Giving, Tithing, and Generosity

I want to continue talking about one of the most invasive topics a preacher can talk about—and that’s money.

We are in a series called Pastor’s Mailbag, where I am addressing frequently brought up issues that people bring up to me over the years.

Some are more recent—like AI—artificial intelligence.

and the issue of money has been around for centuries.

Last week, we looked at the issue of money from the heart—talking about how money can be an idol and we can crave things like security, status, fun, and control from it.

this week, I want to talk about giving or tithing.

and I know...I mentioned last week...I know..

that churches and pastors get a bad rap for addressing this. If you are a nonbeliever or skeptic or jaded by the church, you can think “Churches only care about our money.”

I also know #2 that talking about giving or tithing can be a little weird for me because my income is tied to giving, so if I say “give more to the church” you might accuse me of being personally motivated. “of course you want people to give so that the church has more money...and Rick you can buy a Lamborghini”

I get it—

However, I have to talk about money to be faithful to God.

last week we said Jesus talked about money almost more than any other topic. there are at least 2,000 verses that discuss money in Scripture, so I have to talk about it.

and money is a heart issue. it’s a worship issue. Jesus said you cannot serve or worship both God and money. so if we are going to be fully devoted followers of Jesus, we have to learn how to say “yes” to Jesus with our money.

in fact, generosity is one of the hallmarks of being a Christian. We should be known for our generous outpouring of money, time, energy, relationships, compassion—because Jesus was and is and will be for us.

so you should be known by this:

so let’s look at some FAQ’s, some FAQ’s on giving or tithing:

What does the Old Testament say about giving or tithing?

great question.

The idea of tithe - means 10%.

and that concept actually first shows up when Abraham gives 10% of from his war bounty to a priest-king named Melchizedek. (Genesis 14)

but most of all, it shows up it in the OT Law that God gave Moses to the Israelites. we believe the Israelites were required to give 3 tithes

Tithe 1: The Levitical Tithe (Numbers 18:20-24) the Israelites gave 10% to support the Levites who ministered at the temple as temple servants, musicians, and upkeep. the Levites could not own land like the other tribes, so this was their inheritance.

Tithe 2: The Festival Tithe (Deut. 12:17-19, 14:22-27) this 10% tithe was to be used at the Feast of Tabernacles—which celebrated God providing for the Israelites in the wilderness. and each Israelite would use their tithe to buy food to consume in God’s presence at the festival or to present a 10% tithe thru their animals or grain or crop to eat. It’s interesting that God would have the Israelites give so they could celebrate one big party festival to him.

Tithe 3: The Charity Tithe (Deut. 14:28-29)

Deuteronomy 14:28–29 NIV

28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

so we see at least 3 tithes, and according to Biblical Scholar Craig Blomberg—that if you add these 3 tithes together—then most Israelites were required to give no just 10%—but almost 23%. why?

because every year they gave tithe 1 - the Levitical Tithe - and Tithe 2 - the festival tithe, and then every 3rd year, the charity tithe. (now this is a little debated if they actually did this or if it was calculated this way)—but we see here that God cared tremendously that his people were generous—for the Levites, for festivals of worship, and for those in need.

True followers gave generously.

in addition, they often what is called the firstfruits of things like their wine (Lev. 19:23-25), crops (Exodus 23:16, and livestock (Exodus 34:19).

the first and best (that was an act of faith)

so summary (on screen)

OT believers gave at least 10% (maybe more!) and from the firstfruits of their stuff.

2.Are we still required to tithe in the NT?

great question—a little debated.

pause—let’s back up—-and zoom out. This is getting at the heart of how do we understand the Old Testament in light of the New. How does the old testament or covenant relate to the new covenant.

Many of us understand that we don’t follow all the practices that the Israelites did in the OT law under Moses. We don’t offer animal sacrifices anymore—praise God—because Jesus has come as the ultimate sacrifice. we don’t have the temple and priest structure anymore because Jesus fulfilled those the true temple and the true priest.

and so in general, I often say we are no longer under that old covenant—but the new covenant that Jesus came and gave by shedding his blood on the cross.

Jesus came and summarized the new law—love God (heart, soul, mind and strength), and love your neighbor as yourself.

so we no longer follow the Old Testament law of Moses—but in so far as those teachings express who God is and his principles for us in the New Testament or covenant we do.

so how does this affect tithing?

great question....

I would say it like this—as Christians we are not required to tithe now that we are under the New Testament or New Covenant for several reasons:

if you do think we are—are you going only on the 10% or are you calculating all three tithes in the OT?

neither Jesus or Paul commands it… Jesus mentions it in talking about the Pharisees tithing their spices—they were that religious, and in a parable. both certainly talk about giving and generosity but not tithing.

and most of all, since Jesus came and fulfilled the OT law, we are no longer that OT Mosaic law but Jesus’ law, and the new covenant.

so really you could say it like this:

In the OT, the principle of giving was tithing (10%) or maybe more

in the NT, the principle of giving is generosity (2 Cor. 8-9)

so that must mean we don’t have to tithe, right?

what do you think?

some of us grew up on tithing. My parents from an early age modeled giving 10% of your gross income to the local church, and then giving above and beyond it.

that’s what I was taught and we do this.

and I would still say as a pastor—my pastoral advice is that we should give 10%

and you say what?

but I thought you said we don’t have to give a tithe since we are under the New Covenant and Jesus came and it’s not mentioned in the New Testament.

