Since the tithe debate began, I have seen the devil use a trivial matter to cause disharmony in the body of Christ. Yes, it is a trivial matter because it is not as important as salvation- the greatest need of the unregenerate man. The devil has always been using trivial matters to divide the body of Christ at the expense of our common assignment-world evangelization. Many years ago, it was the issue of weaves and attachment, wearing of trousers, covering the head, use of jewelry etc. Gradually, that phase of argument ended and now it is the turn of tithing. The campaign against tithing is from the devil, take that from me. Why do I say so? Those at the front-line of this campaign have called Pastors names like 'scammers', 'fraudsters', 'yahoo-yahoo' and other derogatory names that God wouldn't call his servants. It is very unfortunate that even some believers are now calling their pastors names and saying 'Christianity is a scam'. Imagine! How can Christianity be a scam? If only you know how weighty those words are, you will see that the devil is behind this campaign. I was surprised that a Pastor said 'maybe God is using an ass to speak' like the ass that spoke in the bible. The ass that spoke in the bible didn't call men of God names neither did God use it to tear His kingdom apart or to cause disharmony amongst the brethren. Anytime an argument is tampering with the unity of the brethren, just know that the devil is behind it. (Psalm133:1-3). The non-tithing Christians now look at tithers as 'mumus' (a derogatory name used for fools in Nigeria) while the tithing Christians are seeing non-tithers as 'losers'. When you put all that together, you will see that brotherly love is ebbing away gradually. What we Christians do sometimes in the name of correction is simply an attack on persons, churches and organizations. It is very hard to see moslems do that even though they have their differences.
Anytime God want to talk to His people, he sends teachers of bible doctrines and prophets to warn his people, not men and women of questionable character seeking cheap attention, (1Timothy 4:16). Those behind this campaign are offended probably because of certain things they've seen some pastors do and I understand because some preachers have gone to the extreme in their lifestyle of open display of flamboyance, but as long as you try to pass a message from the spirit of offence, you'll be a noise maker. We don't teach/correct from the standpoint of offence, we teach and correct from the standpoint of love.
Jesus said in Matthew11:6 that blessed are those that are not offended in Him.
BAD REACTIONS FROM SOME 'FATHERS'
In fact, I must say that I am not happy with the responses of some of our so called 'fathers' of the faith in Nigeria. Some have threatened and even come out to declare how much they want to start giving to God. The devil is taking glory that way. It is a sign that the words of those campaigning against tithing have gotten to them. I understand that it is not easy, but sometimes, silence is golden. If there's a need to address a sensitive matter such as this, a sound bible teaching is better than threats, name-calling or better still, silence is the best. MINISTRY IS NOT ABOUT TITHING. There is more to being in ministry than to allow trivial matters that don't affect man's eternity to bother us.
A CALL TO CHECK OUR CONSCIENCES
Well, since the campaign started, if there's anything I agree with, it is about calling every minister of God to check their consciences on flamboyance and extravagance. To be sincere with you, there's too much extravagance and flamboyance such as should not be seen amongst those that profess our faith. I still don't understand the rationale behind a man of God having '45' cars as was reported some time ago. I have seen pictures of a Pastor's ‘all white birthday party’ on a ship with sexy-looking ladies. I have seen a Pastor driving a Limo with heavily armed convoy moving with him and walks on red carpet whenever he's coming down from his vehicle. Please, what's the meaning of that? Certain things in themselves aren't sinful but it draws unnecessary attention in such a way that is unbecoming of a believer, let alone a minister of the gospel. Our lives should be simple without drawing unnecessary attention.
Some preachers can hardly end a message without raising funds and promising 'sudden breakthroughs' with little or no emphasis on salvation and eternity. Some of our churches are turning into glorified clubs where we pay comedians heavily to come and make us laugh. Where is the joy of the Lord and power in the Holy Ghost? A comedienne was invited to a church program. She told the congregation how much she collects per show (above N1million) but because the Pastor is a friend, she gave a discount. In my honest opinion, that's misappropriation of God's money. If that money had been used for evangelism, more souls would have been won. God would be happy. Comedy cannot win souls. If you're a Pastor using God's money for comedy shows, repent! The offering and tithe of people have been used or administered badly and I think this accounts for the reason why so many tongues are wagging on ministers of the gospel. In America, there's an association for financial accountability amongst evangelicals which most churches belong to. We don't have such a system that makes ministers accountable here and that has made some to become lords and masters to themselves. Men of God are now building empires for themselves instead of building the Kingdom with God. God has impressed it upon my heart that every empire of men would fall but His kingdom would stand forever. If half of the wealth of the Nigerian church is used for mission-related activities, we would evangelize the whole of Africa in two decades.
