3. HOWEVER, it is worth pointing out that the apostles did not try to emphasize the duty of giving by preaching on tithing.

Transcription

1 #4 MISUSED BIBLE WORDS: TITHING A. Thus far we have discussed several words found in the Bible that are commonly misused: Fellowship, Ministry, Grace, Saint, Miracle, Witnessing or Testifying. 1. In this lesson we will discuss the word tithe or tithing (verb). 2. Most people, who call themselves Christians, refer to their offering into the church s treasury their tithe offering to God. B. There is more said on the subject of giving in the NT than of faith, repentance or baptism of the 29 parables of Christ are financial parables. 3. HOWEVER, it is worth pointing out that the apostles did not try to emphasize the duty of giving by preaching on tithing. C. The chief argument in support of tithing today is based on Paul s statement that Christ is priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:6). 1. The argument is that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek; therefore Christians should pay tithes to Christ. 2. As we will see in this lesson, that reasoning is not sound, so the conclusion is not logical. [Let s spend a few minutes addressing this main argument in favor of Christian tithing.] I. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF TITHING 1 2. Whole chapters in the Epistles to the churches are devoted to the subject of giving. A. Christ is priest after the order of Melchizedek, but ONLY in the particular way citied (Heb 7:2-3).

2 1. Jesus, like Melchizedek, did not come from a priestly lineage. 2. He had neither predecessor nor successor in his priesthood. 3. Therefore, He remains a priest continually. a. The reference to Abraham giving a tenth part to Melchizedek was ONLY to emphasize the greatness of Melchizedek. b. He was so great that even the great Abraham, the father of those who live by faith, paid him tithes (Rom 4:16). c. The main point of the writer was to show that Jesus Christ is priest after the order of Melchizedek because He is a priest FOREVER (Heb 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21). [Another argument for tithing is from the same context. Paul commands us to walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had (Rom 4:12). And we are told that one of the steps of Abraham s faith was tithing.] B. If we are to consider one of the steps of Abraham s faith, shouldn t we consider all of his steps of faith? 1. Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar; He practiced circumcision & made animal sacrifices must we follow in those steps of faith? 2. The plain truth is that Paul did NOT command us to walk in the literal steps of Abraham, BUT to walk in the steps of [his] FAITH (Rom 4:12). a. To walk in Abraham s actual steps would require the doing of all that he did. b. But to walk in the steps of [his] FAITH is to be guided by the same principle of unhesitating faith in doing all that God commands us By faith Abraham OBEYED (Heb 11:8-10). 2

3 3. So if it cannot be shown (by apostolic command, approved example or necessary conclusion) that Christians are commanded to tithe, then for us to do so would mean that we are NOT walking in the steps of Abraham s faith. [A third argument for tithing is that it was practiced many centuries before the Law of Moses was given. So the reasoning goes that tithing was not merely a part of the Old Law to the Israelites (Deut 5:3), it has been part of God s universal law from the beginning of time.] C. There were other religious practices observed before the giving of the Old Law. 1. For example, burnt offerings & drink offerings, as well as circumcision (Gen 22:13; 35:14; 17:14) must we observe these religious practices today? 2. Once again, if it cannot be shown that Christians are commanded to do a certain thing then it should not be done. 3. Today we are commanded to follow the authority of One, Jesus Christ & His chosen representatives the apostles (Col 3:17; 2 John 9-10; Phil 3:17; 4:9). [Tithing belongs to the letter & legalism of the Old Law, & not to the spirit & freedom of the New. The New Law (Christ s Law) does not command us to pay a tithe or a tax, but to give a voluntary, liberal & cheerful gift to God who will judge the giver. That is what we want to discuss next.] II. HOW CHRISTIANS GIVE A. Just because the NT does not bind tithing on Christians does not mean that we are exempt from giving generously of our means. 1. Christians are described as trustees, stewards of the possessions God has given them (1 Cor 4:1-2; 1 Pet 4:10; Tit 1:7; Luke 12:42; 16:1-13). 3

4 a. A trustee is someone who can be trusted; a person to whom legal title to property is entrusted to use for another's benefit. b. God has entrusted this right to us, & others, besides us, are the beneficiaries. c. So Christian giving is both a question of HOW MUCH we must give to obey God, & HOW LITTLE we should keep for ourselves. a. Everyone pitches in so that no one bears a heavier load (according to what they have). 7. A matter of generosity (9:5). 8. Not as a grudging obligation (9:5). 9. Sow bountifully (9:6). 10. As he purposes in his heart (9:7). 11. Not grudgingly or of necessity (9:7). 12. Cheerful (9:7). 13. Liberal sharing (9:13). B. What is the standard that determines the amount we must give? Two entire chapters written by Paul are devoted to this subject (2 Cor 8, 9). 1. Abound in this grace (8:7). 2. A readiness to desire (8:11). 3. Out of what you have (8:11). 4. A willing mind (8:12). 5. According to what one has (8:12). C. Well suppose that someone will not purpose in his heart to give what he ought to for the Lord s work. 1. That problem has troubled many elders over the years. What should be done? 2. Should we institute tithing, to make sure that everyone gives at least 10% of their earnings? 6. That there may be equality (8:14). 4

5 3. Should we teach that because we are Christians with greater spiritual blessings in Christ then we must give more than 10% of our earnings? a. I don t believe these are practicable or scriptural solutions. 4. No, in a case like that, we just get out of the way & let cause & effect take over; in other words, we let the Lord handle it (2 Cor 9:6-11). D. 1 st Corinthians 16 provides us with an outline for Christians giving (within the local church). There we see in verse two (NKJV) 1. The command to give. Lay something aside. 2. When do we give? On the first day of the week. 3. Who should give? Each one of you. 4. How should we give? As he may prosper. E. Brother Roy Cogdill in his booklet New Testament Church laid out the subject of Christian giving. 1. Regularly: On the first day of the week. 2. Individually: Let each one of you lay something aside. 3. Proportionately: As he may prosper. 4. Preventatively: That there be no collections when I come (suggesting a common treasury). 5. Liberally & cheerfully: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, & he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:6-7). 6. Purposefully: so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity (2 Cor 9:7). 7. Sacrificially, the churches of Macedonia were freely willing beyond their ability to take up a collection for the saints (2 Cor 8:1-5). [The scope of NT principles concerning Christian giving falls within the range of these passages & principles. The plan is complete, & tithing was never a consideration.] 5. Why should we give? That there be no collections when I come. a. That they may be ready at all times to do what is needful. 5

6 CLOSING A. Giving, in the way the Lord commands us to give, will not impoverish us, it will bless us (2 Cor 9:10-11). B. The highest example of giving is Christ (2 Cor 8:9). The Christian whose heart is full of the love of Jesus Christ will be able to sing without mental reservation: Take my silver & my gold, not a mite would I withhold. Take my life & let it be, always, only, Lord, to Thee. Reference: Foy E. Wallace, Jr. The Present Truth. Foy E. Wallace Jr. Publications. Noble Patterson Publisher- Distributor. 6