TITHING 4: A CHEERFUL GIVER
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Tithing
a) Are Christians required to tithe or are we under a new covenant? Does the Bible teach 10% in giving or just give what we can? What does the Bible teach about how much a Christian should give?
2. A Cheerful Giver
a) God cares less about how much you give as He does about your attitude of giving. Let your conscience guide your giving, or as Paul says, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
b) Paul wrote, “But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced” (Philippians 1:14). This does not mean that it’ll make you happier just to give tiny amounts. Paul thought of that as he wrote, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
c) Jesus wanted us to be generous givers because the giver is more blessed than the one who receives it. In Luke 6:38 Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This is a superb analogy. If you took some wheat and put it into a container you could shake it and remove some of the air and space and yet more would go in. Jesus is saying by the same measure that you give, you will be measured back the same but it will be poured into your lap, meaning that it will overflow or be more than you have given. This is not a wealth or prosperity message but a sure promise of God. He may not return financial gains for your offerings, but He might give you good health, a nice home, an unexpected gift or whatever. You can never out give God.
d) A saying in the Proverbs also speaks about pouring something back into your laps for those who give. God says, “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps” (Isaiah 65:6). The Proverbs also say, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done” (Proverbs 19:17).
e) Don’t be a hearer of God’s word only but be a doer (James 1:22). Consider supporting by sponsoring a child in need.
The End ...
1. Tithing a) Are Christians required to tithe or are we under a new covenant? Does the Bible teach 10% in giving or just give what we can? What does the Bible teach about how much a Christian should give?
2. A Cheerful Giver
a) God cares less about how much you give as He does about your attitude of giving. Let your conscience guide your giving, or as Paul says, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
b) Paul wrote, “But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced” (Philippians 1:14). This does not mean that it’ll make you happier just to give tiny amounts. Paul thought of that as he wrote, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
c) Jesus wanted us to be generous givers because the giver is more blessed than the one who receives it. In Luke 6:38 Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This is a superb analogy. If you took some wheat and put it into a container you could shake it and remove some of the air and space and yet more would go in. Jesus is saying by the same measure that you give, you will be measured back the same but it will be poured into your lap, meaning that it will overflow or be more than you have given. This is not a wealth or prosperity message but a sure promise of God. He may not return financial gains for your offerings, but He might give you good health, a nice home, an unexpected gift or whatever. You can never out give God.
d) A saying in the Proverbs also speaks about pouring something back into your laps for those who give. God says, “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps” (Isaiah 65:6). The Proverbs also say, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done” (Proverbs 19:17).
e) Don’t be a hearer of God’s word only but be a doer (James 1:22). Consider supporting by sponsoring a child in need.
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