Today, we, as His body, worship Jesus in spirit and in truth (John 4:23,24), not through the Mosaic law and its intricate system of offerings, firstfruits, first born, sacrifices, rituals, practices, feasts, and observances under a theocracy. Recognizing that this system was valid only until the new covenant, we now focus upon Jesus Christ and rejoice in His magnificent work on the cross. Our focus is not upon obedience to the rituals of the Mosaic Law, but it is upon the person of Jesus Christ Himself—as His disciples, i.e., learners, imitators and supporters of Jesus, our teacher, and Him crucified.
NEW TESTAMENT GIVING
New Testament giving is based on 2 Corinthians 9.
2 Corinthians 9:1-15Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting.5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.9 As it is written: 1 “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians chapters 8-9, and 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 state that a Christian is to evaluate the needs of others and to give as he is able to. No percentage guidelines are ever given! The Apostle Paul had ample opportunity to use the word "tithe" or at least mandate it as a standard to be preserved, but instead Paul gives us new rules for giving, which would supersede the Old Testament law for giving. If there is any single verse in the New Testament that nullifies the "tithing in the Church age" doctrine, it would be 2 Cor. 9:7, which says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
Another principal of financial prosperity is to be a lender, not a borrower according to Deuteronomy 28:12. ( We a only take the blessings; we've been redeemed from the curses.)
Deuteronomy 28:1212 “The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
Still another Biblical principal is to leave an inheritance to your children. This is found in Proverbs 13:22.
Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Lending to the poor is blessed by God according to Scripture, and financial prosperity is a promise of God.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Deuteronomy 28:4-10 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. 7 “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.8 “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.9 “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.10 “Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you.
God does not have a problem with you having financial prosperity, but financial prosperity not having you. All throughout the Bible there are many scriptures, which talk about finances. God has a plan and purpose for your life. When you find the plan and purpose for your life, God will cause you to financially prosper to carry out that plan. All the people in the Bible prospered financially because they were carrying out the plans for their life. The evil also had financial prosperity, but in the end were destroyed. After all, what can you do with many houses; you can only live in one at a time. How many automobiles can you drive, only one at a time?
He has prospered you financially, given you wealth so you can advance His Kingdom here on earth.
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