From my long-ago school days I remember tests coming in a variety of types. My favorite was the multiple-choice test. As you know, a variety of responses are provided and your job is to select the best possible answer. The nice thing about the multiple-choice type of tests is that if three possible responses are provided, you have a 33.9% chance of guessing the right answer. The only type better than multiple-choice is the true-false. There you have a 50% chance of guessing the right answer!
It’s funny how some believers approach the commands of God like a multiple-choice or true-false test. Since when do we have the right to determine if a certain command is relevant for our lives? Since when does “Thus saith the Lord” leave room for options?
Sadly, this is how many Christians today approach the biblical commandment of tithing. Some dismiss it outright. Others relegate it to the trash heap of irrelevance by saying, "Tithing is soooo Old Testament!" Yes it is. So is the biblical account of creation and the Ten Commandments.
Some conveniently claim exemption from tithing by saying it's a fixture of the Old Testament Law of Moses. Actually, tithing pre-dates the Law. In the Book of Genesis we read of God's people tithing hundreds of years before the Law came into existence (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). They were richly blessed for it, too!
And then some wave the grace flag as if grace excuses us from obeying God's commands. When it comes to Grace vs. Law, Jesus set the standard in the Sermon on the Mount. According to Jesus, grace does not require less than the Old Testament Law. Grace requires more.
The Law says, "Don't commit adultery." Grace says, "Don't lust." The Law says, "Don't commit murder." Grace says, "Don't hate." The Law says, "Go the first mile." Grace says, "Go the second." The Law says, "Bring your tithe into the storehouse." Grace says, "Don't worry about tithing. You're excused from this biblical command."
NO! Grace says, "See that you abound in this grace also" (2 Corinthians 8:7). As New Testament believers we are to abound in the grace of giving. Paul said abound, not abandon. In other words, tithe and then some! Go the second mile. Be a generous giver who gives over and above the tithe. Be an overcomer when it comes to honoring God in this area of your life.
Don’t let some well-meaning but confused Christian talk you out of the biblical practice of tithing. Don’t let anyone rob you of your blessings by telling you tithing is optional in the Christian life. It isn't. Obey and be blessed!
Pastor Todd Weston
It’s funny how some believers approach the commands of God like a multiple-choice or true-false test. Since when do we have the right to determine if a certain command is relevant for our lives? Since when does “Thus saith the Lord” leave room for options?
Sadly, this is how many Christians today approach the biblical commandment of tithing. Some dismiss it outright. Others relegate it to the trash heap of irrelevance by saying, "Tithing is soooo Old Testament!" Yes it is. So is the biblical account of creation and the Ten Commandments.
Some conveniently claim exemption from tithing by saying it's a fixture of the Old Testament Law of Moses. Actually, tithing pre-dates the Law. In the Book of Genesis we read of God's people tithing hundreds of years before the Law came into existence (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). They were richly blessed for it, too!
And then some wave the grace flag as if grace excuses us from obeying God's commands. When it comes to Grace vs. Law, Jesus set the standard in the Sermon on the Mount. According to Jesus, grace does not require less than the Old Testament Law. Grace requires more.
The Law says, "Don't commit adultery." Grace says, "Don't lust." The Law says, "Don't commit murder." Grace says, "Don't hate." The Law says, "Go the first mile." Grace says, "Go the second." The Law says, "Bring your tithe into the storehouse." Grace says, "Don't worry about tithing. You're excused from this biblical command."
NO! Grace says, "See that you abound in this grace also" (2 Corinthians 8:7). As New Testament believers we are to abound in the grace of giving. Paul said abound, not abandon. In other words, tithe and then some! Go the second mile. Be a generous giver who gives over and above the tithe. Be an overcomer when it comes to honoring God in this area of your life.
Don’t let some well-meaning but confused Christian talk you out of the biblical practice of tithing. Don’t let anyone rob you of your blessings by telling you tithing is optional in the Christian life. It isn't. Obey and be blessed!
Pastor Todd Weston
