Now for a passage that can lead to many errors. We are not under compulsion to give, although many would argue that you should tithe. Ironically, this is now less of an issue within the church than without it, among the left in NZ, where one is expected to make a contribution to the cause. I agree with Daryl on one point: life is more than your property portfolio.
Many people have pointed out that the Greens raised more money than Labour during the last election. What they don’t say is that a huge component of the Greens’ fundraising is that they tithe their MPs. Why don’t Labour do the same? It would solve all of their fundraising problems overnight. It’s far less problematic than a party that represents ‘the workers’ being dependent on the corporate sector. And it would be a great symbol – the caucus could show that they’re MPs because they care about the party, not because its a higher salary than most of them could dream of outside of Parliament, and that they’re committed to its survival, and not just building up their own property portfolios.
Yet Paul does some things you won’t expect. He encourages parochialism: the Greeks (Achaia) have it sorted — the Macedonians have got their moneys together.
The context is that there was a famine in Palestine, and brothers were starving. But then he talks about rewards, and people get this wrong. They think it is about building their property portfolio. It is not.
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
So what is this reward: it is increasing the glory of God. It is bearing witness to his glory. We may not be in the field, but we are supporting those who are: not merely praying (though that is important) but funding them.
What is true is that we will give an account, and that includes for our money. It is better to use what we have to build up others than build up our pension fund or places we rent.
On this issue of tithing, I think that is a guideline for the Israelites, where that tenth paid for the priestly caste and a second tithe and first fruits at certain times for the poor, and the wandering. The way the society was set up was less than efficient — you were commanded to leave some grain for the gleaners, and not stop your ox from eating as he helped separate the wheat from chaff. You were not to exploit others, or be a loan shark. Usury should not exist among believers, as it did not for the people of Israel.
But demanding a tithe is an error. We are to serve God, not work as a tax system. And preaching that giving leads directly to prosperity? A gross error. We need to provide for the needs of our families, and be not a burden on the state or the church. And then, from the surplus we are able to gain, give freely, give willingly, and give for the glory of God.
