Found Faithful Bonus Lesson 2 - "Christian Giving 101"

Tithing Before the Law

That's probably the easy part of this discussion because when you start to read the Old Testament this issue of the tithe gets a little More complicated, so I want to do my best to keep it simple. But you will need to track with me a little bit as we think about this.

Let's start by thinking about tithing before the law. Let's start there because one of the interesting things about this concept of the tithe is you do see it practiced prior to the law of Moses, so Genesis chapter 14.

Place to start Genesis chapter 14. So Genesis chapter 14 beginning in verse 17. This is 14 17 after Abram. So just actually give us context. This is the rescue of Lot by Abram and essentially his militia.

So this is right after that verse 17. After Abram returned from defeating Caelo and the kings who were with him. The king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley. That is the Kings Valley. Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.

He was a priest to God most high. He blessed him being Abram said Abram is blessed by God most high Creator of heaven and earth and blessed be God most high who has handed over your enemies to you if I want to focus on verse 20 and Abram gave him a tenth of Everything so from the spoils that he receives Abraham gives to Melchizedek this Tenth this tithe.

In fact, if you go up on the King James Version, that's how it translates this. It says that he gave him a tithe of all gives him this tenth portion of His Income essentially from this raid. The next time that you see the tithe is with Jacob so in Genesis chapter 28.

Genesis chapter 28 so this is after the Jacob's ladder vision as was often known as verse 18. Genesis 28. 18 Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker.

He poured oil on top of it and named the place Bethel. So previously the name the city was named Luz. Then Jacob made a vow if God will be with me and watch over me. During this journey I'm making if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear and if I return safely to My father's family then Yahweh the Lord will be my God this stone I have set up that I have set up as a marker will be God's house and I will give you a Tenth of all you give me.

Again.

Another manifestation of this principle of giving a tenth to God. Following a act of deliverance or an act of mercy on his part. So before the law you see the principle of tithing. Well for a moment, let's think about tithing as it actually happened under the law so those tithing before the law and Then there is tithing under the law.

Like I said, this is where we it's gonna get a little bit complicated. I'm gonna need you to follow with me under the Mosaic Covenant under the covenant that God made with Israel with Moses being the mediator Israel actually paid three tithes.

So not just one they paid three. The first of these tithes you could call the Levitical tithe or the tithe for the Levites. So we're gonna look at a few passages. Numbers 18 numbers 18 verse 21. Number chapter 18 verse 21 says look this is God speaking.

I Have given the Levites every tenth in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work. They do the work of the tent of meeting. The Israelites must never again come near the tent of meeting or they will incur guilt and die.

The Levites will do the work of the tent of meeting and they will bear the consequence of their iniquity. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. This is a permanent statute among your generations for I have given them the tent.

That the Israelites present to Yahweh as a contribution for their inheritance. This is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. So the Levites were the priestly tribe within the nation of Israel they administered Israel sacrificial system and its priesthood and so God says because you are the Administration for this priesthood you do not get to have a specific inheritance.

Within the land remember. Know your Bible well end of Joshua the land gets basically chopped up and given to the various tribes. Levi don't get a section of their own instead. Because they are the priestly tribe and they need to be able to represent the Lord throughout the nation.

They are given cities throughout the nations. But to maintain their work and to provide for them God says that the people were to provide a tithe. And so the first tithe that you see is a Levitical tithe it's a tithe for the upkeep and the Maintenance of the priesthood, but there's a second tithe.

So that's tithe number one, tithe number two. You could call the tithe of rejoicing or the celebration tithe. So Deuteronomy chapter 14, I should send it one more note on the first tithe the Levitical tithe.

Which is I want to talk about where we're supposed to go. This tithe we're told was supposed to go to the place where the Levites directly serve. That's gonna be important because we're gonna look at a rather popular passage on tithing and it's going to make this point.

It just often gets missed because we don't know the historical context. So that tithe was supposed to go to where the Levites served. There was a place where that tithe was stored up. All right, tithe number two, Deuteronomy 14 verse 22.

