Page 25 - Managing Your Resources - Student Syllabus - short combined

Study Section 5: Godly Giving

5.1 Connect

Many preachers today teach their congregations that they need to tithe to God out of
obedience to God’s Word. They tell their people that 10% of everything they make is called
the first fruits and belongs to God. They are informed that the way to give to God is to give
money in the offering at church. They cite many “proof-texts” from the Bible that this is
God’s plan for the church. Of course, most of the texts are all from the Old Testament and
have nothing to do with the church.

So when you are paid some money, have you been faithful to give your tithe of 10% to God? Or have
you been robbing from God (the preacher declares the book of Malachi says that those who do not tithe
are robbing God)?

How would you like to do an in-depth study of God’s Word and find out that God does NOT want us to
tithe? That’s what we are going to do. Let’s find out how God wants us to give to Him today…..

5.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain that the Mosaic Law of the Tithe is actually more than
10% and was an integral part of the Law system in the Old Testament.

2. The student should be able to read EVERY verse in the Bible that mentions the word, “tithe.”

3. The student should be able to explain that the New Testament believer is no longer under the yoke of
the Old Testament LAW, because Christ fulfilled the Law on our behalf.

4. The student should be able to explain that Christ has placed us under a new system of giving called
GRACE.

5.3 Godly Giving

God takes generosity and giving very seriously. We are commanded to take care of those
less fortunate than us. Jesus told us that when we care for those who are less fortunate
than us, we are really caring for Him. When it comes to giving, God promises a special
blessing and a return on investment. We give to God as an expression of our love for Him.
We give to honor Him. We are to give with a joyous heart with thanksgiving for all that He
has done and provided for us.

Are we under the law of the tithe?
Many pastors of churches today teach that believers are commanded to tithe 10% of their income to the
church. For every S10 you receive, you need to give S1 to the church. Most of the time these preachers
use many Old Testament passages like Malachi 3:8-10 and Haggai 2:8 to support their teaching. So is
this teaching applicable for the New Testament church? Has God commanded you to tithe 10% of your
income? And should you tithe 10% of the gross you make, or 10% of the net (after taxes are taken out)?

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