James Duff July 20th 2014 ~ to give or not to give, that is the question...

Last week, in my sermon, I talked about how Jesus discipled people. He invited them to follow him and then led them through a process of being his followers, to becoming his friends, then on to family members. He did this by being both highly invitational and highly challenging, constantly inviting the disciples into a deeper more substantive relationship with him. But he also challenged them to represent himself, the Father, and his coming Kingdom well. Today as Christians we are called to make disciples and be discipled, so it makes sense to learn how to do it together from Jesus. As a clear example of this, we have been focusing on Jesus’ invitation and challenge to one of his disciples, Peter, in Matthew 16. This week, I have been challenged by a member of the congregation - and rightfully so. In my excitement, at the 9:30 service I put out a challenge around giving. I made a categorical statement of how much people should give. On listening to the podcast of my sermon, I realized that what I taught around giving was misleading. I was crystal clear on what I think but, on reflection, how much someone should give is not given categorically, according to scripture. I have repented of this misleading mistake I preached and ask for your forgiveness also.Giving is not an easy subject and we can end up being so nebulous in our teaching that people don’t know what to give or how much. Let me try and lay it out as best I can to challenge/help/guide us in our giving. To do this I haven’t just pulled it out of midair like a Pavlich mark, but have gone back to see what the scriptures say. There is nowhere in the NT that categorically backs a teaching that 10% of an income should be given to the church. We definitely have to give but the teaching focuses on generosity and the heart, not on the percentage of a person’s income. The word ‘tithe’ is rarely used in the New Testament and when it is, it seems to be used in a negative way around religious dudes. I don't think God’s people today are required to tithe! But, hang on a minute, we don’t get off that easily! Like everything else in the new covenant (i.e. since Jesus), our grace giving is to go above and beyond the Old Testament requirements of the law. Jesus always cranks up the challenge. Therefore, for God’s people, giving 10 percent should be a beginning point and not be seen as a place to finish or a law to satisfy. Giving should be made with pure motives, in an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Thanks for the challenge; it was made from friendship (invitation within the family of the church). Do you see how discipleship works? I hope I have challenged all who are reading this. Jesus continues to invite and challenge us to lay down our lives to Him as he promises life to the full and glory to Him for eternity. BlessingsJames Duff 1 Breen, M. 3DM Application