I love how one pastor says it (Tim Keller)

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters Grace and Money

There have been times when people have come to me as their pastor, and asked about “tithing,” giving away a tenth of their annual income. They notice that in the Old Testament there are many clear commands that believers should give away 10 percent. But in the New Testament, specific, quantitative requirements for giving are less prominent. They often asked me, “You don’t think that now, in the New Testament, believers are absolutely required to give away ten percent, do you?” I shake my head no, and they give a sigh of relief. But then I quickly add, “I’ll tell you why you don’t see the tithing requirement laid out clearly in the New Testament. Think. Have we received more of God’s revelation, truth, and grace than the Old Testament believers, or less?” Usually there is uncomfortable silence. “Are we more ‘debtors to grace’ than they were, or less? Did Jesus ‘tithe’ his life and blood to save us or did he give it all?” Tithing is a

Jesus in his sermon on the mount raised the bar or standard in things like what murder really is (anger) or adultery (lust). we believe the same is true of giving.

in other words—Randy Alcorn calls tithing “the training wheels of giving.”

giving the first, the first 10% of our giving to the LORD, should be a goal we all start to do, and at least a MINIMUM standard.

on screen - Tithing (10%) is more of a minimum than an end goal.

i actually believe based on this logic, that even though we are not required to give a tithe, and the NT principle is generosity, all Christians should at least tithe 10% of their income.

I think tithing though not required is still a good principle for followers of Jesus under the New Covenant to follow.

3. Should I give my money first to the local church (before other causes as a Christian?)

this is based on what some Christians call storehouse tithing.

and it’s also based on the fact that there are many good things to give towards—not just the local church, but missionaries, causes, projects. Barna notes that younger generations love to give towards a cause or project more than an ongoing budget or need.

In Malachi chapter 3, God confronts the Israelites.

Malachi 3:8–10 NIV

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

so some reason that based on this passage in Malachi 3 that the storehouse—was their temple—and so we should practice storehouse tithing today. because it went first there.

and this means that we as Christians should first give 10% to our local church first, and then anything above and beyond can then go to missionaries, parachurch ministries like Youth for Christ, non-profit ministries, etc.

that’s a great question. That’s I learned growing up. if you practice that, I think that’s fine and great. that’s currently what Jamie and I do.

However, if we are no longer under the Old Covenant but the New now that Jesus is came...I think we could challenge this line of reasoning to some degree.

because in the OT—there was a central temple for the storehouse—the Jewish temple—but in the NT as churches are started—they are houses. no longer was their one central storehouse. so did the early Christians bring their money only to the early church? some say yes and some say honestly we don’t know.

here is what one verse in the NT says—

1 Corinthians 16:2 NIV

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Paul was collecting that money for a special offering.

however, nothing in the NT equates the storehouse with the local church today.

so it’s had to argue from Malachi 3 that we should give to the church first.

instead, I think we can argue this from a better place...

however, I still think that the lion’s share or a good portion of your giving should be to the local church.

and you say why?

because in the NT, God has a huge plan for the church.

Matthew 16:18 NIV

18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Ephesians 3:10 NIV

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

Jesus is described as the head of the church....

God has a huge plan to use the church to glorify Himself, spread the Gospel, make disciples. the Church is God’s plan A—no other organizations are said to do that but the church...so based on that argument, I think that a large portion of your giving should go to the local church. we often put down the church, and understandably so —but if the Church is God’s plan A, then it makes sense we would give a considerable portion of our giving to the local church...

when you give to the local church, not only does it support our building or staff, but it enables us to minister to your whole family, kids included.

it enables us to support almost 30 plus missionaries locally and globally

it enables us to host LifeWise, and to brag on our Church Board, we do not charge them anything

it enables us to give through a fund we call Christian Aid—if someone is in need of rent, or utilities or counseling, we use this fund to help—and we have almost a request every week to help someone in need.

giving through the local church enables us to make an impact locally and globally.

Now, if you are already giving generously to several kingdom of God causes but struggle to give to the local church, I am not going to shame you (and you should rearrange your giving)

. I think again the NT principle is generosity. but I would encourage you that if you are a part of a local church, and the NT assumes that a Christian is—you will give towards it.

so let me summarize: I (Rick) recommend that a large portion of your giving should be the local church because of its importance in the New Testament.

