The average Christian gives so much less than a tithe (10% of their income). Some feel the solution to this is to just hammer the concept home through more preaching about tithing. Yet still people resist and stay way below the 10% giving mark. Some people will report that they are “grace givers”, meaning that since they are saved by grace they are no longer subject to the Biblical law of tithing. It is important to remember that as Christians we have the incredible privilege of having the Spirit of God in our lives, we have experienced the redemptive work of Christ and as American Christians we live in the most prosperous country in the world. This kind of grace could motivate a believer to give way more than 10%, not for this to be the maximum gift.
Unfortunately, some people use the excuse of “grace giving” to exempt themselves from giving completely. If grace giving means you give virtually nothing, it seems that grace means virtually nothing to you. The Old Testament law required people to give in multiple ways and would end up giving much more than 10% of their income. How can we now say that because we are under grace that we should do far less? When studying the giving patterns of the New Testament churches it is clear that their giving did not stop at a 10% tithe. In true “grace giving”, a tithe should be considered the training wheels. It is just there to get God’s people started. The average American Christian should be giving so much more than 10% that they never have to look back at that figure.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Do you think God cares how much money people give to the church or to charitable organizations? After answering, read Philippians 4:18 and 2 Corinthians 9:7 and share your thoughts.
- How does the amount a person gives relate to their salvation?
- Read 2 Corinthians 9:15 What does your giving demonstrate about your thankfulness for what God has done in your life?
- Read I Corinthians 16:1-3. What things do you notice about giving in these verses?
- Read 2 Cor. 8:1-4 What attitudes do you see in these believers, what was their financial situation and what was their motivation to give?
- Talk about some of the reasons it is difficult for you to give to God. Are there any changes you would like to make?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
