A Cheerful Giver

Leviticus 27:30-31(NIV) "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. 31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it.”

In the many years of annual church Stewardship drives and Sermons, I hear about tithes and offering, but never had the two defined individually. I know that many think that they are different names for the same thing. But I know that there is much confusion, by so many, over this critical meaning, to the body of Believers, the individual church's function, and to God (what the Lord is desiring His children to learn and live by in "giving back" a portion of what He has first given to us; for everything is the Lord's, who created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in it. It is good for us to read Job chapter 38-chapter 41 often, to not take for granted what God gave, and continues to give us, less we forget. God gave; shall we not do like-wise.

Malachi 3:8-10 (NKJV) “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

The Hebrew word for tithe literally means “a tenth”. I didn’t know that! There is no need to apologize for instructing the Brothers & Sisters in Christ of what the Lord says in His holy Word and the reasons behind it, as the intent of the message is to bring knowledge and application of the Word of God. I like to Pastors to speak on such biblical subjects of such great importance, as if I knew nothing of the Ways of God ... like a new Believer, who just came to a "saving" knowledge of Jesus Christ, and knew nothing else, and was hearing this message for the first time, rather than thinking that I grew up in the church and know everything already. Number 1, I didn’t & number 2, I don’t. There is no shame in communicating what the Lord desires and requires, but there is sin in greed and pride. Benjamin Franklin’s quote: “God helps those who help themselves.” does not reflect God’s attributes. Charles Dickens quote: “Charity begins at home.” Doesn’t mean that charity ends at home. The Lord tells us to give. As Peter said in Acts 5:29 “We must obey God and not men.” I want to obey my Maker and Redeemer, Lord God.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

We know that through God's mercy and grace in salvation to the sinner, His loving provision and providence, that we can never out give God. In John 3:16, Jesus tells us the ultimate gift, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” But we are to give out of "natural obedience", meaning because we "want to" give out of our love of God, and the joy of our salvation through. This is what 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 saying. God desires us, as His children, to give, but more, to want to give … to desire from the heart to be a cheerful “giver”. It’s easy to obey a command that we do naturally, with joy knowing that it is for the work of the Lord, anyway. In 1 Samuel 16:7 we read, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NASB) We are not under the law, but under grace, but understand Romans 6:14-16 “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Being a “cheerful giver” is obedience which leads to righteousness … the relationship that I desire. May my thoughts, words and deeds be pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

1 John 3:16-18 (NLT) We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

In Christ,
Brian