Jesus was not discouraging the practice of giving. He was reminding religious leaders that giving was about more than just money. Giving to God was about a person’s heart. It was one of the many ways a person could offer their lives and dedicate themselves to God.
This sentiment echoes another time Jesus expressed frustration with the practices of the Pharisees and leaders of the law. In Matthew 15:8-9 Jesus says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” More than anything, Jesus is after the hearts of men and women. Financial giving only mattered to God when it was done with a worshipful heart.
There are three pieces to New Testament giving. Giving generously, consistently, and joyfully! Click To Tweet
Tithing and the New Testament Church
As the apostle Paul planted churches around the world, he spoke on the subject of giving. His encouragements on giving moved beyond the “tithe” (or 10%) giving. In fact, there are three pieces to New Testament giving. Giving generously, consistently, and joyfully.
Give Generously
As Paul encouraged the church in the city of Corinth, he shared how generous the Macedonian churches were giving. He says, “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (2 Cor. 8:3). He then follows up his encouragements by saying, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously”(2 Cor. 9:6).
Instead of prescribing a certain amount or percent, the New Testament churches were simply encouraged to give generously. For those wondering, “Where does it say to tithe in the Bible”, you may not find a prescription to “tithe” in the New Testament, but you will find multiple encouragements to “give generously”.
Give Consistently
One goal of giving is to re-orient the giver’s heart to the things of God over the things of this world. It’s a declaration that God is first in our lives, before anything else. In order for this declaration to be effective, one should give consistently.
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he writes, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Cor. 16:2). The church was encouraged to set aside an amount of money to give each week. The goal is not for this to be a new rule every church goer must follow, but a general principle to encourage consistent giving.
Paul also makes a distinction in this verse that the giving should be “in keeping with his income”. Yes, a person should give generously, but those who make more should be encouraged to give more, while those who make less should give less. Based on these verses, giving should be both generous and consistent. But, the manner in which we give also matters.
Give Joyfully
If God desires a person’s heart, then the heart with which a person gives matters. Paul again writes, “ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Paul notes that giving should not be done so “reluctantly” or “under compulsion”. Another version of the text says, “grudgingly”. Instead, the follower of Jesus should joyfully engage in giving.
The joyful giver understands that this earth is not everything. This is why Jesus said, ““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). These givers understand the value of investing in the kingdom of God and the work of the local church.
