A Summary of my Recent Thoughts on Giving and 2 Corinthians 8-9

These are simply some thoughts that I organized and did further research on the last couple days. I have been seriously considering this topic for over two years now. If any of you have thoughts on aspects of this that I have missed, please give them. I am especially interested in arguments for tithing that I may have overlooked, since I cannot see any good reason why it is still so dogmatically practiced. I would have thought that if it has as little support as I see, it would have been destroyed by dispensationalism by now. Seeking to grow in Him...
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Thoughts on Giving, with particular attention paid to 2 Corinthians 8-9
Giving: this is a topic which has many facets which must be dealt with biblically and thoroughly; it is without doubt that we must give, but the details are often more difficult to discern. What are we to give? When are we to give? Does God require a particular percentage? Basically, what are the Biblical parameters for the Christian’s giving? In seeking answers to these questions, the Biblical passage that will be dealt with primarily is 2 Corinthians 8-9; this is because this passage is the most comprehensive passage on believers’ giving in the Scripture. Let’s look at seven statements that can be used to summarize the teaching of Paul in these chapters.

Giving is a grace (2 Cor. 8:1, 6, 7, 19; 9:14; Rom. 12:8). Paul makes it very evident that giving can only be done properly be the grace of God. The Macedonians had God’s grace given to them in order that they might give freely to the saints in Jerusalem. Paul then sent Titus to help the Corinthians have this grace completed in them as well. They had the prospered well in many of the other graces, but this one had not yet been completed in them. Thus, if we are to give properly, we must once more remember that it is “all of grace, and all of God.”
Another thought that is connected to this is that giving is a spiritual gift just as preaching, helping, and administering are.

Giving is to be voluntary (2 Cor. 8:3-4, 8, 24; 9:5; Phil. 4:15-16). All the New Testament passages that call for giving, particularly for giving to the church or the minister of God call for a voluntary offering of one’s resources to God. There is never a particular standard set (e.g. 10%) except that one give himself fully to God and give what he is able to give to meet the need at hand. Paul talks of the believer’s duty of giving, but he speaks of it as he speaks of the other Christian duties; it is one that we will fulfill more fully as we draw closer to God. This is closely related to the fact that giving is a grace.
The best argument that I have heard for a tithing system as opposed to the free-will, grace offering is that tithing was pre-Law and thus is universal. This argument however does not seem to be borne out in Scripture. John MacArthur points out that both sacrifices and the Sabbath were also pre-Law but were abolished for the Church. Further, he goes on to show that tithing was a tax based on the fact that Israel was a theocracy: God’s priests were His government officials; they were to be paid by the citizens of the land. While tithing is mentioned in the New Testament (Mt., Lk., and Heb.), it is never in relation to the church. Also, the two pre-Law instances of tithing, Abraham and Jacob, were both one-time events; and Abraham was not even tithing his own possessions. (For more study, read MacArthur’s 2 Corinthians; he has 50 pages on chapters 8 and 9 or his book Whose Money is it Anyways?)

Giving should begin with one’s self before one’s wallet (2 Cor. 8:5; I Sam. 15:22). Not only did the Macedonians give freely of their possessions, but they also surrendered themselves fully to God. This was not exactly what Paul had expected, but it was just what he wanted, for they submitted to God and His will and out of that gave their gift.

Giving is rewarded by God (2 Cor. 8:10; 9:10-11; Phil. 4:17; Lk. 6:38; Acts 20:35). This is the consistent teaching of Scripture. We cannot outgive God, for He will always take care to meet all our needs. He has supplied all that we have including the gift of salvation. But even more than that, He is able to make it so that “You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity.” This point does not need to be belabored for God has promised abundant provision for those who follow his example and give as He gave.

Giving is measured by ability (2 Cor. 8:3, 12; I Cor. 16:2; Acts 11:29; Lk. 21:1-4; Mk. 14:8). Interestingly enough, when one gives according to what he is able rather than a pre-set figure, it will almost inevitably come out to a higher quantity what tithe would. The widow with the two mites gave everything; the Macedonians gave beyond what they were able, and Mary gave almost an entire years wages simply pouring it out on the Master. This is in keeping with the fact that God requires faithfulness from the believer, not results; God brings the increase.

Giving is to be done joyfully (2 Cor. 9:7; Acts 2:45-6). Paul here goes to great lengths to show that we are not to give reluctantly or because we feel obligated to because God loves joyful giving. If we are giving because we will feel guilty if we don’t, have we given Biblically? I don’t think so, according to what this passage says. We must give joyfully.

Giving should meet a real need (Jam. 1:27; 2:15-6; 2 Cor. 8; Acts 2:44-5; 4:37; 9:36; 24:17; Rom. 12:13). This seems to be exceedingly self-evident, but since it came up so much in the study that I was doing, I figured it would be worth mentioning. There are many genuine needs in today’s world. Places to which the Bible speaks of giving include the poor who are not in the church (Lk. 12:33; 19:8; Jn. 13:29; Mt. 6:2-3), the widows and fatherless (Jam. 1:27), a needy believer (Jam. 2:15-16; 2 Cor. 8-9), or servants of Christ (Phil. 4:10-20; I Cor. 9:6-15; I Tim. 5:17-18)

In conclusion, I have come to believe that giving in this Church Age is based upon one’s ability to give. Giving is to be sacrificial and based on the sacrifice of our Lord. If giving is done with guilt or reluctance, it cannot truly be called Christian giving. Further, as we grow in our walk with the Lord, we will give more, for giving is a grace in which we must grow.
One final question for you to think on is this: Why did Paul motivate the Corinthians to give based on the giving of the believers in Macedonia rather than the need of the saints in Jerusalem? Is this not a matter of comparison; why does he not use the emotional appeal of the impoverished saints?