Roberts Privilege of Tithes and Offerings

Is Tithing a Choice or a Command for Present Day Christians
1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-0-9905430-1-5
Verlag: MDR Publishing
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 168 Seiten

Much debate continues within the Christian faith as to whether a person is instructed to tithe to the Church in the Modern Era. Both sides of the divide are equally convinced as to their belief. The Privilege of Tithes and Offerings offers the reader the opportunity to explore what is really meant when we tithe or offer one's contributions to God. Do we do it begrudgingly or do we do it as a mark of our true heart condition in relation to all that God has given to us? The reader is left with that decision for themselves but the author challenges each and every one as to where their treasure is. God doesn't need our money. He doesn't sit on His throne with a ledger writing down what you have given him in your offerings. Perhaps many of us should be thankful that He does not. Ultimately, every Christian, whichever side of the divide they stand, should have a willing heart in offering to God their Time, Talent, Treasure and Touch. Tithes and offerings are truly a privilege from God, inviting us to step out in faith and put our trust in Him.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Roberts, Martin

Leseproben

Introduction

When I began to consider writing this book I knew from the onset that at some juncture a person, and most likely a Christian, will be on one of two sides of the choices I present in the following pages. The purpose of this book is not to confuse or criticize a person's choice as to their tithes or offerings. But it is a book that is meant to challenge a person as to where his or her heart lies and where they place God in their lives. From the outset, let me say this book is not meant to be a book of condemnation regarding your personal tithes and offerings. I am not your judge and neither are you mine. Many of the points I mention in this book are my beliefs which many other Christians share, and equally, many do not. But there lies the conundrum of this whole discussion. Surely there can be only one side? Or do we have a selection of choices?

By definition, offering is not the focus of the argument. What we do offer can be questioned if we are offering less than what we genuinely are able to offer. We must be careful not to be covetous in our thoughts and actions.

The focus of the argument is whether we should tithe, that is, give 10% of our income. The argument then spirals down to even a further layer of argument. Whether we should tithe 10% of our net income or gross income.

I often liken the giving of tithes, or rather the personal beliefs of an individual giving of tithes, to that of the Rapture. If you are of the Christian faith you will be aware that many believe in a Pre-Tribulation which is the term described as Christ's followers being raptured to heaven prior to the tribulation mentioned in Revelation. Then there are those who believe in Mid-Tribulation, which relates to the rapture occurring midway into the Tribulation, or three and one half years after the Tribulation has started. Then finally there are the Post-Tribulation believers who believe Christ will come for His bride at the end of the Tribulation period. There are actually many more thoughts and theories as to this timed event. I say "timed" because it is going to happen. However, this book is not a discussion of the Tribulation period. But it clearly highlights the point that, as Christians, we all have differing beliefs, thoughts or opinions on scripture, or indeed, how we interpret the word of God.

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:33a, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (ESV).

We could go into a whole discussion of the many disagreements within our churches as to those who believe in giving the first or tenth of everything they earn. On the other side of the argument are those who believe that the New Testament ushered in the New Covenant of Jesus Christ and therefore the Mosaic Law Covenant that detailed the giving of tithes was no longer valid. In other words, we can give whatever we choose to give or, for that matter, nothing at all.

It is my hope and prayer that after discussing this very important subject you will accept the decision that God puts into your heart as to your giving of tithes or offerings. I pray that you will ask God for guidance and direction.

We are not talking about God expecting someone to give his very last dollar and not provide for his family. Scripture does not, and never has, supported that view. Rather, we want to discuss what God expects of us. It is a fact that among churches today there is a wide disparity of giving in order to support one's local church or some other ministry in order to further the gospel of Christ. Both within and outside the church there is widespread criticism of the mega churches or televangelists constantly asking you for money to pay for something that requests such support. Reveal your email or postal address to such requests and you'll be bombarded with demands for money constantly!

Again, it is my hope that this book will be unbiased as to the observations and comments made. What I will strongly support is my own belief and why I support that belief based on God's word. That, I already know, will place me in opposition to those who may not share the points I suggest but are nonetheless the requirements God asks of us.

