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
Obedience is the Key
Like in the old covenant era God brings whatever results based on our financial obedience or disobedience. He said to those who desired financial deliverance and freedom: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruits, says the Lord Almighty,” (Malachi 3:10-11).
So this is God’s way of providing material necessities. It is through giving. A tithe (ten percent) of ones income was the minimum in the Old Testament. Something is a gift when the giver requires nothing in return. It maybe financial, material, service of one’s talents and time, counsel and so on. It’s something that will contribute to the well-being of someone or group at the expense of the giver’s input.
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