Be that as it may, not all Pastors (including all that are called into the five-fold ministry) are bad and not all that are collecting tithe are administering it wrongly. The devil want you to see all ministers of the gospel as one and the same, but there are a few that are standing for the truth and are still walking in the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. As a matter of fact, you'll notice that the searchlight of criticism is beamed on the Pentecostals and not the orthodox churches like Baptist, Anglican, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, etc. Every Pentecostal leader should learn about church and money administration from orthodox churches. We thank God for the gift of the Spirit in the Pentecostal circle but whatever we don't know, we should be humble enough to learn from our orthodox brethren.
Whatever may have been done wrong by some pastors and preachers doesn't invalidate the principle of tithing. TITHING IS STILL A VALID PRINCIPLE and we shall look at it from the scriptures.
TITHING FROM SCRIPTURES
There are two types of tithing in the bible which existed in different dispensations:
(A) Abrahamic tithing (Pre-Law Era)
(B) Mosaic tithing (Law Era or the Ten Commandment Era)
ABRAHAMIC TITHING – PRE-LAW ERA
The opponents of tithing have emphasized that we preach tithe (a commandment under the law) and exclude other commandments of the law because it is not tied to money. I must say that tithing as a principle didn't start with the law of Moses, tithing started 700 years before the Mosaic Law came on the scene. Tithing was imported into the law as God's welfare package for the Levites but it didn't start with the Mosaic Law.
What is tithe? It simply means tenth.
THE GENESIS
Let's look into the scriptures:
Genesis14:17-20,“After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (ESV)
The summary of the story is that Lot (Abraham's nephew) was taken captive during the war that ensued between the kings of Elam and Sodom. Lot was taken as a prisoner of war by the King of Elam so Abraham mobilized his private army to recover Lot from the King of Elam and his allies. He defeated them and while returning home, he met a King who was also a High priest named MELCHIZEDEK. This king brought bread and wine (a typology of communion). Melchizedek gave us a little insight into how Abraham conquered Elam and his allies:
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High who has given your enemies into your hand." Genesis14:19-20
The conquest of Abraham was made possible by God and not an act of his bravery or skill but grace. Abraham, upon realizing these gave Melchizedek a tenth of all he got from the spoils of war.
Abraham tithed in acknowledgment of the fact that all he had, came by the hand of God- possessor of heaven and the earth. So in essence, he tithed as an act of worship and as an act of grace he received for conquest. Can you see that? Would it be wrong if you tithe as an act of worship?
WHY TEN PERCENT?
Have you ever wondered why Abraham gave 10%? Why not 9%? Well, it goes to show the divine origin of the principle of tithing and we should accept it in its simplicity and stop rationalizing or being too analytical. The more we try to be philosophical about spiritual things, the farther we would be from the essence for which it was instituted. I see it as a minimum acknowledgment of God's blessings and increase in our lives - it could be more because God owns everything you have, we are just stewards. If we would go deeper in our teaching, as New Testament believers, we would see that God owns 100% and He may demand for it because He is LORD over all. So 10% is just a minimum acknowledgement of our increase. Based on that understanding, we can give more.
I am of the opinion that Abraham as a spiritual man must have been prompted by the Spirit of God to give that exact percentage. In several places, we saw how Abraham had fellowshipped with God and talked with Him. We can infer that Abraham saw into the mind of God at that instant and he acted as prompted. Abraham was a spiritual man, giving to God wasn't his problem because the same man almost sacrificed his son to God. One thing you won't find a man that is sold-out to God doing is to argue about whether to give to God or withhold his possessions from God. The mere fact that we are arguing or disturbed about giving 10% to God is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Even if there's no scriptural or express command about tithing, would it be too much to give 10% of our increase to God (possessor of heaven and earth)?
