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."