April 16, 2006

Giving from the Heart
Genesis 14 : 17- 15:1 (Please read along)

Note: Abraham gave a tithe to the priest of God, but accepted not from the prince of this world. Doesn't ask the evil for help. Our reliance is on God, and God alone. Doesn't want to be beholding to any but Father. Note 15:1 God honors that.

Many people use this passage to prove that Abraham tithed to God before the law was in effect. and therefore the mandatory tithe is still in effect today. They see this as a Pre -law indication that we should tithe?
But lets notice what is going on here and see what principle we can draw from this passage.

First of all let's note that this was a voluntary giving of the tenth portion of the spoils of war . What had happened after this battle was the high priest of God came out and feasted Abraham and honored and blessed Him. Then Abraham gave Melchizedec, prince of Salem, a tenth of the spoils.
(Abraham giving because God had given to Him)

Secondly note that This is the only time that Abraham is seen as doing this and he does it for God's purpose. To draw from this a teaching that pre law mandatory tithing means post law mandatory tithing is a misuse or at least a misunderstanding of the scripture.

Look at Hebrews seven with me for a moment and we will notice a purpose for this tithe and the indication that it was a one time thing.
7:1 -28 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receives them], of whom it is witnessed that he lives. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receives tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
For he testifies, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this [man], because he continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore .
The purpose of this tithe is very plain, To prove to the Hebrews that Jesus, though of the tribe of Judah, an un priestly line, is still able to be the highest priest of all since He is made a high priest after the order of Melchizedec.

An unending priesthood. “The tithe was paid by Abraham, Great Grandfather of Levi, first of the priests of the Law of God, to Melchizedec and in a sense by Levi, who was yet unborn;” says the writer. This shows that the priesthood of Melchizedec is superior to the Levitical priesthood because tithe goes from lesser ones to greater ones.

So do you see the purpose of this?

Now notice if you will verse 4 Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. One tithe one time. Not an ongoing system of giving here.

This was a special thing in God's plan to prepare the way for the priesthood of His own precious son Jesus Christ.

So what about giving today? Are we bound by the law to tithe today?

Let's look at 2 Cor 9:1- and see. 1-12 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as [a matter of] bounty, and not as [of] covetousness.

But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Now he that ministered seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

During the Law God made giving MANDATORY , but now we are challenged to a greater response to God.

Notice what Paul writes under inspiration of God in verse 7: Give:

1. As you purpose in your heart.

2. Not grudgingly or of necessity.

You see we are not under the law any longer. We are under the grace and are not bound by the law at all. Jesus has, according to Col.1:14 "Nailed that law and its ordinances, to the cross 'and notice this please "Taking it out of the way."
Folks, The whole law was removed, the onus of the law is totally gone, the freedom and liberty in Christ is total. If Christ shall make you free you shall be free indeed.

Also If you see this pre law tithe as an indication to tithe then it follows that the pre-law order of circumcision on the 8th day must be in force also. Yet we know better. We are clearly taught that we are Not under law but under grace(Ro 6:14 -15 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.)

Many want a "You must" tithe, but God says it all belong to Him and today Grace giving is a mark of our Love for God. The obligation is a real one, but motivated by love for God.

As I said, this "tithe” was for a special godly reason, to show in later years in Hebrews the superiority of Christ's special Melchisedec priesthood, not Levitical, but far greater than Levitical. This tithing was so that Levi, in the person of Abraham , would give tithe to a greater priest, hence we have a better priesthood in Jesus.

Now Our giving is to be "not of compulsion, but of a willing heart"

The old Testament teaching is that "You tithe and God opens the windows of heaven" That means He sends the early and latter rains needed for harvest. But under Grace we are told that God in Christ has freely given us all things that pertain to LIFE and to godliness, Now our Giving is a response to His love, we love Him because He first loved us. Am I saying that the tithing law is gone?

Yes, am I saying that you don't have to give Yes, am I saying that your giving is a mark of your loving God? Yes.

You see the obligation is greater than under the old Testament law.

Our giving is NOT UNDER COMPULSION, BUT OF A WILLING HEART.

But pastor, if you teach that tithing isn't part of a grace system people won't give. No, they won't if they don't love God. But its a funny thing that those who seek first God's kingdom have no trouble giving at all.

It is a mark, says Paul, of your love for Christ.

Yes but what about how much should we give?

I'm glad you asked: Look at what Paul said in 1 Cor. Chapter 16

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

So you see there is an indication here of where to begin. Begin by asking yourself,

"How has God prospered?

Has He met my needs in this job?

How much can I afford?

How much am I willing to give Him?

How much do I really love Him and His work?

How much do I spend on fun and recreation?

Can I afford to give more?

Are my Bills paid? Am I selfish in keeping back from God?

All of these questions you will have to answer. But notice that God is concerned with your giving.

It’s the widow's mite thing you see. She gave all she could from her poverty, the rich dude gave a small chunk of his plenty and with whom was God pleased? The one whose heart was in it.

Paul has instructed the church to "Purpose in your heart" what you can and will give. Then be regular in that. The church has weekly and monthly bills and God had supplied them.

Will you make your giving a matter of prayer this week?

Will you be one who gives because of love?

Now I can hear someone say"Ayuh, always asking for money" Well friends, if you want to know this is the first sermon specifically on giving that has come from this pastor in many years, and it is because we are in a passage that deals with it. I hope that you will take it as from the Lord, and notice that Paul wrote in two epistles to Corinth asking for money so we are in good company.

Further than that, I commend the people who give in this church. People who have, without prodding, generally met the financial needs and obligations of the Work of God in this church.

And I only want to encourage you who give to continue, and you who can and haven't to prayerfully seek God's will in that, and those of you who cannot, who have nothing but subsistence, then pray that God will match your desire for giving with the wherewithal to give.

And if you want to give remember verse 8 of 2 Cor 9 “And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

One final thought: If you desire to give to God. He will see to it that you can.

Now think about that amen.