1.  IS TITHING FOR TODAY?

a. Tithing before the Law

1. Abraham (Covenant man). Genesis 14:18-20
2. Jacob (Covenant man). Genesis 28:22

b. Tithing under the Law

• Israel, Mosaic covenant. Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:20-24; 25:32

c. Tithing under Grace

• Jesus confirmed tithing. Tithing was not of the Law, but before the Law.
• Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12

d. If a person does not pay tithes and offerings he is robbing God. The tithe is not yours to give; it already belongs to God. If a person pays tithes only and no offerings, he is not giving anything to God. God is saying “prove me now.” "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:8-10 (NASB)

NOTE: Tithe means one-tenth

2. WHAT ARE SOME PRINCIPLES OF GIVING?

•   Give ourselves to the Lord first. II Corinthians 8:5
• Give willingly. II Corinthians 8:3, 1
• Give cheerfully (hilariously). II Corinthians 9:7
• Give generously, liberally. II Corinthians 8:2; 9:13
• Give proportionately. II Corinthians 9:6, 8:14-15
• Give regularly. I Corinthians 16:1,2
• Give systematically. II Corinthians 9:7
• Give lovingly. II Corinthians 8:24
• Give thankfully. II Corinthians 8:24
• Give as a ministry to the Lord and His saints. II Corinthians 9:12, 13

A LEGAL giver gives because he has to. A LOVING giver gives because he loves to.

Portions of this material were taken from Principles of Church Life by Kevin J. Conner and K.R. “Dick” Iverson, Lesson 13, Page 34. Copyright 1976, Bible Temple, Inc., Portland, Oregon 97213.

ISBN 0-914936-23-9