The second passage, which is too lengthy to quote here in its entirety, covers all of 2 Corinthians 8–9 (please, read it!). Using 1 Corinthians 16:2 as a rubric, and appealing to 2 Corinthians 8–9 for support, we can discern five principles of giving from Paul’s instructions in these passages.
Paul writes to the Corinthian church, “On the first day of every week” (1 Corinthians 16:2). There is ample biblical evidence that the early church met weekly, on Sunday (see John 20:26; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 4:9–10; Revelation 1:10). Paul begins his instructions about giving, then, by noting that the Corinthian believers ought to give when they are gathered together on the first day of the week. Such giving would prevent a lack when funds were needed (see 2 Corinthians 8:10–14; 9:3–5).
Of course, in our context, you may not be compensated weekly; but even if you are paid on a biweekly or monthly basis, your giving could still be periodic.
Generous giving is a tangible expression of our love for God.
Paul continues his instructions to the Corinthian believers by writing, “[let] each of you” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Every Christian ought to give since generous giving is a personal response to receiving God’s grace in and through Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 8:1–2, 9; 9:15). God gave his only Son to atone for sin, to reconcile us to him and to provide eternal life to those who would repent and believe in Jesus. Christ came to earth so that we might become eternally rich through faith in him (2 Corinthians 8:9).
God’s grace toward us ought to be a motivation for giving—it is what Jesus appealed to in the parable of the Good Samaritan—and generous giving is a tangible expression of our love for God.
Paul directed the Corinthians, “Put something aside and store it up” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Here Paul is calling for thought and intention in regard to giving. Note that Paul does not make an emotional plea by offering heart-wrenching stories. He does not appeal to guilt, nor does he endorse sporadic, impulsive giving of varying amounts. Rather, Paul calls for planned, thoughtful giving.
In the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul also teaches intentional giving as he refers to giving with a willing mind (2 Corinthians 8:12) and references the gift that the Corinthians had previously promised (2 Corinthians 9:5).
As he continues his exhortation, Paul says each believer should give “as he may prosper” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Later, in 2 Corinthians 8:3, the apostle encourages believers to give “according to their means.” In other words, each person was to give according to what he or she possessed. People with greater wealth could give more than those with less.
In 2 Corinthians 8:12 Paul teaches the importance of having a heart that is ready and willing to give. He writes, “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” Paul does not want believers to give out of a sense of grudging obligation but proportionately, willingly and cheerfully (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). Of course, giving in such a manner is only possible when you understand the gospel and love God more than earthly possessions.
A heart dedicated to Christ cannot help but be generous toward God and his people.
Paul concludes his instructions, “So that there will be no collecting when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Generous giving is a sign of spiritual maturity and sincere love—and here, Paul challenges the Corinthian church to demonstrate the sincerity of their love for their brethren by giving to meet their material needs. In 2 Corinthians 8:7–8 the apostle encourages the church to abound in the grace of giving, just as they abound in faith, speech and knowledge.
Genuine love for God and growth in the Christian life will result in a mature, giving heart. Indeed, a heart dedicated to Christ cannot help but be generous toward God and his people, often (if not usually) leading us to voluntarily give far more than what was required under the Old Testament tithing regulations.
This article originally published on Aug. 2, 2016. It is a modified excerpt from Dr. Jones’ new book, Every Good Thing.
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Dr. Jones is a Professor of Christian Ethics and serves as the Associate Dean of Theological Studies and Director of the Th.M. Program at Southeastern Seminary. He is the author of many books, including Every Good Thing, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics and is the co-author of Health, Wealth, and Happiness. He comments on the Bible over at redeemedmind.com.
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Many thanks for taking the time to address this issue. I've long been of the view you expressed here and believe that most Christians err in applying Scripture because they don't stop and consider the audience to whom the passage is addressed. The covenant one is in determines the relevance and application of a given passage. Christians being in the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant, are not the direct audience for Old Covenant requirements, though those passages are instructive and useful.
comment 2019-03-07 05:45:36You are so right. I just sat here for 30 minutes watching a major ministry using the classic Malachi verses and jump all over the old testament to make their point. I watched and wondered, "can Satan actually warp the normal thinking pattern in a person to delude them into thinking they are right or they know better and use it as a tool to fleece the flock." Thanks for your post. Nice to look something up and find sanity on the web. Mabey I'm not alone!
