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Finance

What's the skinny on GIVING?


What is a TITHE?

The church's primary communication about giving has been focused on tithing.

Give one-tenth (10%) of one's property or resources to support a religious institution as a response to God for God's blessings. It was done in Israel (Deut. 14) and at the time of Jesus (Matt. 23).

Tithing is one Biblical standard of giving.
 

What other standards of giving are there?

Zacchaeus: a Tax Collector had such a transformational experience he gave HALF of his possessions to the poor and committed to pay back anyone he cheated by giving them FOUR TIMES the amount he originally took. Half & Four. Imagine the increase to the Kingdom of God!

Mark & Luke tell the story of the Widow and her two small coins. The widow gave out of her poverty. What a powerful statement! She had very little, not enough to cover her own needs. So, she gave it all. Imagine giving it all to God.

Sometimes ministry is about stepping out in faith WITHOUT finances in hand. Trust is built as Jesus sends the disciples out in twos and tells them to take nothing with them-no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. (Mark 6)

Acts 2 describes the early church-everyone was filled with awe, signs & wonders were done by the Apostles and all believers were together and had everything in common. Sometimes sharing what we have with the community of faith is what God calls us to do.
 
 
1. Tithing is one Biblical example of giving.
2. At some point, maybe you would be inspired to give HALF & FOUR times the amount you took.
3. Giving out of our poverty means we give everything we've got.
4. Step out in faith WITHOUT all the resources you need. God will provide. (It's what He does)
5. Share what you already have with the community.