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Do You Give in Order to Get?

This morning I came across this headline: "Perry Noble's Church Will Refund Your Tithe if You Don't Get Blessings in 90 Days."  In the article, a U.S. church has challenged its people to give the tithe for three months with a money-back guarantee.  If after 90 days God has not blessed the giver, the church promises to refund every penny "no questions asked."  Since Malachi 3:10 is the text used for this campaign, I can only assume that the blessing promised is material - money or wealth.

Now most people are not crass enough to state this belief as openly as Perry Noble, but I find a great number of Christians seem to have his sense that you give in order to get more.  Is that really the point of our giving in church?  Is the offering some sort of spiritual investment program that guarantees a better return on our money than the banks?

Here are a few random thoughts.
  1. The tithe is Old Testament.  A simple concordance search of the words tithe and tithes returns only seven responses.  The word is only used in the Gospels and the book of Hebrews.  In the Gospels it is always used negatively of the hypocrisy of the religious Jews.  In Hebrews it is used to argue that the Old Covenant has been set aside in favour of the New in Jesus.  The tithe in the Old Testament was a requirement for all Jews, believing and unbelieving.  It amounted to a flat tax to keep the tabernacle/temple work going.
  2. In New Testament giving the amount is voluntary not decreed.   "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2Co 9:7 ESV)
  3. New Testament giving is according to our abundance.  "Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need." (2Co 8:14 ESV) Frankly, most North American Christians who only give a tithe are being miserly with God's gifts.  If God has blessed us with much, He expects us to be good stewards of that money and to use it for his glory rather than hoarding it.
  4. New Testament giving is an act of worship.  "I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." (Phi 4:18 ESV)

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