Your problem with what Pastors are doing with money or the flamboyance that you've seen some Pastors display doesn't discredit this divine principle. I must also state categorically that if you look back on what you give to God, you haven't given at all. Trying to trace the path of your giving in a church/ministry and how your money was spent is a clear sign that your heart hasn't released it and God won't accept such.
MOSAIC TITHING - LAW ERA
Under the Law of Moses, there are three types of tithes:
Levitical tithe - Num18:21, 24: This tithe went to the Levites. It was their income. The Levites weren't doing any secular job so it was necessary for them to have something for upkeep because their families must feed.
Feast tithe (meant to be eaten by the one who brought it) – Deuteronomy 14:22-27: This tithe was referred to as vacation/pilgrimage tithe. The Israelites normally go to a designated place of worship yearly and they were to set aside a tenth of their harvest which was supposed to be eaten in God's presence because it gives God pleasure to do so. (Deuteronomy 14:22-23). It could be converted to money if the place of worship is far because it won't be easy transporting agricultural produce. This is proof that all tithe in the Old Testament weren't farm produce but money was involved as well. They were to buy whatever they desired with it including alcohol. (Deuteronomy 14:26). God mandated this tithing order for vacation.
Justice tithe (Meant to be shared amongst widows, orphans, poor, etc.) Deuteronomy 14:28: This tithe was paid once in three years not every year. Some who argued against tithing thought every tithe that came into the temple was shared with widows, orphans and the poor daily, weekly or monthly, that was not the case, it was once in three years. Does it mean God doesn't care about the widows, orphans and poor? He does and I believe He has other means of blessing them aside the tithe that comes into the temple. Cumulatively, tithing under the Old Testament was 30% and it was mandated by God.
THE CHALLENGE
A New Testament believer cannot follow the tithing principle as stated under the law. That would be putting us into another bondage to the Law of Moses in its entirety.
Romans6:14 made it clear that we are not under the Law of Moses (including tithing as prescribed by the law) but under grace. If you're trying to tithe according to the Mosaic Law, you would have to keep all the 613 laws of Moses. Can anyone keep the law in its entirety? Not at all.
James2:10 made it clear that if you fail in keeping one of the laws, you have failed in all. Read Galatians 3:2-4,10-11. You cannot pay tithe under the terms of Deuteronomy and Malachi, you would have to obey other laws therein without excluding the other though the scripture is instructive because it shows how serious God is on some issues. However, all scriptures remain useful for training in righteousness (2Timothy 3:16-17). However, you should not tithe like they did under Moses.
MELCHIZEDEK - A TYPE OF CHRIST
This man was a mystery concealed in the Old Testament but properly unveiled in the New Testament, why? Let's check what Hebrews said about him:
Hebrews6:19, “[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil, Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.” (AMP)
I want you to note the word ‘rank’ as it was used in that verse. This Melchizedek was a type of Christ in the Old Testament and Abraham was spiritually alert to have recognized Him. In fact, in the time of Abraham, there was no known temple where Melchizedek was presiding because temple worship of ‘Yahweh’ and Levitical ministry didn't start not until after Moses started ministry. If we would look away from Moses and look carefully into the relationship between Melchizedek and Christ, we would have a clearer picture of the relevance of tithing under the dispensation of grace.
The issue of tithing was so important that the first few verses of Hebrews chapter seven was dedicated to explaining the connection between the priesthood and tithing. Abrahamic tithing fore-shadowed the connection between priesthood and tithing. He tithed to Melchizedek (a type of Christ) we tithe to Christ (our High priest). Let's read Hebrews 7:1-10,
“FOR THIS Melchizedek, king of Salem [and] priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave to him a tenth portion of all [the spoil]. He is primarily, as his name when translated indicates, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace. Without [record of] father or mother or ancestral line, neither with beginning of days nor ending of life, but, resembling the Son of God, he continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor. Now observe and consider how great [a personage] this was to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth [the topmost or the pick of the heap] of the spoils. And it is true that those descendants of Levi who are charged with the priestly office are commanded in the Law to take tithes from the people--which means, from their brethren--though these have descended from Abraham. But this person who has not their Levitical ancestry received tithes from Abraham [himself] and blessed him who possessed the promises [of God]. Yet it is beyond all contradiction that it is the lesser person who is blessed by the greater one. Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; while there [in the case of Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives [perpetually]. A person might even say that Levi [the father of the priestly tribe] himself, who received tithes (the tenth), paid tithes through Abraham, For he was still in the loins of his forefather [Abraham] when Melchizedek met him [Abraham].” (AMP)
Let me analyze a few verses here:
Verse 8
8 Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; while there [in the case of Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives [perpetually].
