The Bible Says...Money! 2

The Bible Says...Money! 2

Brad Reiches

Mar 9 2007 12:06AM

Friday, March 9, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

"What Does the Bible Say About..."

Money:  Part 2*

But I thought that, “tithing” only applied to Old  Testament giving?  As we have seen, this is not the case.  Tithing is specifically mentioned three times in the New Testament.(Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Hebrews 7:2).  Additionally, Jesus specifically affirmed tithing as something that should be done.  Beyond  that, Colossians 1:18 challenges us to place Jesus FIRST, above all else, in EVERYTHING that we do.  Hebrews 15:4 tells us that the Old Testament was written for our instruction.  Jesus told us that He did not come to take away the Law or the prophets, but to fulfill (see Matthew 5:17-20).  Jesus brought clarification, correction and adjustment to many things, but not to tithing.

How can I assure  God’s abundant blessing for me and my family?

#1.  God says, “Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce” (Proverbs 3:9).  A big question among Christians today is whether or not we should tithe based on our gross or net income.  Well, according to the Bible, God is to be honored first, even ahead of the government.  This means we tithe on our gross income.

#2.  God says, “Bring theWHOLE tithe into the storehouse” (see Malachi 3:9).  To assure God’s abundant blessing in the area of finances we must bring the WHOLE tithe.  Not 9%, not a tithe on the net income...but the WHOLE tithe.

In reference to this Nehemiah further states, “The first fruits of all the fruit of every tree to the house of the Lord” (see Nehemiah 10:35, bold mine).  This means that we tithe on ALL income that we receive.  This includes not only the money which we make on our jobs, but things such as inheritances, alimony checks, honorariums, financial gifts and profits made from such things as stocks and the sales of our homes and property.  Tithing on all income literally means that we tithe on all that comes in!

“He who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly;

 and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully..

.for God loves a CHEERFUL GIVER.”

2 Corinthians 9:7-8(caps mine)

To be continued.

*For an in-depth discussion on this subject, please click on:  The Bible Says Series:  Money.