NEW COVENANT GIVING

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Tithing – 10 % or 100%?

a) Tithing is also a problem for many, simply because they serve the letter and not the Spirit. But on the basis of the above explanation, we also understand this matter of tithing. In the Old Covenant, which was only a shadow of good things to come, they were to give 10 percent to the Lord, and so they could use the other 90 percent according to their own understanding. Was this how Jesus did it? Did He abolish the tithe? No, He came with that which is perfect; He gave Himself 100 percent to the Father. Therefore, He could come with this message that no one can be His disciple unless he forsakes everything! (Luke 14:33)

b) When did the apostles say anything about tithing? They said, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7. Yes, you say, but this concerns voluntary gifts, which are over and beyond the tithe. When you speak like that you certainly reveal that you are under great bondage. Tithing is not voluntary; it is more or less required of the members. By limiting themselves to paying a tithe, they have not entered into the spirit of the commandment.

2. New Covenant giving

a) It says about Jesus that He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and did not consider it robbery to be equal with God. (Philippians 2:5-8) It was of His own free will that our Lord Jesus Christ became poor for our sake though He was rich, so that we through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9) If we are to be members of the body of Christ, we must come into the perfect law of liberty. According to this law tithing and a few voluntary gifts are inadequate; we must give ourselves first to the Lord and to the church according to God’s will. Once we have given ourselves, we have also given everything we have.

b) Perfection comes through the Spirit of Christ. It is better to have fellowship with one person who, by the Spirit of Christ is a member of the body of Christ, than with a hundred thousand who slave away according to the oldness of the letter. It is better to receive one cent that is given heartily than 100,000 dollars that are given merely out of a sense of duty or for the sake of appearance. (Mark 12:41-44)

c) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest. (Hebrews 4:11-13)