Grace Giving, Learning Biblical Generosity

The context here is an offering being taken for the persecuted, poor saints in Jerusalem. The Corinthian church had undoubtedly begun to receive this offering, and for some reason, their collection halted. The apostle Paul is writing to them in order to encourage them to resume the offering. In doing so, he denotes some principles of giving that ever beleiver must internalize. 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (ESV)

To be good stewards, we must have some guiding principles for managing all that the Lord God has given to each of us. Many have taught that Grace Giving is the New Testament concept for giving to the Lord. I am not arguing with that, but for centuries, the church has taught that tithing is the first step of Grace Giving, which is a good thing. It was the first method used by God to teach His people stewardship. It was the first method God used to finance His Kingdom work among men. It was and is the elemental principle of giving. If the principle of tithing is not settled in your heart and life, you will never move beyond it. Talk of Grace Giving can fill the airwaves, but unless God’s people solidify their belief in tithing, they will never move beyond its essential concepts.