Deuteronomy 14 and verse 22 and God is speaking and giving instruction to his people. Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce going in your fields. You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, fresh oil and the firstborn of your herd and flock in the presence Of Yahweh your God at the place where he chooses to have his name dwelt.

So that you will always learn to fear Yahweh your God. But if the distance is too great for you to carry it since the place where Yahweh your God chooses to put his name is too far away from you and Since Yahweh your God has blessed you then exchange it for silver take the silver in your hand and go to the place Yahweh your God chooses.

You may spend the silver on anything you want. Cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer or anything you desire. You are to feast there in the presence of Yahweh your God and rejoice with your family. Do not neglect the Levite within your city gates since he has no portion or inheritance among you.

So This is the second tithe that we see. So the first tithe goes to the Levites. This one is slightly more interesting. The recipients, the people who receive this tithe. Are the offerers themselves. It goes back to them.

Part of it would obviously go to the Levites. That's why verse 27 says do not neglect the Levite within your city gates. Since he has no portion or inheritance with you.

But by and large, this is for the.

Enjoyment of those Who offer it. Turn over to Deuteronomy 12 gives us a little more detail on this Deuteronomy chapter 12. So God is giving this warning against idolatry saying don't worship. In the place you decide to choose because God is the one who gets to regulate worship.

Pick it up with me in verse 4. It says don't worship the Lord your God this way instead. Turn to the place Yahweh your God chooses from all your tribes to put his name for his dwelling and go there. You are to bring there your burnt offerings and sacrifices your tents and personal contributions your vow offerings and free will offerings and the firstborn of your flocks and Herds, you will eat there in the presence of Yahweh.

So you see how same thing as what we just read in Deuteronomy 14 you will eat there in the presence of Yahweh your God and Rejoice with your household in everything you do because Yahweh your God has blessed you.

Jump down to verse 11. She's a sign. Verse 10. When you cross the Jordan and live in the land Yahweh your God is giving you to inherit and he gives you rest from all the enemies around you you live in security.

Verse 11. Then Yahweh your God will choose the place to have his name bring their everything I command you your burnt offerings sacrifices offerings of the ten. Personal contributions and all your choice offerings you vow to Yahweh more verse verse 17.

Verse 17 is within your city gates. You may not eat the tenth of your grain new wine or fresh oil. The first born of your flock and heard any of your vow offerings that you pledge your free will offerings or contributions.

That's 18. You are to eat them in the presence of Yahweh your God at the place Yahweh your God chooses you your son and daughter your male and female slave and the Levites who is within your city gates.

Rejoice before Yahweh your God in everything you do and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your. One more passage just to make the point verse jump over to chapter. You trying to be 16.

You trying to be chapter 16. Again, sort of similar principle being given a deuteronomy 16 all your males are to appear before me. Three appear three times excuse me a year before Yahweh your God and the place he Chooses at the festival of unleavened bread the first of the weeks of the festival shelters.

No one is to appear before Yahweh empty-handed. Okay, you see this principle when people gather in the presence of Yahweh in the place he chooses they are not to come empty-handed. So tag number two is this what's often called the rejoicing tide or the tithe of joy?

Essentially you are to take the first of your produce that you receive you Take of that you go to the place that Yahweh has chosen and you basically have a feast in the presence of Yahweh if there was too much to carry to where you need to go the idea was you could exchange it for money and Then take that money buy things in or closer to the place and same thing you have this feast in the presence of Yahweh.

I read this passage in Deuteronomy 16 because most of the scholars acknowledge that that typically happened During this these particular feasts and it's interesting that this tithe is a little bit different.

Because it's the individual rather than okay. This is going to the Levites and they will administer it how they want is the individual. Who gets choice over how they spend this temp? So again, remember we read in Deuteronomy 14 26, you're to spend it on whatever your heart desires.

It's up to the individual to choose which of these or which of the various things they could enjoy that they wanted to. So that's tithe number two tithe number one there is this Levitical tithe or the tithe for the Levites.

Number two, there is this rejoicing tithe or the tithe of joy. And then there's a third tithe. The third tithe and this was known as the poor tithe. So go back to Deuteronomy 14 verse 28. Deuteronomy 14 28 At the end of every three years bring a tenth of your produce for that year and store it within your city gates.

