Damon Rambo
Puritan Board Sophomore
The Christian is not being disobedient when they do not give. We are commanded to "give whatever we want." (2 Corinthians 9:7) In fact, we are FORBIDDEN to give according to laws and customs (Greek "anagke", referring in this instance to giving according to "laws and customs" {Thayers}).
Do you, therefore, add it all up and make sure that every time you make and offering it is NOT 10%? 9% is OK; 11% is OK; but it better not be 10%. Is that what you are saying?
Nope. I just say "I want to give this much" without thinking of percentages at all. Sometimes special things come up and I say "I want to give 50 bucks to that!"
There is no thought of "percentage" at all.
So how much should we give? I think every time we get paid, we should meditate on what Christ has done for us for about an hour with our paycheck sitting in front of us, and then write a number down on a piece of paper; and give that much.
Is this a practice you have found in the Bible?
Sure; a combination of passages.
2Co 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart..
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
The part about putting your paycheck is not in scripture, but I thought it was a nice touch.
-----Added 11/17/2009 at 12:05:29 EST-----
But 10% can be a good standard to hold us accountable, since left to ourselves we would often give less, right?
No. I think that this is so stigmatized, it cannot HELP but lead to legalism. Any "percentage" system is going to lead to law keeping.