10 December 2017
Context gives meaning to everything. When we take God's word out of context, it can mean whatever we want it to mean. For instance, the question is, what was in God's mind when He asked the children of Israel to bring tithe?
Let's start from there…
After studying the scripture and doing a few research on this subject, and listening to other people's opinion about it, I have come up with a comprehensive response (though summarily).
(Galatians 3:24-25 KJV)
'But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [24] Wherefore THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after that faith is come, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER'.
Point #1
For example: if I consistently – over an extended period of time – give my little children (like some of us do) 100 naira for snacks in school, but advised that he/she should ensure he gives at least 10 naira also to his/her friend for launch too. Does it mean that after your children have finished University, and are settled in life, they should continue giving their friends 10 naira? No, they can do more! What you did to them was teaching them to inculcate the habit of giving. You weren't simply teaching them to do something, but to be something.
Point #2:
If I teach my 1 year old child how to lift his/her leg to walk, does it mean that when he/she is mature and the bones are strong he should not run? No! What I did was to lay the foundation for a permanent nature which I anticipate for him/her.
Trying to even question if we should give to advance the work of God shows that some people do not understand the comprehensive agenda of God for humanity. The work of God is to transform lives through eternal civilization! See, God means well, He has a better view to life, and we should learn to see things the way He sees to enable usgain correct perspective to life. That's the idea!
The (general) idea of God for 'tithing, offering, first fruit, burnt offering etc' is to tell us that ALL IS NOT OURS. DON'T FINISH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ON YOURSELF ALONE.
Now, the question is, how should 'tithes, offering etc' be applied?
Malachi 3:10 (paraphrased)
'Bring ye all the tithe into my store house, that my house may be full, and that there MAY BE MEAT ENOUGH IN MY HOUSE…' Does God use money, or eat garri or semovita? No!
The idea of bringing to the store house of God, is because in the house of God we can anticipate fair and equitable sharing as people have needs…!
Check Acts of the Apostle (Acts 4:32-37):
They 'distributed to everyman as they have need…and none was lacking among them…'
Notice something here:
The people who gave didn't give out of a sense of obligation, nor of necessity, they gave willingly from their heart having realised that 'all is not theirs'. And they did more than 10% 😊. Notice, the Bible says 'none thought that anything they had was theirs…'
Apostle Peter, James, John, etc didn't use it to buy fleet of cars, nor build mansions. Bible says, 'distribution was made as every man had need'. Enough meat in the house of God is for people that have need. And needs varies – not just food stuffs. (Acts 4:34-35)
Again, Apostle Paul didn't ask people to bring tithes, he asked them to be READY TO DISTRIBUTE. That's the culture of a grown and blessed children of the Kingdom of God. Giving is a God-culture. Who was Paul telling the rich and blessed people in church to distribute to? Those that have need. He further admonished that those that have substance (money etc) should ABOUND UNTO GOOD WORKS. (1Tim.6:17-19; 2Cor. 9:7-11)
The challenge today is that some Church leaders (covertly or overtly) behave as though they are the only needy people in church. And some of them have even cross the bar and start living in filthy lucre.
What is filthy lucre? It means shameful profit. When you have much than you need, the excess is no more yours. If you insist, that is filthy lucre. (1Peter 5:1-3; 1Tim. 3:1-3, 8)
(Remember that rich fool; Luke 12:16-21). He set target of wealth for himself, and exceeded it. But what did he do? He didn't think of others, he planned to break down the current barns he had and build a new one to accommodate more for himself so he can sit back and enjoy. God said to him; you're a fool…!
My question: should pastor etc live on 'tithes, offering, first fruits etc'? Yes, as they have need as well as other members of the church.
But, here is the point; tithing, first fruit, offering, etc is not enough, BE GENEROUS! THE SCHOOL MASTER'S LESSON WAS ABOUT GENEROSITY. AND IT POINT TO THIS ONE FACT, THAT ALL IS NOT YOURS.
Jesus didn't teach tithe,
– He taught GIVING – GENEROSITY. (Luke 6:38)
– He observed as people gave (Luke 21:1-2)
– He commended on the best giving approach (Luke 21:3-4)
Again, can I percentage my giving? Of course! Budgeting is a universal economic principle. It enhances effective allocation of resources.
Again, another Schoolmaster's lesson from tithing is that giving must be planned. And the best way to plan a finance or resource(s) you don't have physically yet, is to budget. So, you could say; I budget to give every 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 70% etc, of my income for the good of other people – to advance a worthwhile project that advances humanity to the glory of God. Budget helps you to allocate resources effectively.
Must I give it to my Church (local assembly)?
You must not! But here are some reasons you should:
1. You go there everyday to be fed with wisdom and understanding.
2. To most people, they found meaning for their lives since they started Church.
3. You should naturally want to be a responsible member of a family. And church is a family.
4. There are churches that truly distributes to the needs of members, and even other people. You should support that course.
5. Most Pastors are fully and truly immersed in the work of the Lord for the sake of developing people and advancing the society, and this leaves them with no time to cater for their personal needs like every other person. Don't forget, they have the same daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly bills like everyone else. (They don't live in space). Don't you think they have valid needs which must be attended to? Here's Apostle Paul's position on that:
'If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? [12] If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. [13] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. [15] But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void' (1Cor. 9:11-15 KJV) Check other Bible translations too.
My deductions from Apostle Pauls':
– A Pastor may decide, like Paul – not to depend on Church generous giving if he/she has another means of livelihood.
– If a Pastor lives solely on the generosity of members, he is not wrong. Those who work at the temple should live from what comes out of it. Their NEEDS are to be attended to also.
Thank you. I will be disposed to respond to questions should they be any. God bless you.
Ikakke Bassey
Writes from Calabar, Nigeria