Then the Levite who has no portion or inheritance among you the resident alien the fatherless and the widow within your city gates may come. Eat and be satisfied and Yahweh your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.

Again, there's a third tithe. So if you're kind of counting we're doing the numbers. There's 10 10 so that's about 20, but this tithe this third tithe that we see here is at the end of every three years.

So it's 10 split that in three over the course of three years. So that comes to about something like 23 and 1 3rd percent kind of following me on that one. Okay, so 23 and 1 3rd percent. That was how much Israel was expected to give.

Now this is where the question about tithing and the Christian gets interesting.

Because.

Are we supposed to give in line with this? There are some people who would say Somewhat inconsistently, but they would say yes. And they will often point you to one passage right at the end of the Old Testament.

That would mean to Malachi 3. I think this verse gets a bad rap because I do think it has some to teach us about arguing. But I think we need to get some work done before we can apply this passage. So Malachi chapter 3, let's pick it up in verse 7.

So Malachi 3 7 Again God is speaking if you know the flow of Malachi. It's basically a series of indictments that God gives the people respond like what are you talking about? And then God explains Why he's bringing this indictment.

So verse 7. Since the days of your ancestors you have turned from my statutes. You have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you says Yahweh of armies. Yet you ask how can we return will a man rob God?

Yet you are robbing me. God says you are robbing me and the people ask how do we rob you? Here's God's answer by not making the payments plural of the tenth and the contributions. Well, what are the tenth and the contribution?

We just read about them. So these particular tithes. We're not being paid and God says you are essentially robbing me. Verse 9 you are suffering under a curse. Yeah, you the whole nation are still robbing me.

Here's the verse that up makes everyone very uncomfortable. Verse 10. Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way says Yahweh of armies see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven.

He pour out a blessing for you without measure. Verse 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and the vine in your field. Will not fail to produce fruit says Yahweh of armies.

Verse 12 then all the nations will consider you fortunate for you will be a delightful land says Yahweh of armies.

Now.

It's like this verse and one of two things happen you get some folks who get really excited about this and some folks who really don't like this and Neither of those responses I think are helpful. First of all, if you're gonna get excited about this, please know remember I told you to file away this idea of where the tight what at least one of those tithes was supposed to go.

To the Levi knows he says verse 10 bring the full 10th into the storehouse there was a place where Tithe was supposed to go the Levites was supposed to keep that and to administer that as necessary. That was not happening.

So God says bring that full 10th. I think he's talking about the Levitical tithe here. Bring that tithe to the designated place. It's supposed to go and that's why he says test me in this way. See if I will open the floodgates of heaven.

Most scholars acknowledge that that's talking about an actual famine that it hit the land. In other words when he's talking here about opening the floodgates and poor our blessing this you say. See if I don't essentially reverse this famine as a result of your obedience.

Verse 11, I will rebuke the devourer for you. If you have a Christian standard Bible, do you know the footnote that's in there? Using that tiny print that most of us can't read but 311. It says perhaps locusts Devours a more than likely a literal plague that had come on the people if I was using the Prophet Joel in his book.

In chapters 1 2 talks about this plague of locusts that was consuming the land. Which makes sense if you know Leviticus 26 and you told me 28. That's one of the things God said would happen if his people didn't obey him so far from this passage being a threat to make people give or More positively a promise that if you give God will bless you now.

I did say last week in the sermon that I do believe that that happens. I just don't think this is the passage you go to to make that point. Because I would argue this passage is talking about something very specific.

So we've kind of asked the question. What is the tithe? We looked at the tithe before the law the tithe under the law. Let's get to the question that probably most concerns most of us. Our new covenant Christians expected to tithe.

New Covenant Christians and the Tithe

Okay, okay.

Sure.

Mm-hmm, so. The tabernacle itself gets set up in a few places first at Shiloh that kind of becomes the unofficial place. Eventually Pre the temple's construction. It's moved to Jerusalem. So if you remember in 1st Samuel Shiloh is where Eli Relives.

