CIRCLE OF GRACE IN GIVING

Tithing and giving becomes a duty instead of an act of joyful worship.

FIRST OLD TESTAMENT RECORD

Tithing first appeared in the

Bible when Abraham gave one-tenth of the spoils

of war to Melchizedek, the

priest-king of Salem(Gen 14:18-20)

How did they do this?

Lev.27:30-32every tenth of land's produce,

grain from soil or fruit from

trees.....belongs to the Lord.

Every Jew was required by Levitical law to:

1)tithe for Levites2)tithe for the use of temple and great feasts3)help the poor of the land

Tithing indicated Israel's devotion to

God, and the people did not always give as they should. (Mal 3:8-12) When the people

forsook worship of Yahweh their tithes

went to idols. (Amos 4:4)

It is all about the devotion of

the chosen people of God

II Chron.31:5Israelites GAVE

LIBERALLY of the BEST GRAIN, WINE, OIL, HONEY AND OF ALL THE PRODUCE

OF THE FIELD & BROUGHT AN

ABUNDANT TITHE OF EVERYTHING

II CHRONICLES 31:1-21 Hezekiah destroys idolatry. NAPALAYA SILA SA

KASALANAN NG IDOLATRY KAYA NAGING MALAYA

RIN SILA SA PAGBIBIGAY NG

ABUNDANCE NILA SA DIOS!

NEW TESTAM

ENT

Jesus drew attention on inward attitudes.

He rebuked the people for tithing to smallest grains yet forgetting the more important things.

(Matt 23:23)

He considered stewardship of finances as an indication of

trustworthiness with spiritual things (Luke 16:11), which were

more important (Matt 6:19-20).

There were instructions:1) those who minister are entitled to receive support (1 Cor 9:14)2) the poor and needy should be cared for(1 Cor 16:1; Gal 2:10)3) those who give can trust God as the source of all that is given (2 Cor 9:10), to supply their needs (2 Cor 9:8;Php 4:19);4) and giving should be done with joy (2 Cor 9:7).

THE HIGHER STANDARD:

The example of Christ, who gave

even his life (2 Cor 8:9),

GRACE GIVING...II CORINTHIANS 8:1-

5, 9:8(IN A COVENANT

WAY!)

Macedonian way of giving:• even in SEVERE TRIAL• they had OVERFLOWING JOY• status: EXTREME POVERTY• heart condition: RICH GENEROSITY

• action shown: GAVE AS MUCH AS ABLE, AND EVEN BEYOND ABILITY

• attitude: had INITIATIVE and even PLEADED

The SECRET :They gave themselves

first of all to the Lord,and then by the will

of Godalso to us.

Conclusion:The GRACE OF

GOD IS THE VERY

FOUNDATION AND ROOT OF THIS ATTITUDE

IN GIVING.

I JOHN 5:3LOVE OF GOD GIVES US GRACE TO LOVE

HIM BACK AND FOLLOW HIS

COMMANDS (WHICH ARE NOT

BURDENSOME TOTHOSE WHO LOVE HIM) ...THIS IS GRACE

GIVING!