Genesis 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
This is a picture of most of the believers, and churches practicing tithing and giving. Before verse 20 in the same chapter, God already had told Jacob that he has a promise for him from his forefathers, verse 14, “all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants”. In Genesis 12:2, Lord God has already promised this to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.” Jacob still wanted security, food and clothing before he actually paid the tithe and an offering to God. This is a clear indication that Jacob was self centered.
In the parable of Pharisees and Tax collector, in Luke 18:12, Pharisee says, “I give tithes of all that I possess” while he compares himself to be better than tax collector. This is self righteousness, a key factor of unrighteousness that God strongly opposes: Pride. That is why Jesus quoted this parable. It’s a picture of giving, out of compulsion and showing oneself righteous which is a deception. It’s a pity that most of the Churches do not even know this truth.
In the new covenant, we always have to look at God, and what was demonstrated through his son Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the following verses.
1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins. (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Romans 5:8 God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)
This is the truth of great giving that is imagined in the universe. There is always love in giving. Giving is the manifestation of Love. And in giving, there is always fulfillment of something for someone not for someone who practices giving out of Love.
This is the reason Jesus rebuked the Pharisee in Matthew 23:23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” The missing were justice—Love, and Faith.
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
If we compare verse 6 and 7, sowing sparingly means: give grudgingly or in compulsion; sowing bountifully means: give cheerfully or in love. The reaping is Love of God, peace, and righteousness(fruits of Spirit). Preachers twist it so much, and create a necessity or emotional pressure-fake faith, giving more earthly materials(money and others), givers(sowers) will reap the same in greater amounts. On the contrary it’s just love in manifestation.
1 Corinthians 13:3-4 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (MSG Bible)
So radical statement, I’m bankrupt without love. I never give if the preacher is sharing some sowing and reaping testimonies. I give only when I feel love of God driving me. I have seen myself meeting the needs of others, when I have practiced this way.
So, let’s practice giving in Love, for God is love. Without love it’s a dead giving, and old testament giving, which will be seen as a great work, but no fruit of righteousness for which we always strive for as a Christian.