True Giving
It is the duty of every true Christian to support their Church if they are teaching
them the complete Word of God and standing in the truth.
ìFor it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the
mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care
for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes,
no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in
hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great
thing if we shall reap your carnal things?î 1 Corinthians 9:9-11
Many people outside of Christendom see religious shysters such as Benny
Hinn, Paul Crouch, Robert Tilton, et al as mere snake oil salesman. They
recognize that these men are only looking for money, and since they associate
this with Christianity, they avoid Jesus Christ and the message of salvation
altogether.
ìFor the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles
through youÖî Romans 2:24a
Unfortunately, because of the abuse that supporting the Body of Christ has
been subjected to through the Prosperity Gospel, many Christians see donating
to their Church as a requirement of only 10%. However, giving to the work of the
Lord is something every Christian should do as the Holy Spirit leads.
ìThe New Testament Church has a spirit of giving that goes
along with its total commitment to Christ. There is no set
pattern for giving, but rather, the Holy Spirit leads each
believer individually in what and when to give.î 20In perspective, whenever people go out to a restaurant to eat, they will
generally leave a tip of 15%, which means that people are giving to a waiter or
waitress more than they are giving to the Lord!
In truth, the tithe was not money. It was crops, livestock, etc. It is only the
selfishness of the Apostles of Greed and those with the same mindset, which has
perverted the tithe as established under the Law, into a tenth of a personís
income. As already pointed out, under the leadership of the apostles of the Lord
Jesus, donating a tenth of someoneís income was never addressed.
Many times the Holy Spirit will lead a person to give more than their canal mind
would tell them to give ñ trusting the Lord will fulfill His promise.