Oh no… he’s talking about money. At church, the audible groans seem louder than the organ when money is the topic of discussion! It’s easy to see why. The world’s greed has crept into the church too many times. Even in Jesus’ day, God’s temple had become a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12, 13).
But the Bible speaks clearly and ordinarily regarding money, and we should listen!
The tithe and offering in our public worship is not a new practice. It’s ordinary. God calls us to do it, and even if he didn’t, we would still want to! The profound reality of what God gave—his own son, Jesus—leads us to desire to give in return as an act of worship. This is before we even know where it’s going! This is that “cheerful heart” from part b below. Here are two questions to devotionally consider today:
Did you know that Christians give money to the church not because humans (leaders) ask it but because God does?
Do you have a “cheerful heart” when giving—if you give at all? What does that mean for you spiritually? Take your budget, your savings, your spending out of it for a moment. Spiritually, do you have a giving cheerful heart?
Think on these things today, and be blessed by God.
CHAPTER 5.B.6 (Ordinary Parts): TITHES AND OFFERINGS
“Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name:
Bring an offering, and come into his courts.”
a. From ancient times tithes and offerings have been made to and received by God (Gen. 4:3-7, 14:20 [Heb. 7:1-9], 28:22). They are a part of the ordinary worship of God, commanded in the Law (Exod. 25:1-9; Lev. 27:30-34; Num. 7, 28, 29; Mal. 3:6-10). Our Lord also taught the importance of returning to God a portion of what one has received (Matt. 5:23-24, 23:23; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 20:25). The Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthians to lay aside their gifts for the saints in Jerusalem on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2). This coincides with the day when the early church met for worship (Acts 20:7).
b. The presentation of tithes and offerings is to be made humbly before God, in singleness of heart. Pride and self-righteousness in giving is to be abhorred (Matt. 6:1-4). Giving must be from a cheerful heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion (Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-35; 2 Cor. 9:7). Giving to God should be done in response and thanksgiving for all He has given to us (2 Cor. 8:9).