An Outward Obediance To God

I read an article the other day where the author thought it was interesting to view non-christians giving substantial amounts of money to a church, and how only a small amount of professing christians even believe the biblical mandate on tithing is one to be obeyed.

He went on to make a point that some people are using the excuse of tithing being an Old Testament law, as a means not to tithe. That since tithing is an Old Testament pratice...tithing in the New Testament is no longer required of New Testament Christians.

This Gets Interesting

But this is where tithing in the New Testament gets even more interesting. When Christ was here, he pointed out that the writings in the Old Testament were given to us, so that we could perfect our outward obediance to God.

And the writings in the New Testament were given to us, so we could learn to focus on the attitude of the heart.

For example, adultery in the Old Testament is considered a sin, but in the New Testament, just looking at someone with lust in your heart, is the same as committing adultery (Matthew 5:19-28).

So, in reality, like other laws in the Old Testament, tithing in the New Testament was not omitted, but expanded so that our heart attitudes could be examined along with our outward obediance to God.

A Cheerful Giver

The whole princple of tithing in the New Testament can be read in II Corinthians 9:7. It says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart; so let him give, not grudingly or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

People in the Old Testament were required to give ten percent of everything, but in the New Testament, God wants you to give from the heart cheerfully.

So, there you have it. The final decision is still yours to make about tithing in the New Testament. Just remember what I've said before. God doesn't want or need your money. It already belongs to him. Everything belongs to him!

There Should Be No Debates About Tithing

He wants your heart...willinglly and joyfully, giving back to him what he has given to you. Tithing in the New Testament is one way of giving and showing your love and gratitude.

Tithing in the New Testament is like a father buying a toy for his child. He gives the child the toy, then he reaches for the toy...just to see if the child will share it with him. Not because the father wants the toy...because after all, he bought it and in reality, it's already his. He doesn't really need or want the toy back, he just wants to see how willing and cheerful his child will be in sharing his toy. Or will the child be selfish and not want to share at all.

After all, in the child's mine, this toy is his, not his father's and he may feel he doesn't have to give it back. It's his and he can do what he wants with his toy. So there you have it...a pretty good analogy for tithing in the New Testament, don't you think?

It probably sounds familiar too. Too familiar. And I'm sure a lot of people can identify with that child, but tithing is real for me. Make your decision today.

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