Today's Bible Translation

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Kai Pilger on Unsplash

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 40-41 NIV, Ch. 42-43 ERV

Support

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Thoughts

What, me?

Leviticus 27:30-33 talks about tithes. Verse 34, the closing verse of Leviticus, says, "These are the commands that the LORD gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites."

So giving tithes was a command. It was not optional.

The question is, are we as believers in Jesus obligated to tithe? Let's do a little digging.

Some Background

First, what is a tithe? A tithe is an offering of 10%. And it did not originate with the Mosaic Law. There are references to tithes being given in Genesis 14 and 28, before Moses was born.

The New Testament does not give a requirement to tithe, but it does mention the tithe with favor. One example is Hebrews 7:4-10, when Abraham give a tithe to Melchizedek. 

Giving however, is commanded in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, where Paul says, "Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once." NLTHebrews 7:4-10 NLT

Notice that Paul said that not only should giving should be done, but that it should be planned for and done regularly.

In 2 Corinthians 8:8, Paul says that giving is a test of our love for God and those who do His work.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul compares giving to a farmer. The farmer who plants sparingly will reap sparingly. The one who plants generously will reap generously. 

And then he goes on in the very next verse and says that each person must decide in his or her own heart how much to give, and don't give reluctantly or because of pressure, "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And, he says, God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 

And in 1 Corinthians 9:7-14, Paul says that we should give to those who feed us spiritually. 

Is Giving An Option?

This is Paul speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, beloved. If we accept the Bible as true, then we need to accept these verses as true.

My Experience

Now, let me tell you my experience in giving. First, I was not brought up in a believing home. My parents did not go to church, though my mom did in at least her teen years. I wasn't even aware of that fact until after she passed away, when I was going through some of her papers and found that she was a leader in her youth group. But since my dad was very much anti-church and anti-God, going to church was a non-starter when I was a boy. I tell you that to say that I did not have any training from home on giving to God's work.

When I got saved as a teenager,