We’ve added a new feature here at the Salt Lick.  On Monday’s we will be interacting with Sunday nights message from The Five.  Last night at The Five we continued our series, “Foundations”, and looked specifically at giving, and what God’s plan for giving is.  I asked people to text me questions at any time during the sermon and said we would interact with those questions here on the blog.  It’s kind of an interesting experiment each week!  If you weren’t able to be at the Five this Sunday night, head over here, and listen in…  Well, here are the questions…  

If you believe in the “tithe” does that belief discourage someone from giving more than 10%?

This is a great question.  I don’t believe that there is a definitive Biblical answer to this question.  However, in my mind, I would say that we should be careful in preaching and teaching a 10% tithing situation.  I have seen and know some very generous people who give way more than 10%.  Tithing unfortunately could become very legalistic with some people figuring out what they “owe” down to the penny.  Now, maybe this is diligence at it’s best.  Or maybe this is just filling out a check to rid yourself of that nagging guilty feeling.  

Let me offer one quick illustration.  Whenever we do a fundraiser lunch, we make a suggested donation.  We don’t ever have a hard number of what it costs to eat.  We do this for two reasons.  One because we want anyone to come and enjoy the fellowship, even if they can’t pay for it.  And two because we know that there will be some people who will give way more than what we would think the normal donation would be if they weren’t told what to give.  

SO, I would say, let’s be careful.  Don’t squash the Spirit.

What about the poor we see after we have given the tithe?

It is our responsibility to help the poor and the needy.  I can’t stress enough that God wants to use His Church to change the world!  We are those change agents.  If we close our eye to a brother or sister in need, then we should be shot!  Don’t tell me you want to build the kingdom of God, but you are unwilling to take care of that kingdom.  

Giving is not about meeting a quota, or hitting some special number.  It is about accomplishing what God wants to do in and through you.  1 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us of this, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

When you run into that needy person after you have already put your check in the offering box at church, I see you having one of several options.  1, run to your on-line bank and cancel the check, 2 do nothing, 3 feel the stirring of God in your heart and watch as that compassion breaks something fierce in you and you do what the early church did in Acts 2; find the money in order to meet the need.  (all while trusting that God will provide for all of your needs, even as you provide for the needs of others!)

How do we know that what the Bible says about giving 10% in the OT still applies to us today?  Should we be giving more than that….i am just confused about where it talks about the 10% tithe?

We see a few references in the new testament to tithing, (Matthew 23:23, Luke 18:12).  I see these references as honestly being very Old Testament in nature.  I see Jesus saying, you do all of those things, but you neglect the important parts!  You neglect what is truly valuable.   In Matthew 23 Jesus is talking to the Pharisee’s and He is saying, you tithe down to your herb garden!  WOW! But you blow it so big in so many other areas.  The next location is Luke 18:12 and there we find Jesus talking about a Pharisee who was praying and boasting in himself and the great works that he does, with tithing being one of them.  

This is a hard question to answer.  The best way for me to carefully walk down this road is to say that tithing is a good thing, as long as it is kept in check.  I believe that it is a good thing, however I see a potential for tithing to squash what the Holy Spirit may want you to do.  Meaning, God may have a great ministry opportunity for you to give to, however you can’t because “you have already given”.  See my above comments…  They may help.  

When I read the New Testament I see time and time again where we are to give what is on our hearts.  If we have Jesus as the center of our life, and we are living to be more sanctified, and spirit led, God will be placing a burden on our hearts for the needs of those around us.  In addition I believe that when that is the case God will even supply us with the resources to be able to give.  

Great questions!  I can’t wait for next Monday!  

What do you think?  Click on comments, and leave your thoughts…  Let’s learn from each other.

~Peter