(a) From verse 8, the men who are subject to death that received tithes were the Levites. The generation of Levites that received tithes under the Law of Moses are all dead now. But in the case of Melchizedek (a type of Christ) tithe was received by an eternal being. Likewise, when New Testament believers (you and I)pay our tithes, it is also received by the One that lives forever (CHRIST). We tithe as unto Christ, our new High Priest who cannot die, but lives forever. Revelations 1:18, “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (NLT)
Halleluyah! Christ is alive, my High priest lives forever. So, I don't tithe like those under the Law did - they tithed to priests that died but I am tithing to the Saviour and Bishop of my soul that liveth forever - CHRIST. My tithe is ‘Christ-Centered’ not even ‘Church-Centered, nor Pastor-Centered.
If you tithe this way, you would be blessed for tithing.
WHERE THE BLESSING COMES FROM
Verse 7
7 Yet it is beyond all contradiction that it is the lesser person who is blessed by the greater one. Who is the lesser one? You are the lesser one being referred to here while the greater one is CHRIST. When you pay tithe, you (the lesser one) is blessed by the greater One (CHRIST). You are blessed by Christ (the head of the church) for tithing.
ANY OTHER TITHER AFTER ABRAHAM?
Yes, Jacob tithed. He tithed and tied his tithing to protection and prosperity and he acknowledged the fact that his prosperity came from God- the owner of ALL the earth.
Genesis 28:20-22,“Then Jacob made this vow: ‘If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God. And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.’” (NLT)
Three things we can learn from Jacob's tithing:
A) He tithed for protection
B) He tithed for prosperity
C) He tithed as an act of worship (Similar to that of Abraham's).
The truth is that when you tithe, it is also connected to these things in one way or the other.
HOW CHRIST RECEIVES TITHE
We have established the fact that we ‘tithe unto Christ’ because we are in the dispensation of Christ (grace). Abraham tithed unto Melchizedek (a type of Christ in the Old Testament) but in our dispensation, we tithe to Christ. We cannot see Christ physically for now because we haven't entered into eternity but Christ has designed for Himself how He would receive tithe on earth.
The primary means (though not the only means) through which Christ receives tithe is the local Church.
CAN OTHER MINISTRIES THAT AREN'T CHURCH-BASED RECEIVE TITHE?
YES, they can. IF you are led to pay it there. If you follow our teaching on Abrahamic tithing, you'll see that there was no place where the bible stated where tithe must be paid. In fact, Abraham paid directly to Melchizedek(a priest)not to the temple. In the Law given to Moses, it was the temple. But under Christ, the Church is no longer a denomination/temple per se, but a movement that is advancing the cause of the kingdom. Christ is the Owner of your tithe and He knows where He want it paid for the advancement of HIS KINGDOM and not any man's kingdom.
Most Pastors or Church Overseers may not agree with me on this point because they were trained to believe that tithe must come to the church but there's no place under the New Covenant where such was stated. If the ministry a Pastor oversees can receive tithe, what stops the ministry of an Evangelist, Prophet, Apostle and teacher from receiving tithe?
Some may argue that they aren't feeding the flock or nurturing the flock of Christ. Well, I'll be surprised if that's the rationale for such assertion. Let's look at the scriptures for insight:
Ephesians 4:11, “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (NLT)
The bible stated the five-fold ministry gifts Christ gave to the church: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. Reading further, the scripture made it clear they have the same responsibility which is to:
A)Equip God's people
B)Build up the church
Kindly read verse 12 again. You will see that they have the same responsibility but they do it in different capacities but under the same LORD. The scriptures didn't state that the responsibility of equipping the saints and building the church is for Pastors alone, it is for ALL in the five-fold ministry though they are doing it in different capacities. Everyone in the five-fold ministry is called by Christ and they are representing CHRIST. If an Apostle (Missionary) is on the mission field, his ministry can receive tithe, likewise the Evangelist who is going about preaching the good news about Christ; the teacher teaching believers insights and revelations into God's word can receive tithe into his ministry, same as the prophet. Tithe is not an exclusive for the Pastoral ministry(Church) but for every ministry called and ordained by Christ because tithe is for Christ- the Man that owns all genuine ministries. All ministries founded by Christ and commissioned by CHRIST can receive tithe whether it is a church or a para-church ministry. It all depends on where you are led to pay your tithe into.
