Let's begin this study in prayer...
1 Corinthians 16:1-3Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I [Paul] told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
In our previous study we saw that the purpose for the tithe and
temple tax was for the support of the Levites, priests, upkeep of the
temple and support for the poor of the land. We also saw that in
addition to the tithe and the temple tax, portions of various
offerings such as the Freewill offering were also used to provide
support to the priesthood. However, we also learned that these laws
and regulations were also to teach us of what was yet to come and
hence were shadows of the reality of things. To see this, let us just
review some key points.
I. REVIEW
A. MOSAIC LAWS ARE SHADOWS OF WHAT WAS TO COME
This is provided to us by reading,
Colossians 2:16-17
Hence, we also read,
Hebrews 8:1-6
Now let us continue our reading to find out what this "new"
covenant is all about.
Hebrews 8:10-13
Oh My! Oh My! Oh My!
In addition we also saw that,
B. LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW
To see this, let us reread about the incident of what our Lord
Jesus Christ told the expert in the Mosaic Law when he asked
Jesus which one was the greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:34-40
In other words love fulfills the law,
Galatians 5:14
Now with these glorious truths in mind, let us explore the following,
QUESTION: Are the laws concerning the tithe and temple tax for today?
Well, what we find is that the Christians in the early church did not
believe they were. In fact, let us read the following excerpt from
the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible:
"For several centuries in the early church there was no support
of the clergy by a systematic giving of a tithe. In time the
tithe came to be regarded generally after the pattern in the
Jewish synagogue. The practice was supported by an appeal to
passages like Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:7ff; but
leaders in the church (like Irenaes[142-200] &
Epiphanius[315-403]) showed the argument drawn from these texts
were not valid. Rather freedom in Christian giving was
emphasized."
QUESTION: What led people like Irenaes to such a conclusion?
Since I have not read their teaching on this subject, let us search
the scriptures ourselves and, Lord willing, find out .... OK?
II. THE TEACHING
First of all we must remember that as Christians,
A. WE ARE UNDER A "NEW" COVENANT
Even though we read this at the beginning of this study, it is
so important that it is worth our while to read about it again.
However, this time let us read from,
Hebrews 12:18-21
QUESTION: What is all this in reference to?
Well, in order to find out, let us read from,
Exodus 19:10-25
What we find is that Mount Sinai is a place in the wilderness
where the Israelites came to on their way to the promised land.
However, they arrived here after many transgressions and as a
consequence it was here where they saw a glimpse of God's anger,
i.e. thunder, lightning & thick cloud. It was also the place
where God gave Moses, as a result of their transgressions, the
commandments, i.e. the Law. Now with this background let us
return and reread about the fact that we as Christians did not
come to Mount Sinai,
Hebrews 12:18-21
OK?
Now let us read on and find out exactly where we have come to,
Hebrews 12:22-24
Notice vs 22 We have come to Mount Zion, which was in
the promised land. However, we did not
come to a physical place but to the
heavenly Jerusalem.
23 We have come to God.
24 to Jesus a mediator of a "new" covenant.
And in this "new" covenant we find that now,
B. WE ARE NEW CREATURES
In fact the Bible teaches us that,
1. WE ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
To see this, let us read from,
1 Peter 2:9
and,
2. WE ARE SONS OF GOD
To see this, let us read from,
John 1:10-13
We also find that not only are we a Royal Priesthood and
children of God, but we are also,
3. A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We find this to be true by recognizing that when we are
born again, the Holy Spirit comes and lives inside us.
Hence, we find the following exhortation given through Paul
to remind us of our exalted position,
1 Corinthians 3:16
Oh my! Oh my! Can we really grasp what the Holy Spirit is saying?
In addition to myriads of other privileges and graces, we find
that,
C. THE SONS ARE EXEMPT
To see this, let us read about an incident involving Jesus and
Peter relative to their paying the temple tax. We find this
incident given to us in,
Matthew 17:24-27
Notice that in this incident the issue was not the tax imposed
by Caesar as related in Matthew 22:15-22, but the temple tax
(and also applicable to the tithe).
QUESTION: Does this mean that we are not to help support the
poor or the Lord's ministers?
No! As a Christian we are to walk in love. Remember, the
following command that our Lord Jesus Christ gave us,
John 13:34-35
Hence, with this setting we find the following,
D. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
1. WE ARE TO HELP THE POOR
To see this, let us read from,
James 2:14-26
However, we also find that the Bible teaches us that we are
not to give beyond our means so as to become a burden
ourselves. This is given to us in,
2 Corinthians 8:10-15
Notice vs 12-14
Secondly, we also find that,
2. WE ARE TO MATERIALLY HELP THE LORD'S SERVANTS
To see this, we can begin by reading one of the points that
our Lord Jesus Christ gave to His disciples when He sent
them to minister in His Name.
Matthew 10:10
In fact we find that the Holy Spirit through Paul provides
a similar instruction in,
Galatians 6:6
As we study the scriptures further we find that even though
Paul did not place himself as a burden (or ask support
from) the people that he ministered to, as seen below,
2 Thessalonians 3:7-10
Notice vs 8
This instruction to the Christian community as seen from
the passage in Galatians was far different. In order to
reconcile this apparent contradiction, let us go and read
what is going on. To do this, let us read from,
1 Corinthians 9:3-18
Let us return to these verses and review them in a bit more
depth...OK?
Verses 6-7 are they not to receive support for
their work?
8-11 In other words, isn't this really a Law of
God that we are to provide material
support for His workers?
12(a) In other words when you go to school to
take a course or if you go to anyone in the
secular field for help, you pay for it
don't you? Well, doesn't the same
situation exist for spiritual help also?
And in fact isn't it more so?
12(b) However, so as to not hinder the Gospel,
Paul & Barnabas ministered with their own
funds or resources. They did not want to
have them think that their only interest
was money or prevent anyone from hearing
the Gospel who did were not financially
situated.
but,
13-14 In other words even Paul and Barnabas
acted in this manner, that still did not
relieve the Corinthian church from the
loving responsibility to support God's
servants.
15-18 Paul's attitude.
QUESTION: What is the message of this lesson?
III. THE POINT ... THE MESSAGE OF IT ALL
Well perhaps it is best given to us by reading from the letter to the
Colossians. As we read about the various facets of the Law, remember
to include in it the tithe and temple tax....OK?
Colossians 2:1-3:4
Let's end this study in prayer...
2 Corinthians 9:6-15Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every was so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generousity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obediance that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
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