Many writers, scholars, theologians and others have written about, preached and taught tithing. Volumes and volumes of literature have been churned out and continue to be released. The ordinary believer is sometimes left bemused.
Should we tithe or shouldn’t we? To answer, let’s lay some basic foundation. This presentation is aimed at bringing you to full knowledge of all the undergirding principles that will lead you to an informed decision and conclusion.
We shall not be emotional about the issue, but we shall establish a sound biblical basis for the grace of God wherein we stand.
DEVOTION,Erasmus Makarimayi
I have to emphasise that we live in the dispensation of grace. We’re no longer under the law. The old covenant has fallen away and the New Testament was instituted to release us from covenant to promise. The premise of my assignment from God is in part contained in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6. It reads:
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
I am a minister of the New Testament. The law kills. I am not called to teach the law thereby ministering death to you. God has made me an able minister of the New Testament of God that gives life.
For more teachings on the difference between law and grace, please refer to my previous instalments. A believer is redeemed from the curse of the law. Galatians 4:4-5 clarifies, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
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The requirements of the law were met by Jesus Christ. To get the dividends, you and I have to believe in Jesus and we will partake of the promises. You’re not cursed, Jesus took it upon Himself.
Galatians 3:1 states, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
This should lay to rest the fear that God will curse you for not fulfilling the requirements of the law. God didn’t spare His Son to save us. He, therefore, intends to go all the way. His salvation is not piecemeal but eternal.
Hebrews 7:25 points out, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Romans 8:32 puts it thus, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
This is a rhetoric question seeking to help us grasp that God’s plan for our salvation is all encompassing. If salvation is by grace then everything else in our life is by grace. If we didn’t pay God to be saved then we don’t pay Him to live. With His Son, Jesus, God gives us all things freely.
Please note that the Bible says all things and not some things. It further states freely. Please don’t ever depart from this truth.
The natural questions that arise include; why do we go with our money and other resources to church? I will not open this up now because of space. Please think through and let’s pick it up next week. We will look at money and material possessions under grace. I will also undertake an indepth enquiry into the origins and meaning of tithe.
Before the next instalment, I pose the question, do you tithe under grace? Please don’t call me on this one, my answer is coming. Should you wish audience on the subject of grace, my details including my personal mobile number are below.
The requirements of the law were met for you and me by Jesus. Let’s not suffer double jeopardy. Let’s partake fully of the finished work of Jesus. Let’s connect under grace. You’re going somewhere.
●All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. Email: [email protected] Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI. Telephone +263 712 332 632
