In recent time, the subject and practice of “giving” has raised so much dust to prove that “giving is a very fundamental practice to the Christian faith.”
From tithes to offerings, to firstfruits and partnerships, the Bible never leaves us in the dark concerning how to go about giving in order to honour and glorify God with our resources and as well curb excesses or abuse.
What does the Bible especially the New Testament teach concerning Tithes, Offerings, Partnership etc? Is it still right to practice these things as believers in Christ?
In a bid to fight against manipulations on pulpits, most people have come out to say it is not right to practice one type of giving or the other in the New Testament. While it is true that the New Testament is not loud or is completely silent on different kinds of giving like Tithes, Firstfruits, etc, it is also true that there is no where the New Testament or the whole Bible expressly spoke against them.
What the authors of the New Testament actually took time to address in the epistles, is the motives behind everything we do today as believers - including giving.
“.…..whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31b
If you give whether Tithes, Offerings, Firstfruits, Seeds or even Partnerships because a preacher promised you an overnight multiplication of finances, you have just been scammed. You will get nothing out of it, seeing that you never really gave it to honour the Lord and to see His work prosper. You gave it out of greed to have your money doubled overnight. And God is no money doubler.
If you give to be seen and praised of men, have your name engraved on church walls and seats, that’s the only reward you will get out of it. Regardless of how much you gave. You must never give to impress any man.
Always be alert against manipulators on suits who use fear and threats to force you to give. They may come to you saying things like “if you don’t give you won’t get blessed. Your business will be cursed, your health attacked and you will go to hell.” Such are the messengers of Satan who are only after their own belly. Never give in to their threats.
“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Rom 16:18)
The man in Christ is already a blessed being. He does not need to give in order to keep curses, destroyers and satanic attacks away from him. The blessings of God already bestowed on him ensure that.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3)
The man in Christ is to give as God has prospered him, bearing in mind that his giving or not giving will go a long way to affect the work of the Gospel, since it takes money to acquire and maintain things like public address systems, church buildings etc.
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2Co 9:7-8)
A believer can purpose in his heart to give 10, 20, 30 or 90 percent of his resources on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. He has not sinned in any way regardless of the name that kind of giving is called in his local church in line with the Word. If it is done cheerfully without any form of manipulation, to honour the Lord and support His work, then there is a reward for it which the Lord Himself will give us.
So can believers still practice the giving of Tithes, Offerings, Partnerships etc in church today? As long as the motives for such is in line with the scriptures (to honour the Lord, support ministers and fellow believers in the work of ministry), there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
In our local church (Grace Word Assembly), we are perfectly fine with just the regular offerings and ministry partnerships that we give in our church branches. But that does not make us any better than other churches where people give more than that. Neither does this mean that if any member decides of his or her own will to give more than what we regularly give in church, we will reject it. No we won’t. As long as they have properly understood what the Bible truly teaches concerning giving, it is all good.
I hope this blesses you.
Say “I choose to honour the Lord, with my resources. Through my giving, the work of the Gospel will prosper in my locality and all over the world. Glory to God!”
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