Under the New covenant, we look at things from the standpoint of the Kingdom, not just a denomination because that's how God sees it. Besides, Christ is the focal point here not any Pastor or Church though He expresses himself primarily through the local Church and other ministries that aren't Church-based but Christ-based.
A FEW STORIES
Pastor Theophilus told me a story that changed my perspective about tithing and since then, it has damaged my ignorance. He went to a Church in Port Harcourt for what we call mission mobilization. He told the congregants about a need in one of the mission fields.
There was a man that gave him the complete cheque for the project. The man told him that was his tithe that he had been saving for months. He said that anytime he wanted to give the tithe in church, the Spirit of God would tell him to keep it. He did that for several months until he met Pastor Theophilus. As he heard him speak, the Spirit of God told him that he should give the tithe he had been saving to fund the mission field project. Religious folks won't be able to handle that because it doesn't align with their theology. But if we would stay true to Christ as the Head of the Church, what the man did was in line because he gave to the work of Christ on that mission field as much as he would give to any cause in his local Church.
How do you think missionaries on the field are doing ministry if not for the tithe and offerings of Churches and individuals?
* * * * * * * *
David Ogunsola is a missionary and Church strategist. God led him to the republic of Chad for missions. When he said yes to God, he had no support or funding from anywhere. He was prepared to go on the journey for Christ but no transport fare. He sat in his church in Uyo, a man walked up to him and told him that God said he should give him his tithe. Now, David didn't tell this man that he was going to Chad for missions but the Spirit of Christ told him. When my brother checked the envelope, it was what he needed for his journey from Nigeria to Chad republic. Who sent Him to Chad? Christ. Who owns the tithe that was given to him? Christ. Who took the glory for his ministry? Christ.
If we are not sensitive to the cause of CHRIST, we would be 'religious tithers' which is what most pastors have made their members to be. Funnily, a Church promised to send him support but they didn't, but CHRIST did. Halleluyah!
In fact, most pastors fail to realize that their Church is both a collection and distribution center for Christ. Churches should be using their tithes for missions and to support the cause of Christ and His Kingdom.
* * * * * * *
The first time someone told me she gave her tithe to support our ministry, I returned it. I felt, that it was 'too sacred' to use for the kind of ministry we do since we don't run a Church because then, my mentality was that tithe was strictly for Churches.
All the while, I thought only Church should receive tithe. Later, the Spirit of God rebuked me and made me realize that the money was not given to me but for the work of Christ that I've been called to do. Since then, we receive whatever anyone gives to our ministry as unto CHRIST but we do not demand for people's tithe, we only ask for donations. Whatever anyone gives, (tithe or free will offering) is between them and God.
At other times, the Spirit of God has led me to send my personal tithe to the mission field or to a minister ministering in rural or interior village. I noticed that any time I obey such leadings, a burden would roll-off my heart. Sometimes, I have had missionaries call back to give testimonies on how the tithe I gave paid certain bills on the mission field. That's what it means for Christ to be glorified.
A WORD OF CAUTION
It is not ethical for a ministry that is not your church or for any minister to demand for your tithe. Aside paying it to your church as a means of worship and support, only CHRIST can direct/instruct you to where you should pay your tithe. Your natural spiritual mindset about tithing should be towards your local Church EXCEPT IF you're led to give it to other Christ-ordained ministries. If a minister puts pressure on you to part with your tithe because he prayed for you or did something for you, he's a fraud.
I have heard of ministers who mandate their mentees to tithe to them. This I see as an excess that makes many preachers look like fraudsters. If God use me in healing you or counseling you, I have no right whatsoever to demand your tithe but IF God lays it in your heart to give it to support my ministry, then it is honorable that way. We must mature in God to a point where we know what God want us to do with money per time.