4. What are some general principles of giving God teaches us:

#1 God owns everything. (Psalm 24:1)

Psalm 24:1 NIV

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

#2 This means we are not owners but managers or stewards— (Luke 12:42-43)

Luke 12:42–43 NIV

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.

if you are struggling with money, fighting about money, maybe the first step is to realize—it is not mine—it is God’s.

and certainly, the goal is not to give 10% or generously and then say “Yes!” I can do whatever I want with the rest of the 90%. or I can live however I want. no, all of our resources—time, energy, attention, service, forgiveness, love and compassion are to be generous)

#3 Money can be an idol, or it can be a tool for God’s kingdom (Matt. 6:19-24)(Luke 8:1-3)

it can be destructive, making us do things we never thought. It can be consuming...or we can give generously for the kingdom of God to make a difference.

now turn to 2 Corinthians 8-9 on giving. Paul is collecting an offering from the saints at Corinth for the needy Christians back in Jerusalem who were undergoing hard times.

look what principles of giving he teaches:

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 NIV

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

#4 New Testament Giving should be:

a - generous (vs. 6 - uses the image of planting—if we sow generously, we reap generously; talks about generosity in vs. 11)

b- cheerful (vs. 7 - God loves a cheerful giver. so we can meet the minimum requirements to give, and do it begrudgingly, and God doesn’t want that. he wants us to give out of a heart thankful and aflame for God.)

c - voluntary (vs. 7 - each should decide in your heart (before God) what to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion—so you need to decide before God—talk with your spouse. and family. train your kids how to give. your kids should see you give. if you can’t start at 10%, start somewhere, and aim to increase it. I remember one young couple I was doing premarital counseling with, one of their short-term goals in giving was to give at least 10% of their income in the first year. it’s interesting, that Paul wants all of them to give no matter what their financial situation. and if you feel like “Oh I just can’t give...start at 1 %, and make it a goal to increase it.)

d - sacrificial yet trusting God

sacrifice will look different—for each household. for some 10% is easy—you should give more; for others it feels impossible start somewhere;

(vs. 8 - God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound) in chapter 8 he gives an example of the Macedonian churches who in the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

God is saying he will provide. I have seen this and noticed this. I want to be careful here—because some have experienced unhelpful and wrong prosperity gospel teaching. that if I give, God has to bless me with a better car, nicer house, more $ and an easier life.

but the NT repeatedly talks about blessing.

Acts 20:35 NIV

35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

we are more blessed if we give.

God is able to provide Paul says if we give...some of that may be financial, other ways may be things like better emotional health, better mental and spiritual health. if I give—generosity helps soften my heart so that I am not controlled by money and I am less stressed!

certainly my wife and I have seen this. We were challenged to give from the get go when we were poor married students. I remember the day when my wife and I packed up all our stuff, moved out of Berne and went to seminary north of Chicago at Trinity. we moved from here, not having jobs. and we still did our best to give a tithe—I don’t say that to brag, but it really felt sacrificial. This was 2008 when we moved, gas was like $5.00 a gallon back then. rent in the city area was high—yet God provided.

and so you need to listen to God—what is he calling you to give...how much,

giving is an act of worship because it gets at our heart. and when we give in this way to glorify God—man—it is a blessing. generosity breaks the idol of money.

#5 Giving is in response to God’s grace and the Gospel (2 Cor. 8:8-9)

Paul says this:

2 Corinthians 8:8 NIV

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

he could command them as an apostle or guilt them.

sometimes pastor do this— “oh just pray about it....” “Or you have so much”

but no he Gospels them into giving

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, owns everything. created everything. He is the rich being in the universe. and yet he became poor, but humbling himself, taking on flesh, and dying on the cross. It was such a shameful death that even the soldiers gambled for his clothes. He didn’t have that.

but because he became poor, when you I am believe in Him we become rich.

and we will be generous...to the local church, to missions, to non-profits, to God’s kingdom, even to the poor, and those in need.

Our giving will a grace—because of the grace of Jesus.

I believe if we want to be more generous—we can’t be guilted but gospeled into. graced into it.

Tim Keller in his book Generous Justice—argues that we should be generous to the poor and needy, and he quotes from an 18th century Scottish minister who was preaching on the text it is more blessed to give than to receive, and he tackles a lot of objections people have:

Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes Us Just “Pushing the Button”

Now, dear Christians, some of you pray night and day to be branches of the true Vine; you pray to be made all over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like him in giving … “Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor” … Objection 1. “My money is my own.” Answer: Christ might have said, “My blood is my own, my life is my own” … then where should we have been? Objection 2. “The poor are undeserving.” Answer: Christ might have said, “They are wicked rebels … shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to the good angels.” But no, he left the ninety-nine, and came after the lost. He gave his blood for the undeserving. Objection 3. “The poor may abuse it.” Answer: Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth. Christ knew that thousands would trample his blood under their feet; that most would despise it; that many would make it an excuse for sinning more; yet he gave his own blood. Oh, my dear Christians! If you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy and so will you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember his own word, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”