IS IT PROPER FOR A
BELIEVER TO DESIGNATE GIFTS TO A SPECIFIC WORK OR MINISTRY?
I know that preachers have taught
what they call "storehouse tithing" for generations. The
"storehouse" they refer to is always the church which they happen to
pastor at the time. But this doctrine is entirely contrary to the spirit and
the letter of the New Testament. Believers do not tithe, they give according as
the Lord has prospered them. Our gifts are free, unconstrained, and voluntary.
If our gifts do not flow freely, from a willing and cheerful heart, they are an
abomination to God. This is clearly the doctrine of the New Testament. It takes
but a casual reading of II Corinthians 8 and 9 to see this. We who are free
from the law are not motivated or limited by the old, legal precept of tithing.
It
is obvious that every local church must be supported by the financial
contributions of God's people. And you who are privileged to be members of a
local church where the gospel is preached should make it your primary concern
to support your pastor and the ministry of your local assembly (I Cor. 9:9-14).
But in this place, I refuse to place any constraints upon God's people to give
or do anything. Love for Christ and for the gospel of his grace is the only
constraint upon you. Let that, and that alone, determine what you give or do.
If God does not meet our needs through the generous, voluntary gifts of his
people, we will shut the doors of our building and acknowledge that God is no
longer in the work.
Yet, I hope we
are not so selfish as to limit our generosity to our personal interests. Any
member of this assembly is at perfect liberty to designate any gift he desires
to make to any pastor, evangelist, missionary, church, or ministry which
proclaims the gospel of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ; and I
encourage you to do so. Any believer, anywhere in the world, is welcome to use
this privilege with us. Let our giving be "a matter of bounty".
"God loveth a cheerful giver."