PAYING TITHES

PAYING TITHES

You talk with a lot of Christians today about biblical giving and most people today in Christian circles will say some form of the tithe is still required. Aside from Jesus teaching the Jews who were still under the law, find that for me in the New Testament. You won’t. There are probably about 3 rules of New Testament giving. Number 1 - it is regular - on the first day of every week. That’s how often people went to church then - at minimum. If you’re paid at the end of the week, the first thing you do is set aside money that you’re going to give for the service and honor of God. You don’t say "I want to pay for the new car and I want to pay for the new recreational vehicle and I want to pay for this and I want to pay for that, I don’t have much left for church, so I just won’t give much this month." No, that priority is all upside down. The first thing in your budget, not the last thing is what you give to the service of God and for kingdom use. So, it’s regular and is joyful. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. From Paul’s writings to the Corinthian church - I love it - look up that word in New Testament Greek - hilarion SGreek: 2431. hilaros - you got it. The Lord loves a hilarious giver. Let the deacons get up and say "we’re a little short on money folks, we need to stop and think about what we are giving. We have some needs that are not being met" and see how many people respond with hilarity. But that’s a New Testament model! And, finally - it is to be sacrificial. If you give out of convenience and just enough to keep your giving painless, you’re not giving according to New Testament direction. Until you give until it hurts, you’re not giving biblically. Well, preacher you’ve started meddling. Well, I won’t meddle, I’ll let Paul meddle for me and with me - it’s biblical!

Elder Joe Holder See WebbSr: PAYING TITHES