How much should I give?
Many pastors teach tithing (giving 10%) and often quote Malachi 3:10 to support it. Others proclaim that tithing is not part of the New Testament teaching. I like the way John MacArthur says it in his article entitled "A Question About Tithing".
"Tithing," are you familiar with the concept of tithing, you know, "Give 10% to the church," you know, that kind of thing? Tithing, basically, is never, ever advocated in the New Testament; it is never taught in the New Testament. Never!
To read the entire article please click on the link below. To prepare, I recommend that you read all of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 before you do.
Here are a few verses to help us now...
Remember this saying, "A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest." Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don't feel sorry that you must give and don't feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. The Scriptures say, "God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right."
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 CEV
As I read this passage it tells me that the decision to give or not to give, as well as how much to give is entirely up to the individual. When I expand my reading to include all of Chapters 8 and 9, I also realize that giving addresses the need, and the attitude in giving, more than how much to give.
Perhaps then, instead of asking how much to give, we should be asking God to show us the need. Without a doubt the church is no different than our own households. As a matter of fact, the church is a household; the household of God. And just like we need a certain amount of money each month to maintain our households, so also the household of God needs a certain amount of money each month to pay the bills, maintain the facility, and continue in ministry.
Will we pray then and ask God to open our eyes and our hearts to the needs of our church? And as He shows us the needs of this ministry let us give cheerfully, and support our church with our prayers, our service, and our finances? Yes, giving includes all three. Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for him and his team (1 Th 5:25 & 2 Th 3:1), and James tells us that faith without works is no faith at all (James 2:18, 26). Jesus said it best, "If you want to be great you must be a servant." In other words, let's follow the example of the Macedonians in Chapter 8 and give ourselves first so that everything else falls into place.
So be encouraged to develop a pray life and pray for the church, check with the deacons to find out what needs to be done and do it, and by all means bring your free-will offering as often as you come. And if you can't come because of work or some other commitment please feel free to mail in your offering.
If you are not a member and would like to support this ministry you are welcome to make a financial contribution as often as you are able. Please make checks or money orders payable to Broadmoor Baptist Church. Our mailing address is in the contact information on the home page.
LINK: John MacArthur's A Question about Tithing - http://www.ondoctrine.com/2mac0050.htm
Thank you and may God prosper you,
Artemio G. Burns, Pastor
Interim Chairman - Stewardship Ministry Team
