Christian giving according to new testament
In the New Testament, Christian giving is based on the principles of generosity, sacrifice, and obedience to God's commands. Here are some key passages that highlight the importance of giving in the Christian life:
- Giving is a response to God's generosity (2 Corinthians 8:9): Paul writes that God's abundance is the basis for our giving. Since God has given us so much, we should give back to Him and to others.
- Give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7): The Bible emphasizes the importance of giving with a cheerful heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion.
- Give proportionally (1 Corinthians 16:2): Paul encourages believers to give according to their means, not just a fixed amount. This means that those who have more should give more, and those who have less should give less.
- Give to meet needs (Galatians 6:10): Christians are called to give to meet the needs of others, including the poor, the widows, and the orphans.
- Give to support the ministry (1 Corinthians 16:1-4): The early church gave to support the ministry of the apostles and other believers, enabling them to spread the gospel and care for the needs of the church.
- Give with a pure heart (Matthew 6:1-4): Jesus teaches that our giving should be done in secret, without seeking recognition or reward. Our motivation should be to honor God, not to impress others.
- Give as an act of worship (2 Corinthians 9:11): Giving is seen as an act of worship, a way to express our gratitude and love for God.
Some specific practices of giving in the New Testament include:
- Tithing: The practice of giving 10% of one's income to the Lord is mentioned in the Old Testament (Leviticus 27:30-33), but it is not explicitly commanded in the New Testament. However, many Christians see tithing as a way to demonstrate their commitment to God's work.
- Offerings: In addition to tithing, the New Testament mentions various offerings, such as the "firstfruits" offering (James 1:26-27) and the "offering for the saints" (Romans 15:28).
- Sharing with others: The New Testament emphasizes the importance of sharing with others, including the poor, the widows, and the orphans (Galatians 6:10, James 1:27).
- Supporting the ministry: The early church gave to support the ministry of the apostles and other believers, enabling them to spread the gospel and care for the needs of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Philippians 4:15-16).
Overall, Christian giving is about responding to God's generosity with our own generosity, and about using our resources to support the spread of the gospel and the care of others.