This brings us to a great question someone has asked. “Should Christians give financially to a church?” I want to give you a biblical answer.
The Background of Giving (Malachi 3:8-12) The Old Testament has a lot to say about tithing, in fact the word tithe means a 10th. A tithe is 10% of your whole income. Here’s the background: The tithe or 10% of one’s income was given as a way to support the Levites. The Levites didn’t have any land. They didn’t get an inheritance, and the way that the tribe supported the Levite Priest was through this tax. Malachi talks about the tithe in Malachi 3:8-12 says: “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.” The old joke among farmers was that if you had crop failure you weren’t paying the preacher. Jesus paid the temple tax recorded in Matthew 17:27 when he pulled a coin out of the fish’s month to give to the temple.
The Example of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Paul challenges the church of Corinth to give to the church of Jerusalem.
3 Lessons about Giving
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
- Adoration v.6– If you give little, don’t expect God to bless you with a lot. I believe He will bless those who are sold out to furthering the gospel.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (Remember A & S in Acts 5)
- Attitude v.7– Giving needs to have the right Attitude, genuine, not out of duty.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
- Authority v.8 Does Christ have authority over your finances? Paul is saying that God will bless you if you trust Him with your giving.
Dangerous giving: I can only think of two reasons not to give. 1. When the church is not transparent about where and how the money is being used. 2. When extravagance comes before the gospel. When comfort comes before the Great Commission! We must hold everything under the biblical microscope of the Great Commission to see if it will benefit the church!
The Need for Giving (Philippians 4:15)
Lastly, Paul wrote to the Philippians thanking them for helping him on his missionary journey. Philippians 4:15 “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.” Paul is thanking them for their love offering. Ministry does cost! If you enjoy AC in church on a hot day, give! I’m not being legalistic, I’m just being realistic. Missions cost, utilities cost, staff cost, but it’s all to further the gospel. 1 Timothy 5:18 “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
The answer to this question is yes! I believe this question points to the gospel! How so pastor? You cannot trust Christ with eternal life and not trust Him with your finances. He is either Lord of all or not Lord at all! Secondly, giving is the means to further the gospel! If you love the gospel, you love giving! It’s that simple. The people that are asking, “do I have to give” are starting off on the wrong foot immediately! Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” We see in Acts 2, the ignition of the local church and how it’s God’s plan A and there is no plan B. We have to stop asking what the church can do for us and start applying our God given talents for what we can do for the church.