The Gift of Giving: Partnering With God

Power In the Blood Assembly
May 27
7 min read

Updated: Jun 11

Listen to The First Cup Podcast below:

PITBA The First Cup PODCAST: The Gift of Giving: Partnering With God

One of the fundamental ways of partnering with God is our giving.

Let us first dispel some myths and popular opinion which in many cases have good reason because of the prevailing behaviors.

The greatest disservice to the body was done with the rise of the word of faith movement which had as one of its pillars an over emphasis on material wealth and financial prosperity that misinterpreted scripture to prove their correction.

In this movement God was relegated to a slot machine or a spiritual godfather whose interest is simply to keep you happy by providing expensive gifts.

This teaching has attracted many wealth without wisdom and riches without relationship.

At the back end many left disappointed because was advertised was not delivered and the prophets of prosperity were left with extreme wealth and lavish lifestyles.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The response to this abuse and evil has taken us to the other extreme where we now have persons debating and with great error long held biblical principles of giving. Let us mind our response because at the wheel of this entire movement, both action and reaction is the agenda to financially strip the church that it cannot fulfill its global mandate of evangelism.

Every belief system has at its core the requirement of giving as a part of their culture.

In Islam, charitable giving is primarily known as Zakat and Sadaqah. Zakat is an obligatory, annual charity, while Sadaqah is voluntary charity that can be given at any time. Both are important for purifying wealth, purifying the soul and supporting those in need.

In Freemasonry giving is required as a duty.

Christianity is no different as received from our parent system Judaism.

Giving is a privilege

1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Giving is built on a purpose

Any giving that is taught without a focus on the kingdom of God is unbiblical. The sole motivation for our giving and the solemn responsibility of teaching giving is that God is honored and the kingdom is strengthened to fulfill its mandates.

Any other motivation is selfish and a scheme.

Giving is a key element of kingdom culture

Jesus taught more about giving and used financial concepts for a great deal of his ministry.

The Kingdom as every other has an economic system that is different in conduct but similar in construct.

Giving is all about the kingdom.

But His context of the teaching on giving was inseparable from the teaching of the kingdom.

If we teach giving without establishing its core intent and motive will be always motivated by personal gain and enrichment.

Giving as an indicator

Giving is one of the hallmarks that provide evidence of the transformation of the hearts of individuals. Acts 2:45, Acts 5:1-11.

The Truth about tithing

The argument against tithing is becoming popular and is affecting not just the ability of the body of Christ in it resources but the ability of the believers to prosper.

Now tithing and giving in general was never initiated and was not continued based on currency. It was always about substance.

Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Today the most available thing is finance but it may not be the most valuable.

Tithing began with Abraham and not under the law.

Genesis 14:17-24 NKJV And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him. [18] Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. [19] And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; [20] And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all. [21] Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself." [22] But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, [23] that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'- [24] except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."

An act of honor
An act of gratitude
An act of faith

As a principle started by Abraham who is the father of faith and of the Jewish nation when God gave them the law he codified it there.

Leviticus 27:30

Due to their failure in adhering to this law because it was under the dispensation of law we read:

Malachi 3:8-10 NKJV

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. [10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Now Jesus comes and initiates the dispensation of grace under which the motivating factor is not codified laws but LOVE.

Everything we now do is a reflection of our heart’s position toward people and God.

So in the book of Acts the manifestation of the love these early believers had for God was demonstrated by their giving regardless of a mandate to do so. Acts 2:45

So Jesus does not address it explicitly but we see an intensified giving that surpasses biblical law.

Giving Principle:

Love for God will always manifest in giving that is based on relationship and not requirement.

Tithes in the New Covenant

Hebrews 7:4-10 NKJV

Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. [5] And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; [6] but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. [7] Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. [8] Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. [9] Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, [10] for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

if it was abolished for the new covenant there will be no need to mention it. But here the context under which it must be conducted is set.
Honor from the inferior to the superior
It is generationally applicable
Tithes is physically done but spiritually registered.
No one is exempted from it.

Why then do we give?

We practice it based on our identity, in obedience to our spiritual lineage but more than that in demonstration of our love for God.

Galatians 3:8-9 NKJV And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." [9] So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Biblical principles of giving are:

Giving is based on relationship not on resources.

Matthew 23:23-24 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. [24] You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Giving is based on revelation not on recognition.

Luke 21:1-4 NIV [1] As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. [2] He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. [3] “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. [4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Giving is based on resolve and not a reaction.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV [7]Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Giving is relational and not religious.

Deuteronomy 16:17 NIV Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

Giving is reflective and not regulated.

Luke 16:10 NIV “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Conclusion

God has given the gift of giving to His kingdom as the economic system by which it is meant to grow.

True giving is a marriage between love for God and love for others.

Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; [10] then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.