The types of giving

The series on giving has been a real blast with in depth teaching going over the character of God (good BTW!), His plans and heart for us as His very own, and the like.

Today we look at the types of giving and the key principles associated with them:

The tithe

The tithe stems from our obedience to the Lord where He calls us to follow His plans, noting that His ways are not the ways of the world and how everyone else does things. Malachi 3 clearly spells out that we are to bring in the whole tithe into His storehouse that there may be food in His house. So, when you think of the tithe, think “Obedience!”

Offerings

When I was growing up, I often heard the phrase, “Tithes and offerings.” I thought of them as one and the same but the Word is clear that they are different things! The offering comes from our hearts with the principle behind it being honour and worship. The books of Numbers and Deuteronomy detail that many types of offerings the people could give and the common theme through it all? Honour + worship. It’s right here that we say, “We don’t have to give . . . we get to.”

Firstfruits

I shared a funny fictional story about someone coming home later than expected only to find that the special dinner that was prepared for them was all eaten bar a few scraps. Gutting! Yet we have done this so many times with regards to the Lord - giving Him our scraps instead of giving Him the best and first of what we have received. We read in Deuteronomy 26 about how the giving of firstfruits was associated with a testimony of the Lord’s goodness. So, when you think of firstfruits, think “Acknowledgement + gratefulness” . . . and it always has a testimony of the Lord’s goodness associated with it.

Alms - giving the those in need

Proverbs 19 clearly describes that when, not if, we give to those in need, it is as if we are lending to the Lord. Giving to those in need should be done without fanfare or publicity - protect the dignity of those you help as per Matthew 6. Furthermore, make sure you do it as we are called to look after the poor, widowed and orphaned. When you think of alms, think “Kindness.”

Sowing seed

This is an amazing and exciting part of giving. It is where the Lord becomes involved in our giving, like giving the Lord an opportunity to do that which only He can do . . . and bring amazing increase. We read in Genesis 26 how Isaac sowed during a time of famine and the Lord brought about a significant harvest, 100-fold in fact! Sowing seed in faith gives the Lord divine opportunity to step into our realm and mulitiply that which is sown.

All of these types of giving are different from each other and not to be confused with each other. Yet they carry the same essence throughout them all - faith, heart and His ways.

Looking forward to next week’s message as we deal to those excuses that arise . . . because I’ve had heaps!