Giving: Then and Now

Giving was important to God in Old Testament days, and it still is important to Him today.  It is a part of obeying God that is often overlooked or purposely avoided.

The God that created the universe, and all it encompasses, does not need something that He already owns and has created.  The point of giving in the name of the Lord or to His cause is for man to show God He is important to him; that he will constantly remember God’s provision, and will give back to Him a portion of what He allowed him to have.  Tithing and giving are sacrificing what is needed to live and giving it back to the God who allowed one to have it.  Giving to God was and should always be a step of faith by the giver.

Tithing was first mentioned in Genesis 14.  Tithing is giving back to God at least 10% (Lev. 27:32) of what God allows one to earn. Tithing was in practice before the Old Testament law stated God’s guidelines for giving.
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”  Genesis 14:18-20   Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek.  Abraham’s support allowed the man of God to continue his work.

Tithes and giving were a part of worshipping God even from the beginning.
“And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Gen.  28:20-22

Tithing taught the people (Israel) to fear (respect) the Lord.
“And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.” Deut. 14:23

God gave many laws to His people in the Old Testament.  Some of the Law included commandments about giving. The law instructed who should give, when they should give, what they should give, and how it should be given. God instructed His people to tithe:
Part of their crops: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.” Lev. 27:30 
“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.” Deut. 14:22  Tithing crops was God’s plan that a farmer would have successful crops!
“And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.” II Chron. 31:5
A portion of the flocks and herds:
“And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.” II Chron. 31:6   Also: Lev. 27:32.
“And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,” Num. 6:14

The people gave more than just their tithe.  Peace, burnt offerings, free-will offerings, and first fruits (a part of the first picking of the harvest) were also given. All this extra giving shows that it is the heart that should desire to honor God, and willingness to trust God’s provision on what remains after giving.
“And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:” Deut. 12:6
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:” Lev. 23:10    Also: Ex. 23:16, Ex. 34:22..
 “Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:” Deut. 12:11 
“And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.” Ex. 36:3.   Also: Lev. 22:18.

Even the men of God, priests, and ministers tithed in the Old Testament.
“Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.” Num. 18:26

Tithing was important when the people wanted to restore their walk with the Lord.  Worship and obedience to God had been put aside by the people of Israel in the time of Nehemiah.  After rebuilding the place of worship, Jerusalem, it is important to note that Nehemiah also got the people to start tithing again.
“Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.”
Neh.  13:12 
 “And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.” Neh. 10:38    Also: Lev. 10:37, 13:5.

Giving taught the people of Old Testament days a principle that would be most important in New Testament and current days.  Giving pictured that the prophesied Saviour would be the first and only sacrifice God would permanently accept.  After Christ’s death, no more sacrifices would be needed as what Christ gave was enough to cover all our sins. 
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” I Cor. 15:20
“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
I Cor. 15:23

The tithes were used to fund the work of God, and those that did His work.
“But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.” Num. 18:24
“Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.” Num. 18:26

Not tithing is referred to as stealing from God!  When a person does not tithe, they are stealing from the one who allowed them to earn or get anything.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Mal. 3:8

One of the most common excuses for not tithing is that “It is for the Old Testament, and not for today.” Since God never changes (Ps. 15:4, James 1:17), that idea is false.  What God disliked or hated in earlier Old Testament times, it is most probable that He still dislikes it today.  We should do all in our power to do what pleases Him and not to do things, that are even questionable, that He dislikes.

People were still tithing during Jesus’ day.  Although He rebuked people for not tithing properly and having the wrong attitude in their giving, not once did Christ tell the people to stop tithing.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Mt 23:23  
 “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42
“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke 18:12

Jesus encouraged giving.  He knew Earth was a temporary location for all.  Jesus advised all to serve God here, and one’s service to the Lord here would be accredited to their heavenly account.  His advice in giving was certainly more than 10%.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Mat. 19:21   That kind of giving would result in living by faith that pleases God.   Also: Mark 10:21, Luke 12:33, Luke 18:22.
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Mat. 6:20
 “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:30 
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” Luke 19:8 Repentance, giving, and living by faith were some of the first spiritual goals on Zacchaeus’ mind after he was saved.

Jesus knew about an individual’s giving.
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:41

Give God what’s right, not what’s left!

The early church obeyed Jesus and certainly gave more than 10%. Their generous giving allowed them to live by faith.  It took faith to have one’s needs met with what seemed materially less.  A little is much when God is in it.
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44
“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34   Also: I Tim. 6:18.

Early New Testament era preachers encouraged converts to live by faith.  Giving freely was one of the first steps of faith.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” II Cor. 9:6-7
“And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” James 2:16

The New Testament demands we live by faith.  Tithing and sacrificial giving are living examples of living by faith.  It is trusting that God will provide.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6    Interestingly, all but two of the 234 verses in the Bible using “faith” are found in the New Testament.  This fact makes it clear the emphasis on New Testament living is by faith, where as in the Old Testament it was on sight (seeing and hearing proofs of God direction) as well as faith.