Samuel essentially set up there though Rama's his hometown. So Shiloh is the original place. It then becomes Jerusalem. It's interesting in the exile. I think it's reading as a time, but Nehemiah 10, I believe it says that this when they start recollecting this tithe it gets stored up in synagogues.

So it kind of shifts over time. Shiloh is the original place then it becomes Jerusalem then it become the tabernacle in Jerusalem. Then it becomes the temple in Jerusalem. I Would argue that here Malachi 3 it's the temple in Jerusalem that's in view because they're back in the land.

Later on it will kind of shift again after the destruction of the temple. But sure. Answer it kind of moves a number of places across the Old Testament depending on where Israel is in its history.

Yes, yes.

No, I'm right. New Covenant Christians, are they expected to tithe? First of all, let's just clarify what I mean when I use that phrase. New Covenant Christian. As Christians the Bible teaches us that we are partakers of a new covenant.

That's Jeremiah chapter 31 in Hebrews chapter 8 more time. I'd read them, but I do want to keep moving. With that new covenant comes a change in the Lord. The Bible tells us Hebrews chapter 7 verse 12 where there is a change in priesthood.

There is a change in law. So then Old Testament doesn't mean the Old Testament invalidated or has nothing to teach us. It has plenty to teach us. The question is when it comes to the subject of the tithe.

Where does that fit in? Well, I have a few thoughts on this. There are some who would argue obvious. I used to argue this that since we're in the new covenant the Tithe entirely is just dead does not apply to you at all.

I've come to say That might be a simplistic way of looking at this because I think there are a few considerations That might make us maybe not go all the way to saying Okay, we practice a tithe one-to-one like believers under the Old Covenant did.

But should we get rid of the tithe entirely? Like I said, I'm not entirely convinced. Allow me to give you a few reasons why New Covenant Christians are expected to tithe. First of all, The principle of supporting the Lord's work is assumed in the New Testament.

So one of these tithes at least was given to the Levites to support the Lord's work. That principle is never gotten rid of in the New Testament. In fact, it is assumed in the New Testament. So again some passages.

Galatians 6 6. This last week, but just by way of review Galatians chapter 6 and verse 6. Galatians 6 6 says let the one who was taught the word share all his good things with the teacher the one who teaches.

And I take the view. Most commentators that when it says good things are to be shared with the teacher the good things refer to material things. 1 Corinthians 9. 1st Corinthians chapter 9. 1st Corinthians chapter 9 verse 13.

And interestingly. Note the basis for Paul's argument here. 1st Corinthians 9 13. Don't you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple and that those who serve at the altar Serve the offering serve share excuse me in the offerings of the altar in the same way The Lord has commanded that those who preach should earn their living by the gospel.

Notice Paul's argument here. Paul argues based on The Levites they were the ones who worked the temple. He says that those who basically did the work of the Lord were supported Materially by that very work and Paul says in the same way The Bible marking time you want when a circle underline wherever is you to emphasize that line there.

In the same way the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel. God's design is That those who minister vocationally in the preaching and teaching of the word Ought to be supported in that work.

There may be reasons why they need to be to use the modern term by vocational. But that I would argue is not God's norm. That's a that is an exception to the rule is an exception caused by necessity. It's not a demand and I say that because there are believers in the 21st century who have become Quite vocal about the fact that he well every pastor should be by vocational and I want to say Not according to this.

You might need to be in fact, it's interesting Paul says that first 415 actually says for my part I have used none of these rights nor have I written that these things make me up that. Nor have I written that they may be applied in my case but it would be better for me to than for anyone to deprive me of my boast if the sake of the gospel a pastor says or a Minister of the word says okay.

I am going to willfully kind of skip that Paul says I've applied that to me. But the same Paul says that the norm is those who minister the word are to be supported in their ministry so the principle of Supporting the Lord's work is assumed in the New Testament and in the case of first Corinthians 9 Paul takes the principle we just read about with the Levites being supported in their work and applies it to Those called to vocational ministry in the New Testament so the principle of supporting the Lord's work is assumed in the New Testament.

A Second thing is the principle of giving in proportion is stated in the New Testament. So again, the tenth is a proportion is not God doesn't just say give me everything. No. But every hundred if you will you give me ten for every ten you give me one.

