Two weeks ago I talked about the ancient ritual of tithing. Honestly, I used to hate to talk about anything financial. I was defensive. But the longer I tithe the more I love to talk about it. Why? Because I believe in it. So I threw caution to the wind and preached my heart out.
This past weekend we had the largest offering in NCC history. Honestly, I'm pretty sensitive about attendance and giving numbers. It's not something we talk about very often. But I think it's important to celebrate this. Preachers don't always get to see "tangible evidence" that they are making a difference because the transformation isn't measurable. It's spiritual. It's invisible. But tithing is measurable. What encouraged me the most is how many new givers we had. So proud of the way NCCers responded to that message.
This past weekend we had the largest offering in NCC history. Honestly, I'm pretty sensitive about attendance and giving numbers. It's not something we talk about very often. But I think it's important to celebrate this. Preachers don't always get to see "tangible evidence" that they are making a difference because the transformation isn't measurable. It's spiritual. It's invisible. But tithing is measurable. What encouraged me the most is how many new givers we had. So proud of the way NCCers responded to that message.
6 Comments:
Wow, that's great.
Mark, can you post your preaching points and verses? For all the "gleners" out there.
Message is available @ http://theaterchurch.com/media
Mark
The sermon, as I understood it, said that because Abram’s (later re-named Abraham) one-time Tithe to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20) came before the “Law of Moses” (using the term in the sense of Acts 15:5), that the Apostle Peter’s declaration in Acts 15:7-11 and James’ in Acts 15:19-21 do not apply.
The trouble with that logic, as I understand it, is that circumcision also came before the “Law of Moses” (using the term in the sense of Acts 15:5). The Covenant of Circumcision arrived in Genesis 17:10, and “Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised.” (Genesis 17:24). Those who argue that the Tithe is applicable to the New Testament Church based on Abrahamic tradition, must argue for circumcision also.
Clearly when the Apostle James, Paul, and Peter as well as “the apostles and elders with the whole church” (Acts 15:22) wrote the following, they had the entire Abrahamic tradition in mind.
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” (Acts 15:28-29)
P.S. All quotes from NIV version from http://www.biblegateway.com/
Clay,
The simple answer is that Jesus never affirmed circumcision. He did affirm the tithe.
If you read Acts, circumcision is essentially revoked as a "spiritual necessity." It's now a circumcision of the heart.
Hope that helps clarify the distinction.
Mark
We have Jesus being circumcised in Luke 2:21 and speaking of circumcision under the law in John 7:21-24. We have Jesus speaking of a tenth in the synoptics in Matthew 23:23 and Luck 11:42.
We have Paul explaining in Romans 3:19 and Galations 5:3, and James in 2:10.
It is much more clear to me to say "the worker deserves his wages (1 Tim 5:18), which includes interns.
I will let you have the last word.
Grace and peace.
Clay,
I'll let the sermon I preach stand on its own two legs :)
The only thing I'd add is that I'm a cheerful tither. Love it. Obviously believe it's biblical. And never met anyone who did it who regretted it. Great starting point for financial stewardship.
Blessings,
Mark
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