Some thoughts on giving from 2 Cor 8-9

Last week we looked at 2 Corinthians 8-9 on Sunday morning. As follow up here are some more thoughts about our giving.

Some have asked from time to time about tithing. I have to say up front that the New Testament does not command us to tithe. What it does command is much more profound that than a simple 10% of our blessings. The Bible teaches that all we have is God's. That is to say not just a gift from God, which it is, but it belongs to God. We are called to possess and hold on to our blessings, rather we are called to be good stewards of God's blessings. When we can come to this understanding it changes everything. Now how I spend money and use resources is not dictated by my own desires, but rather by what is best for the Kingdom of God.

The concept of tithing predates the Law. We see the concept in Genesis 14:30; 28:22; and Hebrews 7:4-10 for example. However we must be cautious because there are several practices that predate the Law that are not carried over into the New Testament era. For example we do not practice animal sacrifice, levirate marriage, or the consecration of the firstborn today.

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus spoke about tithing, but He was speaking to a Jewish audience under the Law. Furthermore, His point in the text has to do with their hearts much more than the amount they give. With that in mind lets see what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8-9.

In this text, like most all of the texts in the NT dealing with giving, the background is giving for what we might call missions or charity. It was more than charity though it was a means of showing physically what we believe theologically. We are one body of believers worldwide. Thus when part of the body is hurting, regardless of where they are located, we do what we can to help. In this context the Gentiles were giving to Jewish believers and thus showing their unity. The Jewish people had been the vessel God used to bring about the Messiah and now the Gentiles were being used to supply the needs of persecuted Jewish believers.

Paul uses the example of the Macedonian believers to encourage the believers in Corinth and us today as well. The Macedonians saw giving not a chore or obligation, but as a joy and honor. They give not out of their abundance, but from their poverty. They gave beyond their ability, not because they were commanded or urged to do so, but because they saw it as a grace to do so.

Paul uses several words for the offering in Corinthians epistles. It is the collection (logeia) in 1 Cor. 16:1-2, a blessing (eulogia) in 2 Cor. 9:5, their priestly service (leitourgia) in 2 Cor. 9:12, fellowship (koinonia) in 2 Cor. 8:4 and 9:13, their service or ministry (diakonia) in 2 Cor. 8:4, 9:1, 12, 13, and expression of grace (charis) in 2 Cor. 8, 1, 4, 6, 7, 9. To Paul giving was much more important than simply giving away money. It was a sacred act of worship and a great joy to do so.

When we give it is an act of faith. It is faith that not only that God has provided, but that He will provide in the future. God is concerned about our heats in giving. Not so much about the amount we give, but that we do give sacrificially. Thus Paul says when we give it should be voluntary (8:3) rather than required, it should be willing (8:11, 12) rather than grudgingly, it should be generous (8:2) rather than as little as we think we can get away with and stay in good standing with God, it should be done eagerly (8:7, 8) rather than writing a check wishing you did not have to do so, and it should be overflowing (8:2, 3, 7, 14).

When we teach about giving we do not teach foremost about how it is wise to give because you will get a return as an investor, but we give because it is joyful and worshipful. We do not give as if we are paying our dues to get certain services (as on two occasions older believers have explained to me why they give with the exception of me doing such and such for them).

Perhaps the problem with giving in the church (and there is a problem I grant you) is not so much that we don't ask enough or sell the concept well enough. Perhaps it is not that our buildings, budgets, passions, and vision are not big enough. Perhaps our problem is we have not taught the glorious grace of God well enough. Perhaps we have not taught the glorious joy of helping others well enough. Perhaps we have not taught the awe of God's blessings and being well enough. Perhaps not, you tell me?

So do I preach you need to give 10%, not I don't because I don't see it in the New Testament. What I do teach is much more counter cultural and revolutionary. I teach that God says everything you have is God's and you are only a steward. I teach we are called to live under our means so that we can be generous. I teach that it is a joyful act of worship to give not only to my local congregation in which I serve, but also to those in need around the world.

Does that make sense?