That's a proportion. This give principle of giving in proportion is stated in the New Testament. We're gonna see this again when we get to principles of giving in a moment but tons of 2nd Corinthians 9 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 2nd Corinthians and chapter 9.

I have the right reference in my notes here. Am I should be 1st Corinthians 16. Let's turn there for a moment. First Corinthians chapter 16. Okay, so I think it's 16 to you on the first day of the week each of you to set something aside and save in.

Keeping with how he is prospering so that no collections will need to be made when I come. There we go. That's reference. I was looking for.

That there is.

Supposed to be this proportional principle in relation to how we give so out of what the Lord has given us We give a certain amount. We saw that in the old that under the Old Covenant the Principle of giving is it's a tenth based on what God has given.

So again, the principle of giving in proportion is restated in the New Testament so follow the logic the support of gospel work and Gospel workers financially that's taken from the Old Testament principle.

So that's assumed and then the idea of giving in proportion is Assumed and stated in the New Testament. This is a point that the third point is a point I think that often gets missed which is that the practice of a tithe is never repealed in the New Testament.

I.

Said I had to change my view on this because I have been taught the people who trained me who. By the way, Christians can disagree on this and be fine. This is not a matter of heresy or matter of false teaching.

It's looking at biblical data and coming to conclusions. But one of the things I was taught is what you never see a tithe mentioned in the New Testament. Well, here's the thing well, yes, I mean let's just again you should be.

I always talk about intellectual honesty when you study yes. The tithe is not explicitly Mentioned in the New Testament. In fact, the one reference to tithing in the New Testament is actually a negative turn to Matthew 23.

Matthew 23 Jesus is issuing this Scathing denunciation of the Pharisees. Pick up with me in verse 23. As well to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites. You pay a tenth of mint dill and cumin and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law.

Justice mercy and faithfulness these things interesting know what Jesus says. These things you should have done without neglecting the others. So Jesus mentions the tithe and rebukes the Pharisees because you're really meticulous about paying tithes, but Justice not so much mercy not so much and being faithful not so much.

But notice Jesus doesn't say therefore stop tithing. He says these things you should have done your tithing. Without neglecting the others don't keep these really small parts of the law without these more weightier parts of the law.

That's the only reference tithing in the New Testament. Apart from that the tithe is never repealed in the New Testament. There are lots of laws that are explicitly repealed in the New Testament so when we came to church this morning, we didn't set up a barbecue in the Parking lot and offer bulls and goats this morning.

Well, why didn't we do that because I mean God gave that law. He said morning and evening People of God are to offer sacrifices to him. Well, that law has been repealed. It no longer applies why. Because Christ has come.

Christ has come. He's the ones for sacrifice for sin. And since he's the ones for all sacrifice for sin. We don't offer sacrifice anymore. But here's the thing when the Bible gets rid of something. It's very explicit.

It's getting rid of it. The tithe is never gotten rid of. When you put all these three things together the the principle of the Lord's work or supporting the Lord's work is assumed in the New Testament that the Principle of giving in proportion is stated in the New Testament and that the tithe is never repealed in the New Testament.

What do we do with this?

Well, let me put it in one sentence. This is my conclusion as I've studied this the Christian is not under the tithe as a law. Why. Because we are no longer under the Old Covenant and the law that came with it.

But.

The tithe provides a wisdom principle for how we should give. I believe it was a Chuck Swindoll Who just actually announced his retirement recently?

Uh.

Chuck Swindoll said years ago. I heard him on the radio. I was a new Christian at the time. I was like 14 15. So remember him saying that he said 10 Shouldn't be your ceiling. 10 should be your floor.

Around the time thinking I grew up in a tradition where they really emphasized 10 Like in fact, you remember every time it came up in Sunday school class. The debate would be should I give a tithe on my net or a tithe on my gross?

I don't even know what that meant as a kid. I Let it worked out. Okay. One is pre-tax. One is post-tax. But that was the big debate like people are very hung up on this 10. So to hear him say actually no 10 is not the ceiling.

I often kind of heard it as that was the ceiling and if really if you gave more is because you want God to do Something for you. That's very problematic. But temp is it oh, I think he's round something that 10 is your baseline.