pingback 2016-12-15 08:41:00I really wish preachers was more forth coming on tithing instead of talking about how much Christians should want to give.. âand give moreâ First off Iâll just say Iâm a very generous person. I have a business and Iâm constantly giving brand new items away and Iv taken people whoâve never had a vacation with me many many many time. I also do the free will offerings. This subject is very touchy for me. Although Iâm considered to be upper middle class now, there was a time when I was struggling single mom. Itâs heartbreaking preachers guilt the poor into giving 10% even though thereâs not a percent in the New Testament. Thereâs no more sacrifice. our sacrifice is Jesus. So thereâs no worry if the poor or humble priest could atone for their sins by having a sacrifice animal provided for them. The subject of first fruits addresses how the tithes goes towards sacrifice more than any other temple needs. And if you are still going by Old Testament then 1) one could say Im going to do exactly as Moses commanded in Deuteronomy 14 and exchange my money for first fruits. So Iâll buy food. 2) They could also ask for a Levi (Aaron descendant to be exact) to collect, because ONLY a Levi can collect first fruits. Moses could only collect free will offering. *Hebrew 7, (New Testament) even says the only reason Abrahams tithes was blessed when giving tithes to Melchizedek is because he was a human form of god. *Lev 27- A tithe is everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees & flock. *The Bible does not instruct the Jews to tithe with silver, to which silver was used like money during Moses Law). Exodus 25 says Free Will offerings are gold, silver and bronze. Plus, you do not have to be Aaronâs descendants to collect. In Mark 12 the widow was making a Free Will offering into the offering plate. Tithes was to be collected at âstorehouseâ *The only time money (silver) is mentioned with tithes is Deuteronomy 14 is when Moses said if your tithes is too heavy to trade it for silver (money) but before you go to the temple you must exchange the silver back into tithe items. *Tithes was used towards daily sacrifice, proving for Levi priest, that lived at the temple. Providing for orphans & widows as well. Every prophet and priest in the Bible lwas not building several homes on the beach or buying big boats. Yes, it is on us if we give to someone who is mishandling the offerings. The Bible says that we are to be wise with our tithes. *Preachers love quoting Malachi 3:8 âYet you rob Godâ and yet they donât quote the next two scriptures. Malachi 3:10 âBring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be FOOD in my houseâ With that said, yes, we should give to our ministry but at the expense of a single mother possibly not having gas money. Nope! Iâve been there and I was told god will provide me with gas. yeah because I borrowed from my mother. Just be forthcoming and say your not bound to a %.
comment 2019-03-07 05:55:52You make some ecellent points of the obvious laying it out as you have here. I never heard this taught like this in Baptist, Non denomination, or Pentecostal churches. Thank you so much. I'm going to do a good refresher on this subject using your post as a guide tool.
comment 2019-02-04 17:59:37No one should tithe in new covernent of our Lord Jesus Christ, unless if you preach other Jesuses. Free will giving is what people should preach. We were never under the law , we were gentiles, sinners living without commant from God. And in Israel they use to tithe once a year. The tithe was not given in the church to the pastors, it was given to the Levitte the high Priest. And was kept in the storehouse not in the house of God. After tithing you and your family was supposed to eat your tithe to that place commanted you to go and gather. Read very well Det 14
comment 2021-06-15 17:11:06Christians are not worshippers of the New Testament.."NO"..We are worshippers of Bible which includes the Old and the New Testaments.. Tithing does not begin in the Laws of Moses.."NO" , it was practiced long time before the Law. The time of Grace in the Old Testament by Abraham and Jacob. Both , Tithing and Free Will offering are both biblical and both have their biblical blessings .It must be taught in our Churches , taught as they are biblical truths ,but not forcing individuals to give as done by the Law observers , yet should be given the freedom of individuals to give. Note. We cannot boxed Christian theological teachings in the New Testament as you have done..because the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.. Christians are people of the "BOOK" which is the Bible which includes The Old and the New Testaments.
pingback 2019-10-20 22:59:41It is interesting to note that there isn't a record of tithing being preached in the church until about 600 years after Christ. I also find it interesting that the tithe was a two party commandment. 11 tribes gave 10 percent to the 12th tribe. The receiving tribe was not allowed to own property. Their inheritance was the Tabernacle. So today, those receiving a tithe have cut out the second part of the commandment when it comes to what they do with the tithe.
comment 2020-07-10 01:39:26I just want to highlight some overstatements here with regards to "1. Giving is to be periodic."There is ample biblical evidence that the early church met weekly, on Sunday (see John 20:26; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 4:9â10; Revelation 1:10). All the above verses have been taken out of contexts to support a wrong narrative that the Lord's Day of Rest is the first day of the week. read those verses carefully, infact read the whole chapters to understand what exactly the underlying subjects are before jumping to make wrong conclusion of what they actually mean.
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