Why We Give

Jesus is the most generous person who ever lived. He left the comforts of heaven, took on human flesh, and gave his life on the cross so that we might live in him. In response to Jesus’ generosity, we are called to be generous. We are called to be generous with our money. (2 Cor 8:7). We are called to steward our possessions. (Job 41:11, Acts 2:45, 4:32). We are called to volunteer our time. Generosity—is a hallmark of the Christian faith.

In the Bible, a tithe is when you give 10 percent of your earnings, produce, or possessions. In the Old Testament, we observe Abraham and Jacob offering a tithe to God in Genesis 14 and 28. The Israelites were commanded to tithe from what they earned and produced during the year (Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:25–28; Deut. 14:22–24; 2 Chron. 31:5–6).

Let's take a look at what the Bible says about tithing. Tithing began in the Old Testament, and like Worship, it is a matter of the heart. 

The two pillars on tithing:

First, the requirement to tithe was made before the Mosaic covenant (Gen. 14; 28; Heb. 7:1). This suggests that the tithe was not abolished in Christ.

Second, Jesus affirmed the continuation of the tithe (Matt. 23:23). Jesus upheld the tithe.

The tithe is a baseline of giving—not a limit.

God also calls you to offer yourself as a living sacrifice to him. 

Check out these words from Paul: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Rom. 12:1).

To offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God is to offer yourself entirely to him. Offering your life to God isn’t something you do one time at the altar or on the days you feel good. Living sacrificially for God is something he calls everyone to do every day.

Paul explains what this means in Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good and perfect will."

Living the Christian life is more than just saying no to anything. 

Living the Christian life is more about living for God.