Paul Speaks on Our Giving

.....Paul echoed Jesus’ lessons on giving, and especially the need for a proper attitude: "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). We must always be careful to give from a heart of love, whether in giving to God or to man:

....."And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."

(1 Corinthians 13:3)

.....Paul also encouraged each Christian to give ‘as he may prosper,’ which shows that their giving was in proportion to their income (1 Corinthians 16:2). This speaks of a ratio, but is that ratio a tithe?

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.....Tithing was the standard set by Abraham, who had no other guidance than his love for God. Through the law of Moses, God endorsed this gesture as commendable and as a lesson for future generations. The harmony of scripture is found in looking to our relationship with God.

    The law itself ended through Jesus’ death; but after He was raised from the dead, according to the power of an endless life, we may justly apply the principle that "He receives [tithes] of whom it is witnessed that He lives." (Hebrews 7:8,16).

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.....So tithing remains the benchmark, or 'suggested level of giving' (Matthew 5:17). And in that sense, Paul seems to refer to it again:

....."But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

(2 Corinthians 9:6)

.....In order to decide whether a person has sown sparingly or bountifully, some standard must be born in mind. If a person gave less than that standard, they gave sparingly; but if more, than bountifully. We have already discussed the extremes in the cases of very poor or very wealthy givers; but for the average person, under ordinary circumstances, the standard of giving seems still to be the tithe, the understanding that God’s people grew up with. And God blesses those of us who give to Him cheerfully:

....."And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

(2 Corinthians 9:8)