THE BELIEVER’S GIVING

 


Believers are naturally generous. 

People don’t need to be coerced or threatened to give towards God’s work, to God’s people or to anyone in need, if they are truly converted by the Spirit and taught the Scripture. 

The proof of the Spirit of Christ in a man’s heart is godly love. 

The Mosaic law of mandatory tithing should not, in all sense of biblical accuracy and scriptural knowledge, be recklessly and illicitly imposed on the Believer, as an isolated law that is selfishly and dishonestly tweaked, manipulated or used outside biblical context, thus not rightly applied.

The Abrahamic example of incidental tithing may be copied/replicated by an individual as a template of honor giving or gratitude giving but should not necessarily be legislated or slammed on Believers indefinitely. 

Other forms of genuine giving to support the work of the Gospel and those in service of the Kingdom may be personally covenanted between a Believer and God, and are highly encouraged. 

Generous giving from a heart of love for God and people, even giving over and above what may be expected of one who has the means, in order to meet the needs of all and not the greed of some or few, is the New Testament pattern of heartfelt cheerful giving seen in the Early Church. 

Disciplined and committed giving, even as a levied percentage of one’s income as personally determined by mature and responsible Believers in a local church community, is very important and truly recommended to facilitate the physical operations and to also cater to the lives/needs of those ministers who are in dedicated service.

Every genuine giving is pleasing to the Lord.

To Him it is a sweet smelling aroma which He greatly delights, and it simulates His Love. 

The problem is when unconverted people are coerced or cajoled to ‘give to God’ or ‘to pay money to God so He can bless them’.

This is usually done by deploying underhanded techniques and unwholesome tactics of fear, tricks, lies, manipulation, dishonesty, deception, twisting scripture or any such ungodly means. 

God is not pleased with such awful acts of deceit, and the giving that ensues from them. 

it is dishonest gain and it is scripturally forbidden for the Christian leader/elder/pastor/overseer to be a partaker or promoter of any of these.

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