This is part three of our Biblical Giving Series.
In this third and final interview with Will Barlow, we’ll spend some focused time looking at Malachi 3 to understand what this passage meant in it’s original context and how it relates to us today. Next we’ll take a look at three myths about Christian giving:
1. Christians are in debt to God.
2. Christians must pay for God’s protection.
3. The gifts of God can be purchased with money.
Lastly, Barlow will share four keys to Christian giving:
- Everything that we have, from our finances to our abilities, are God’s. We are only giving back to God what we have from Him.
- When we give financially, let’s keep in mind the biblical precedent for giving: to support ministers, to support missions work, and to help the poor or those in need (especially among believers).
- As we follow Jesus and the examples of other faithful disciples in the NT, we will develop an attitude of service, which fuels the amount given.
- God works in the financial category to teach us about how to walk with Him.
—— Links ——
- Find out more about Will Barlow on his ministry website: Study Driven Faith
- Check out these other episodes and posts about giving, especially A Biblical Theology of Finance (Craig Blomberg)
- If you’d like to support Restitutio, you can donate here.
- Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments
- Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library
I think the emphasis should be on the poor. A person (pastor??) was bragging about how much money he spent so that these really needy people in a foreign country could have a loud speaker to listen to his tapes and sermons. A great deal of money. No food or medical – just a chance to hear the guy’s sermons. I think he missed the point. From the past and recent history of missions and ministers, I am not so sure we should be giving them money. What a difference it would make if the money was given to the poor around us. I do not think it is scriptural that pastors should live in mansions and drive luxury cars. I get that from the bible. I look at the ministers on t.v. and even the local church. What is their excuse for taking so much if they have a bible to read. Most churches are just a business. You don’t need a large million dollar building to learn about Christ and God. Once again I don’t care if my comment is published. My view is not mainstream but I think I am right. ajc
AJC – I think you make some great points. A large amount of the Biblical emphasis is placed on the poor. It is definitely unfortunate that some pastors abuse their responsibility and authority. However, the Bible is clear that genuine ministers of God have every right to be supported. I agree that there is much waste in the field of church finances, but I think that is for God to sort out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Will
I think perhaps real ministers of God are few. Or I just picked the wrong churches. I remember when I was so happy when I met someone who believed and knew of Christ. It is not that way now. It is all about doctrine and denomination. There is just division etc. I like Sean’s teachings and Brother Kel from trinity delusion and Robert Whitelaw. It is so nice to hear someone talk about knowing Christ and answered prayer. I know we need to support pastors but I think some things about the church system takes you away from Jesus and puts your eyes and thoughts somewhere else. Thank you for the nice reply. And thank you Sean for being so kind.
You make some good points about the verses in Malachi, however I know experientially that tithing and abundant sharing are beneficial. I agree that there are many ways and channels to give and it includes giving of skills and time. I guess the bottom line for me is that we can’t outgive God. He is generous, and we are called to be generous as well.
Hi Kym!
Thanks for your comment! I agree that giving is beneficial. The point that I was trying to make in these interviews is that Biblically, a tithe is not giving 10% of your paycheck to God. A tithe was a meat or crop offering to the Levites in the Temple. Modern preachers have used the terminology of tithing for modern giving, but that’s not Biblical. This is why, for example, Paul does not mention the tithe once in the epistles.
I am 100% for financial giving, and indeed, giving in every category of life. I also think 10% is easy to calculate. But I would also caution that we should not burden the poor, those in third world countries, etc. with the idea that they must give 10% or they aren’t right with God. This wasn’t true, even under the Law when the tithe was in effect.
Thanks again for your comment!
Will
Oh my!
God is not a mafia boss looking for his cut. ~ Will Barlow
Perfect!