Page 33 - Managing Your Resources - Student Syllabus - short combined

Study Section 6: What is GRACE GIVING?

6.1 Connect

The book of Galatians was written to a church where false teachers were adding many rules of the Old
Testament Law to the Gospel of Grace. Paul called it “another gospel.” He calls the Galatian church
“foolish” to believe such false teachings. Yet today, we have the same thing happening in our churches
when it comes to the Old Testament Law of the Tithe. Pastors are preaching tithing from the pulpit, and
laying on their congregations a rule to give 10% of their income to the church.

It is refreshing to know that when Christ came, He kept the Law on our behalf. And in his
death, He fulfilled the Law, satisfying the demands of the law for all believers. He kept the
Law for us who were incapable of keeping it. The veil of the temple was torn in two
signifying that a new and better covenant of promise had come to the church. And in doing so, God
gave us a new way to express our love in our giving. He has clearly defined how, when, and where to
give in multiple passages in the New Testament. Let’s learn what that pattern is and preach it to our
people.

6.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain that the Law of the Old Testament tithe is no longer
the model for the New Testament church.

2. The student should be able to recite several New Testament passages that clearly enunciate
how God wants us to give today.

3. The student should be able to describe George Muller’s life and see he is a great example of a man of
faith in his life and in his giving.

6.3 What is GRACE GIVING?

So what does the NEW TESTAMENT teach us about giving?

The New Testament teaches GRACE GIVING. (The following
information was presented in a sermon by Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian
Fellowship presented September 4, 2013)

As Christ fulfilled the demands of the Old Testament Law, He rent the veil of the temple from top to
bottom. This was a symbol that His death fulfilled the demands of the Law and He ushered in a new
covenant of GRACE to all who believe.

Grace is not a hang-loose, undisciplined sort of living. Nor is grace the balance point between legalism
and licentiousness. Further, grace as a system is totally opposed to legalism and licentiousness, which
are two sides of the same coin.

Legalism and licentiousness both operate on the principle and in the realm of the flesh. Legalism is an
attempt to earn standing before God through human effort and leads to pride or condemnation,
depending on how well you do. Licentiousness casts off all restraints and lives to gratify the flesh.
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