Yesterday, I exposed the greatest money lie told believers today in churches- you MUST tithe or else God is angry at you/your finances! This is the second part.
The instruction is not ‘Don’t give’ or, ‘Don’t tell people to give.’ The instruction is simple: “DON’T ASK/COMPEL/CAJOLE/INTIMIDATE/SWINDLE/COAX BELIEVERS TO TITHE!” That is unbiblical.
People sometimes confuse the two. What we say is that it is unscriptural for ANY church or Man of God to force people to pay tithes. If I as a believer want to give 10% of my income to God weekly, then that is my decision. It is not to be enforced on me by anybody, and then labeled ‘tithes’ backed up with Malachi 3.
If I decide to give all my money to charity, it is my money. And if I decide to give it to a particular man of God monthly, it is still my money and personal decision. No man of God should use persuasion tricks of ‘it works,’ on people (-what doesn’t work?!) AND THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES. How do I know? Simple, let’s see what God commands on giving of our money/wealth:
Why do we give?
1. Because God commands it Exo 30:13, Lev 1, Deut 15:11, Prov 19:17
2. Because God has blessed us, and it is good to give Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35, Heb 13:16
3. Because we love God, and want his work to progress Acts 4: 32-33, 2Cor 8:8
4. Because there will always be needy people amongst us Deut 15:11, Matt 26:11, Prov 19:17
5. Because we will be richly blessed in return Prov 19:17, Luke 6:38, 2Cor 9:8,11, Phil 4:19
Who should we give to?
1. Give to the poor: Deut 15:11, Prov 14:31, 22:9, Matt 6:1-4, 19:21, Acts 4:34
2. Give to the Lord: Gen 4:4, Gen 14:20, Exo 30:13-16, Luke 6:38
3. Give to support the gospel/work of God: Acts 4: 37, Phil 4:15
4. Give to fellow believers: Act 4:32, 20:25, 2 Cor 9:1, Gal 6:10
5. Give to anyone that ask of you (if you have): Matt 5:42
6. Give to those who feed you with the word, including your pastors, ministers of God, etc: Luke 10:7, 1 Cor 9:7-15, Phil 4:15
7. Give to/support your family: 1 Tim 5:8
8. Give to the government by paying your taxes due.Matt 22:21, Rom 13:3-7
How should we give?
1. Give according to what you have 2Cor 8:11
2. Cheerfully not fearfully, Exo 35:22, 2Cor 9:7
3. Wholeheartedly, without grudging, 2Cor 9:5
What percentage should we give?
1. Every man as he has purposed in his heart; Acts 4:37, 5:1-4 (they promised to give all but then lied to God by bringing part)
2. Every SPIRITUAL man as he is led by God Exo 35:21
I personally recommend budgeting at least 10% of your monthly income for offerings and charity donations monthly (to a maximum of 30% only in extraordinary conditions.) I must confess that I try not to spend more than 70% of my income as advocated in the classic by George Classon "The Richest Man In Babylon." Personally, I budget the remaining 30% for savings and charity. I devote 20% for savings and 10% for charity.
[If you want the ebook, or any ebook at all, you can send me an email.]
I hear some pastors preach giving up to 50% of salary, while it is ok to help members develop their faith to be able to give 50% without blinking, do not make it a compulsory teaching, don’t force anyone, or hoodwink your members. Even from my research on personal finance, there are millions of people who can go three full months without salary and they will survive quite well because they live far below their earnings. But that does not mean we should tempt God by not being diligent with our money, and then give it all away without being led by his spirit, or commonsense.
[If you want the ebook, or any ebook at all, you can send me an email.]
I hear some pastors preach giving up to 50% of salary, while it is ok to help members develop their faith to be able to give 50% without blinking, do not make it a compulsory teaching, don’t force anyone, or hoodwink your members. Even from my research on personal finance, there are millions of people who can go three full months without salary and they will survive quite well because they live far below their earnings. But that does not mean we should tempt God by not being diligent with our money, and then give it all away without being led by his spirit, or commonsense.
In summary, giving out your money (to someone) shows that you trust that person. Your money signifies your sweat, your time and in many cases, your total material worth.
Give because you want to give back, and because it feels good to give (it releases endorphins). Give because we are instructed to give. But most importantly, give because you love God!
Give because you want to give back, and because it feels good to give (it releases endorphins). Give because we are instructed to give. But most importantly, give because you love God!
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| Image: janelongca.com |
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