GIVING

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“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Lk 6:38

OUTLINE

• Who should I give to?

• How should I give?

• Our experience with giving: Successes

• Our experience with giving: Mistakes

• (Tithing)

Who Should I Give To?

• Those in need Mt 25:35-36 Mt 19:21 Lk 14:13 Lk 18:22 Lk 12:33

• Those who ask me or want to borrow from me Mt 5:42, or steal from me Lk 6:30 or take taxes Mt 22:21(these are usually people in need)

• Enemies Lk 6:32-35 (lend to them without expecting anything back)

Not to:

• Friends, relatives or rich neighbours who will probably repay me Lk 14:12

How Should I Give?

• Generously Lk 6:38 (and I will be rewarded in like measure)

• Freely, not expecting anything in return Lk 6:34-35

• Discreetly, anonymously, not for thanks or praise Mt 6:2-4

• Holy Spirit often gives direction and specifics

NB: I don’t have to give people exactly what they ask for; something else may be more appropriate.

Our Experience with Giving: Successes

1. Using intermediary so as not to affect relationship (West) or to ensure funds used as intended (Africa)Used student’s mother to “launder” cash gift; Alex in Katete

Our Experience with Giving: Successes

2. Small gift with large benefit.Pizza in time; $70 wing mirror (below left)

Our Experience with Giving: Successes

3. Limit extent of giving when no relationship.African children nearby – weekly shopping list (below right)

Our Experience with Giving: Successes

4. Larger giving with relationship (and led by HS).Frederick’s house.

Our Experience with Giving: Mistakes

1. Refusing to giveMozambique – no language, no relationship, hassled, overwhelmedWhen overcharged in Zambia

(Though this one is actually a nice vendor who didn’t overcharge me)

Our Experience with Giving: Mistakes

2. Not imparting essential skills and values along with giftAustralian friends lacking budgetary skills

Our Experience with Giving: Mistakes

3. Giving directly instead of via trusted intermediaryeg Frederick in Zambia

GIVING

Listen to the Holy Spirit

• Does the Holy Spirit want to say anything to me about giving?

• Is there anything in particular God wants me to give? What and how?

HS

Discussion

• Did the Holy Spirit say anything to you?

• Any new or useful concepts in the topic?

• Any queries or sticking points in your mind?

• Do you enjoy giving or find it difficult? If difficult, what are the difficulties?

• Do you have any other giving tips or techniques to share?

Tithing

The Israelites had to take their tithes to “the one place of worship” (ie temple) and eat them there in celebration, and share them with the Levites. If lived far away, convert tithe to cash, buy food at the “one place”, and eat and celebrate with that instead. Deut 12:5-18, 14:22-29

1/10

Tithe Shared with Levites & Priests

• Tithes presented to the Lord by the people were (part of) the Levites’ inheritance from the Lord; and the best tenth of what the Levites received was to be given to the priests. Num 18:20-32

Levites Priest1/10

The Year of the Tithe (every 3rd Year)

• Every third year, the tithe was instead to be stored locally and distributed to the Levites, foreigners, fatherless and widows (ie the landless). Dt 14:28-29

Comments on Tithing

• Primarily for celebration of God’s blessings by feasting; secondly to share with the poor/landless (including Levites).

• Closely linked to system of temple, priests and Levites – most of it not possible if cursed in exile with no temple.

• Jesus endorsed past tithing in the Law, but said nothing about tithing in the future or as part of the new covenant Mt 23:23 Mt 19:16-21

• Jesus taught 100% financial commitment to God via the poor and needy, not 10% via the church.

• No mention of tithing in early church; wasn’t possible after 70 AD.

• Modern tithing introduced by Roman Catholic Church in the 6th century, made Law in much of W Europe by 10th century; still popular.

Google “Eating Sacred Cows: A Closer Look at Tithing” by Graham Carlé; it’s a free download as .PDF file.