No audio file this week.
Recap of 3/28/10:
1. Paul talks about the why, the when, the who, the how, and the how much of giving in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4:
-the why? –to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others especially of believers (Hebrews 13:16; Galatians 6:10; Romans 12:13; and to support full-time church workers (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; Philippians 4:10; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Galatians 6:6-10)
-the when? – every week on the first day of the week, the day the church gathered together
-the who? – everyone, “each one of you”
-the how? – planned, deliberate, not haphazard or under emotional pressure
-the how much? – proportionate to income
2. Is the tithe for today? (tithe meaning “a tenth part”)
-before the law the tithe is only mentioned twice (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). Neither time is it commanded of others
-under the law there was required giving made up of two yearly tithes and a third tithe taken every third year (thus approximately 22-23-1/3% per year) (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-28; Deuteronomy 12:6-17; 14:28-29); and voluntary giving (sacrifices and free-will offerings throughout the year (Deuteronomy 12:6)
-in the New Testament tithing is mentioned only in the gospels (critical of the practice of the religious leaders concerning tithing) and in Hebrews 7:5-8 which isn’t about giving but about the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham and over the Levites.
-it is significant that in places in the Epistles which teach about giving, where a percentage could have been expected, none is given.
