Giving Outside the Box

It’s one of the most often-asked questions I get, but Holly asked me again this morning and I thought I’d take this opportunity to answer it for others who have the same question she does:

We are to give, although tithe is and old testament rule, we are to in fact give. My concern is where I recommend people send their tithe/giving when they are experiencing such a new found freedom in living a life outside of the organized religion?

My response to Hollly: I find people who are following Jesus have no end of opportunities and desire to give freely and generously to those in need, to those whom God has asked them to support who labor to extend his kingdom to others, and to groups that are doing relief work around the world.

It does take a bit of a shift in thinking to go from putting a gift in an offering every week where I receive the benefits of facility, staff, and fulfilling an obligation, to seeing where Jesus would want you to help be a blessing to others, but once done, the joy of giving is overwhelming.

For those who want more, I wrote an extended article on this topic for BodyLife titled Giving and Generosity in the Relational Church.

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By: Wayne Jacobsen | 2005/07/20 | History | Trackback | Comments [RSS 2.0]

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Dwight Pond

Comment by Dwight Pond | 2005/07/30 at 10:21:00

Here is a thought to consider…

No Old Testament Law was ever diminished with the coming of Jesus. Rather it was moved from the outside in.

For example, ‘Do not commit adultery’ – Old; ‘Do not even look at a woman with lust in your heart’ – New; ‘Do not murder’ – Old; ‘Do not call others fool’ – New.

My sense is that Jesus has abolished the old law and freed us from obligation. He is writing the new laws on our hearts. But the new law is the law of the Spirit and it is not birthed out of obligation or performance to be accepted. Rather it is an opportunity to participate in the Lord’s work.

So, in the area of giving, the Old asked for a tithe. In the new, Jesus asks for everything, a 100%– money, life, resources, time. But he asks us to give from a generous and willing heart.

Practically, what my wife and I have done is created a ‘God Account’. We take a portion of our monthly income and put it into the account. Then as God leads we are free to take from what has been set aside and put it where he directs.

All we own is His. But I tend to consume most of my income on living. If I don’t set some aside, I have nothing to give. If I simply ‘tithe’ to a local church or ministry, I lose the chance to be directed by the HS.

May not be for everyone. But it is working for our family.