BEYOND 10 PERCENT
There is a mindset I want you to have about the issue of giving as a New Testament believer. GOD OWNS EVERYTHING YOU HAVE, NOT JUST 10% BUT 100%.
Psalm 24:1,“The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
YOU ARE A STEWARD OF GOD'S BLESSINGS UPON YOUR LIFE. YOU'RE NOT THE OWNER. EVEN IF TITHING IS NOT A NEW TESTAMENT COMMAND AS SOME SAY, IS 10% TOO MUCH FOR GOD?
1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (KJV)
A steward is a person employed to manage another person’s property, especially a large house or estate. We are stewards of whatever God has entrusted into our care (money inclusive). If 10% was required of those under the Old Covenant, more is required from us because we are under the Lordship of Christ. In the Old Testament, they could do whatever they wanted with their money after paying 10% because it was theirs. But in our case, God owns all and can demand whatever He wants even after we pay 10%.
THERE'S MORE TO GIVING THAN TITHING (10%) FOR A NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER - IT COULD BE MORE. IF 10% WAS REQUIRED UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, CHRIST DESERVES MORE.
Psalms 50:9-10,“I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”
There is nothing that is too much to give God. You cannot buy salvation, neither can you pay for it. Christ paid it all. Giving to Christ and His kingdom is just a little way of showing appreciation and acknowledging God.
GIVE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF LOVE AND WORSHIP NOT IN RESPONSE TO COERCION, FORCE OR MANIPULATION.
1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (KJV)
There's a popular saying, that you can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. Giving out of love for God and His kingdom is the best way to give. Lovers don't think of what they'll get in return. A lover thinks more about how to strengthen the bond of love. You don't coerce a lover to give - lovers find themselves giving even when it is not convenient.
Lovers do not respond to coercion, force, threat or manipulation. If a preacher has to use manipulative means to get you to give, you are not a lover of God. There are many of such manipulations today in churches. It comes with threats and questionable promises/prophecies. How will a preacher say that you must sow a certain seed before you marry or give birth to a child? That's manipulative.
EVERY GIVING HAS A BLESSING IF DONE RIGHTLY, SO NEVER STOP GIVING.
Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever (anything) a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (KJV)
Whatsoever (money, time, love, care) you sow(give), you shall reap it. That's a New Testament scripture for you. In as much we don't encourage people to give solely for blessing, the truth is that whenever we give, there is a blessing that follows. A giver operates in a dimension of blessing that is unique. Pastor E.A.Adeboye told the story of a man that changed the order of tithing from 10% to 90%. The business he started with $500 grew to a net worth of $5,000,000 in five years. That's what can happen to a giver.
YOU CAN GIVE IN RESPONSE TO A NEED OR REQUEST BY YOUR CHURCH OR ANY OTHER MINISTRY YOU'RE AFFILIATED TO, JUST GIVE IN LOVE AND AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP.
Philippians4:15-16,“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.”
The way verse 16 was rendered suggests to me that there was a time in Paul's ministry when he was in need and he requested for support or the Philippian church got to know about his needs. They gave either in response to the request he made or to an observed need.
It is not bad to give in response to a request. Your local church/ any other ministry can make requests. If led and willing, give. It is biblical.
GIVE TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF THE KINGDOM
Zechariah1:17, “Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts: ‘My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.’” (KJV)
Our giving is one of the ways we can advance the frontiers of the kingdom.
It is shameful that we (CHRISTIANS) are debating about what we give to God. Islam is spreading fast because those that are funding it have decided to give till their aims are achieved. If the spread of Christ's kingdom is our goal and the goal of every worship center and ministry, we wouldn't be debating on our giving.
Inasmuch as we all may not have the same persuasion about this matter, the underlining principle is that, whatever we give to GOD (tithe inclusive) is received and blessed by God for His own glory.
GIVE AS LED
Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (NLT)
The life of a New Testament believer is not such that can be bound by rules. We should live as led including our giving.
CONCLUSION
What I have taught so far are my personal convictions on the subject of tithe. I would agree with myself that my thoughts may not be perfect on the subject matter. No preacher knows all, even Apostle Paul who had great insights into mysteries said in 1Corinthians 13:9-10, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
Just like Paul, I am waiting for the appearing of our perfection (Christ) when all things shall be clearer.
May the peace of God be upon His Church. Amen!