Exodus 35:20 ¶ And all the
congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21 And they came, every one whose heart
stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering
to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and
for the holy garments. 22 And they came,
both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all
jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. 23 And every man, with whom was found blue, and
purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them. 24 Every one that did offer an offering of
silver and brass brought the LORD’S offering: and every man, with whom was found
shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 And all the women
that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they
had spun, both of blue, and of
purple, and of scarlet, and of
fine linen. 26 And all the women whose
heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair. 27 And the rulers
brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the
breastplate; 28 And spice, and oil for
the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a willing
offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to
bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the
hand of Moses.
A willing spirit and a willing heart are emphasized here. As an
application to Christians the essence of Christian service is willingness not
some church or government authority imposing some type of legal requirement.
Nor should there be any guilt or manipulation. The heart is made willing by God
and what God requires comes from the heart of a Christian prepared by God.
Since the tithe is not a part of the instructions given by Paul
let us look at the remarks about Christian giving in the Church Age. First, in
regard to helping other Christians and then beyond that to anyone in need.
2Corinthians 9:6 ¶ But this
I say, He which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap
also bountifully. 7 Every man according
as he purposeth in his heart, so let
him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful
giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work: 9 (As it
is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now
he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed
sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all
bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God. 12
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of
the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration
they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and
for your liberal distribution
unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which
long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be
unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Note that giving in the New Testament when Paul begins his
ministry to we Gentiles is not about supporting a tabernacle or embellishing a
building but about helping those in need, first to the saints as it says in verse 12, and then, as verse 13 says, to all men.
In the age where the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ and God,
indwells all people who believe the Church is the body of Christ, the people
who have faith and believe in Him. The individual Christian is the temple of
the Holy Ghost, where that Spirit, the very mind of God, resides.
1Corinthians 6:19 What?
know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of
God, and ye are not your own?
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