Where do I get that from? Well, I want to consider. Let me say this once again. The Christian is not under the tide as a law. So Malachi 3 does not apply to Christians in the same way. But the tithe provides a wisdom principle for how we should give.

But is it the only principle for how we should give. I'm gonna say no actually there are plenty of principles we want to consider.

So real quickly.

Run through. I might not get through all of these but you have them in the study guide. So I encourage you to read them and look up those passages in your own time. I Want to look through some principles of grace giving from the Word of God?

So we've Kind of answer the question should the Christian tithe? I'm gonna say my conviction from scriptures. I've re-examined this in the last year and some change. The Christian is not under the tide as a law.

Nevertheless, I think 10 should be the Christian starting point. Now if the Lord is usually we're gonna see this moment if the Lord prospers you and you can give more than that great. I've heard of some folks.

I've met one maybe but I've heard of plenty of folks who do something called reverse tithing. Where they give 90 in whole 10 more power to him, I don't know if I could do that. Mm-hmm. Oh interesting.

Wow. So again more power to him if you can do that great. Let's think about some principles of grace giving first off. These are not original to me. I'm in the interest of plagiarizing anyone if you want to know why I got this from excellent book that I've recently just come across.

It's by a Lutheran author actually. Excellent books called giving to God the Bible's good news about living a generous life. The author is Mark Allen Powell. Giving to God the Bible's good news about living a generous life.

I won't say it's Replaced money possessions and eternity by Randy Alcorn for me, but this is a good number two, actually. It's a very Down-to-earth and very biblically saturated take on the subject of our giving so again Giving to God the Bible's good news about living a generous life in that book I believe is chapter 4 chapter 5.

He gives some principles for giving that as I read those a I can't improve on me. So I'm just going to give them to you. That's why you have them in the study guide. And we're gonna march to as many of these as we can in 15 minutes.

Giving Is Both a Duty and a Delight

So number one. Giving is both a duty and a delight. Something we ought to do and something we are pleased to do. We want to start with the heart. So let's ask the question. How should in our hearts? How should we view the subject of giving.

Giving is both a duty and a delight something? We ought to do and something we are pleased to do. Let's look at that passage there. Romans chapter 15. Romans chapter 15 interesting. Paul's talking about the same collection that he will deal with the Corinthians in in just a moment.

Romans chapter 15 verse 25. Paul says right now. I'm traveling to Jerusalem to serve the Saints because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Saints in Jerusalem.

Interesting this principle of giving to the poor which we saw in the Old Testament is Assumed in the new verse 27. Yes. They were pleased and indeed are indebted to them. So you see side-by-side. They are pleased.

There's a delight aspect to this. They're doing this from their hearts, but there's also a duty. They were indebted to them. Well, if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs.

So for the Christian giving is both a duty and a delight. It's good to hold those two in balance. If giving just becomes a duty. Then the heart is no longer engaged in that if it just becomes a delight.

Well, what happens when it doesn't feel like a delight you don't do it. Both of those need to be true. They're giving is both a duty and a delight together something that we ought to do and Something that we are pleased to do is for number two.

Giving Is to Be Regular and Systematic According to a Plan

Giving is to be regular and systematic according to a plan. So I'll read it again, but one Corinthians 16 to Paul says. Interestingly, he's all about this same collection for the Christians in Jerusalem.

And he says when you plan to give he says basically set it up so that on the first day of the week typically why Christians have collected giving. Of Sunday worship whether it's during the service or just having a means to collect that offering.

I'm picking up on this principle who says Let's read it again. You can never read too much Bible. 1st Corinthians 16 to Paul says on the first day of the week each of you is to set something aside and Save in keeping with how he is prospering so that no collections will need to be made when I come.

There's set something aside. That's the systematic part. There's a plan. And it says on the first day of the week. So this is a regular thing. Christians should not give haphazardly. Shouldn't be okay in the car.

Oh shoot. I've not thought about my giving. Okay. What do I have on me? Let me do that. Like no, there should be some intentionality to our giving as Christians. Giving is to be regular and systematic.