There are no New Testament verses saying to stop tithing.  There are, however, many verses about giving in the New Testament. There is also much Scripture in the New Testament about living by faith and giving.  Tithing is certainly living by faith. Take a step of faith and give!

Tithing was the means of supporting God’s men throughout the New Testament.  Since the ministers of God still need to be supported, and God’s Word does not reveal any other means to pay for the ministry, tithing should still be performed to this day.
“If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” I Cor. 9:12-14
“I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.  9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.” II Cor. 11:8   Also: II Cor. 11:9
“Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Phil. 4:15-17

God’s people historically have always been the means to support God’s work.  This pattern is seen in both Old Testament and New Testament times.

Giving was the means the early churches received money to support missionaries and to be a help to others.  That principle will work today also.  Many get upset when they are asked to give, but they do not complain about the soft pews they are sitting on, the AC, or having a pastor available whenever they need him.  How could we have all the comforts and helps to the ministry if they are not paid for?  Many foolishly think the pastor should minister for nothing. For those that have that kind of mentality, I would like to ask them how long they went without a paycheck.

The Bible teaches otherwise.  A workman, and most pastors are hard workers, are worthy of their pay. Actually, the man of God called to a local church should be honored with a higher salary.  Where is he going to get that kind of money, if the people do not give sacrificially?
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” I Tim. 5:17

People who really love God and are living for Him have no problem doing what the Bible says. Generosity and sacrificing are all throughout the Bible.  While reading its pages a believer quickly can see that God wants him to give, and he should want to do so.  Those that have spent any time to see if they can get out of paying sacrificially usually are indicating that money and things are more important to them than pleasing God and living by faith!

Much of what is in the Old Testament is still relevant in these church ages, unless it is specifically stated in the New Testament that it does not pertain to us now (as, animal sacrifices, worship on Saturday …).
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Mal. 3:6

Money is often a “master” the flesh wants to meet its needs.  All people are tempted to serve the flesh, and do what it wants. Those that refuse to give often do not live by faith and will not trust God to meet their needs.

I figured out a long time ago why many get upset when a preacher encourages sacrificial giving.  For many, money has become their god, and they do not want to give up their worship of it.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mat. 6:24
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13

Money is often where many’ s heart is, and it can have more pull on one’s life than do the things of God. Many do not give because their spiritual heart has wrong priorities!
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Mat. 6:20-21

Giving is a blessing that many miss when they refuse to give.
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Many that do not give for the right reasons miss a blessing from the Lord.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” II Cor. 9:6-7

Give to help widows.
“If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” I Tim. 5:16

The early church gathered the offerings on Sunday! They also gave them to their local church!
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” I Cor. 16:1    
As early as the Old Testament, the offerings were given to those that were in the service of the Lord. They were taken to the local tabernacle, temple, and today should be taken to the local church.

Many feel that if they give to the church, that the finances may be mishandled.  That may be unfortunately true, but we are to give it to the Lord. If someone mismanages the money, then their sin is between them and God.  If one cannot trust the church to handle their money correctly, then perhaps it is time to find a church that is honorable in that area.
“And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.” Neh. 10:38
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:10
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:” Heb. 7:5

Giving has always been essential in worshipping God. It is a way we show God that He is important in our lives, and that we will trust Him to provide with what remains after our giving.  It is an outward showing of faith.

Unfortunately, too many miss seeing the importance of giving.  By not at least tithing, and we should all give more than that,  many are not only robbing what is due God, but they will miss God’s blessing in their lives.  So many struggle financially in this life, often because they will not take a step of faith, trust God, and give to Him.

Many times when financial hardships lurked in my future, I have found that increased giving brought God’s blessings in my life.  I did not give to get, but He always took care of my needs when I trusted in His provision.  To this day, 35 years later, I have never been late on one bill and have always had my needs met!  If He can do it for the  early church members, and others Christians, He can certainly provide for me and you!

There have been times when we participated in our local church’s “Give It All Sunday”, where many gave their entire paycheck to the work of the Lord — talk about an exciting step of faith!   God’s intervention allowed me to have the finances I needed to live, even though it seemed impossible that I would have what was needed to pay my bills.  God is so good!

There were times I was called “foolish” because the first thing I did every week was pay at least 10% of the gross of my earnings.  They called me foolish because my salary was low, and I was barely, in their eyes, making ends meet.  God has always been faithful.  I have always had enough!

I have heard repeatedly of those that try to squirm out of getting God’s blessing on their life.  They have claimed that tithing is not for this church age and give very little, if anything.  It is often from those same people that I hear how they struggle financially and cannot make ends meet with far more than I have ever had.

Tithing and giving have always been encouraged in the Word of God.  Take God at His Word.  Step out by faith, and give and give and give.  A 10% tithe should be the minimal amount that one gives to the work of God.  No one can outgive God!

Give back to God part of what He allowed you to have!