The ultimate point is this, irrespective of what side you fall on. God does not require your money. He does not need it. If He did, He could simply take it or withdraw it from your source long before you had it in the first place.

God isn't sitting in heaven with a ledger with our name written in the margin and writing down what we have given him each week or each month. But I would suggest, for many of us, we should be thankful He does not!

There were specific reasons why God commanded that His people in ancient times were to give of their worth and belongings. There was also provision under the Mosaic Law for hardship cases [the book of Ruth is a great example of this].

But our discussion, albeit drawing attention to the many laws set in the Old Testament, is centered primarily in what we should consider what God requires of us in our day. God's requirement isn't a money issue. It is an obedience issue.

Just like a household needing financial provision to pay for utilities and upkeep and repairs in the home, so too our churches need the same support. Many areas in the world do not have the privileges we take for granted in the Western world. Basic sanitation and protection from the elements are essential lifesaving requirements where missionaries work to further the gospel. Many times financial support is required to help those escape crime or sexual endangerment and for those who are easy prey to unscrupulous evil people looking to exploit the evil of human trafficking etc. Many ministries work hard to provide fresh water by installing basic wells to those who have never known what it is like to drink a clean, fresh cup of water, free of the contaminants that kill or infect so many.

Aside from this, many of the leaders and their teams engaged in serving as pastors, support staff and the like, do so full-time and should expect to receive a salary. After all, would you work a 40+ hour week for nothing? If not, then why would you expect your pastor and staff to work for nothing? How else are they to provide for their families and living costs?

We will discuss these and many more situations.

We will look into ancient attitudes and our own and see if what we do reflects the nature of God in our lives. We will consult many scriptures as to the ancient laws of tithes and offerings. Finally, we will discuss if our attitude toward tithing places us in God's blessing or whether we, in fact, may be acting in a way that we may be cursed. Yes, you read that correctly. We can actually be blessed or cursed by disobeying God and refusal of giving tithes was no different for God's people in ancient times as it is today. I know some of you may be thinking being "cursed" is too strong a term, but we will consult scripture in order to identify why God said it and where we stand before God on this issue. We will discuss and I will again concede, many may disagree as to whether tithing of our first tenth of all income is applicable in our day or not.

I would ask a person who may question or doubt such feelings of what they should provide, "Why are you thinking that way?"

If you are already questioning or wonder whether you give to the Lord sufficiently, I can testify that I know that feeling or thought. I heard those questions in my own conscious thoughts. I've justified the same thoughts and feelings of keeping "my" money. But after I chose to give what I believe scripture tells us to, not only did those nagging feelings and thoughts disappear, but my wife and I saw our finances improve. Many of us are trapped into the deceitful thinking of the devil when we hear ourselves say "I can't afford to give that amount each month to the church". But watch what God will do when you do tithe and you rely and surrender to God.

As you read through this book you may agree or perhaps disagree just as strongly to some of the points you will read in these pages. In reality, the argument or disagreement with regard to tithing stops at one singular point of difference. That point is whether a Christian should give the first ten percent of their income to God. When I started to study and research for this book I could obviously see the two differing arguments. But as you read on, my research explores far more than whether we should give a certain percentage. It wasn't until I was reflecting on this and other points that I suddenly realized the ultimate point all of us should face. When we acknowledge God's Grace and mercy in what He has done for us we are faced with an undeniable question.

Is God only worth 10%?

For everything that He has done for us now and what He will do for us in the future, does He deserve the arguments that occur in His church as to what we should honor Him with in our giving?

Would it not be better to give Him all that we can possibly afford without reservation?

This book isn't about whether we tithe or give ten percent of our net or gross income to God (although I strongly support the latter in such giving).

Rather, it is far more than any figure that we could argue over.

It is more about how much we love God, how much we trust in God, how much we are obedient to God and what we should do, or are compelled to do, in order to please Him out of our love for Him.

Ultimately tithing, by the very fact that we are born with a free will, is a personal decision. But with decision comes responsibility. With responsibility comes action. With action comes commitment. This book does not attempt to demand or even tell you what to do. It will offer...