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Understanding Giving
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How To Give
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What is Tithing and Offerings?
We all live in total dependence on God. As Christians, we have come to recognize this truth and seek to give him honor and glory for who He is. We all spend a good portion of our thoughts on financial concerns and responsibilities. In the area of tithing, we seek to respond to these concerns by saying to God, “I trust you for all my provisions...You promised to take care of me if I would just have faith in you...Giving is evidence of my trust in you.”
Giving is a major part of worshipping God in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the tithe (or 10%) was the basic amount that was set aside as God’s. Leviticus 27:30 says, “a tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Offerings were brought as worship to God above and beyond the basic requirement of the tithe.
In the New Testament, Jesus assumed that people would tithe (Matthew 23:23). Even though we are free from specific requirements of the Old Testament Law, the basic concepts all appear in the New Testament. Further, tithing started before the Law, as Abraham tithed to Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Giving continues to be a focal point of the Christian experience and is echoed throughout the New Testament. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 tells us “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
God is still looking for people to demonstrate their love for him and faith in him by giving of their resources. We give our time, energy, and money in our local church home to further God’s kingdom as obedience and worship because of our thankfulness for who He is and what He has done.
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