Tithing was a means of legislating morality through giving which predated the law of Moses under Melchizedek. It was a minimum..and it was because you had to not because you wanted to. Further, the law was used to TRAIN the flesh to behave morally…why? Because there was no permanent indwelling of the spirit at that time…so some people did not give from the inside/spirit out they …gave from the outside/flesh in through obedience. Under Christ there is NO SIN against one who tithes (The sinfulness is when one exerts control and is motivated by greed). Further the debate on Tithing is actually a non-essential because salvation is not attached to it. However, blessings are a result of any form of sincerece giving because there are benefits when one is obedient to God whether in the Old or New Testament (Note: there is a Distinct difference between Moral/Ten Commandments, Civic and Ceremonial Laws).
Giving from your heart is the best way and when an individual does it they should do so cheerfully and not with a grudge. Unfortunately, many have a “small heart” for Giving because they don’t share even when they are able or give so disproportionately low for no reason. The Bible says…wherever your treasure is there your heart will be also so its not about he amount but about the intent (i.e., 2 pennies from a widow is more that $4000 from a scornful millionaire trying to buy a blessing)…Lastly, tithing in our time is a guide to teach people how to give in hopes that they will do so from the spirit (LAW is for the flesh)… So the argument is not about tithing theologically (You hear and read a plethora of posts and websites with phrases such as “No longer under the law”, “not in new testament”, or a “tenth was not real money but fruits and veggies!”)… the truth is that some people do not give and did not give under the OLD or NEW covenant because of greed, mismanagement of funds or not understanding that God’s uses “those” who are his as a conduit to fund his Kingdom agenda.
The needs of the poor, indigent and spiritually opressed need to benefit from the spreading of the Gospel in the marketplace not only in words but also in the areas of Multimedia, Technology, Civic Government, Family Unity, Music and Medicine. Remember, giving is the antidote to Selfishness and Greed…God is the source of our provision! So if you dont believe that giving in “context” is important, just ask the Rich man who had but did not Give…but God required his soul so he ended up giving all he had. ~ Pastor A.M.
