Because of my stand against the tithing mandate, many have asked me for bible verses that support Spirit led giving. So I’ve compiled a list of the more obvious bible verses that i believe support Spirit led giving as opposed to tithing. There are definitely other verses that may support Spirit Led giving in an indirect way, but i do not feel that they are as obvious as these bible verses below. I have included a monetary offer at the end to the best one who contributes an additional bible verse on Spirit led giving.
- Galatians 5:18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Um, need i say more? Sure, because there are 10 more bible verses still to write about. - Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, [let us use them]: if prophecy, [let us] [prophesy] in proportion to our faith; or ministry, [let us use it] in [our] ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
This just plainly states that our giving is a Spiritual gift, not an action that is determined by a numerical calculation. - Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, [fn] cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
With this verse in correlation with other spiritual gifts, such as healing, we should see that our freewill, spirit-led giving is a command and is a spiritual gift as well. - Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
It is the law and sin that no longer has the authority and power over our lives, including our giving. - Acts 5:3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself
In this passage Ananias disobeys the Spirit of God and convinces himself into believing a lie that he should keep back part of the price of land. If the Holy Spirit was not responsible for instructing Ananias to give everything, then Ananias had no reason to hide part of the price. The guilty need no accusing. This is why i believe that Spirit led giving is not an easy way out of giving. There are direct consequences for disobeying the instructions of the Holy Spirit. With tithing in the Old Testament, you had some idea of what the consequences of not tithing were. I would think that the worst part about some types of punishments is not knowing what the consequence would be. - 1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Many times we pray and plead for an opportunity to minister our gifts except when it comes time to minister our gifts of giving. It seems that we have the opportunity to bypass the intense pleading and praying part because the ministry of giving is calculated through tithing, not prayer. - Acts 2:44-46
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
This is not a verse that even mentions the Holy Spirit, but can we deny that the leading of the Holy Spirit is not upon them? Can we deny that the worries of possessions and materialism have faded into the gladness and simplicity of their communion? - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 9:7
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us–see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. . . .[So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity[law]; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Yes, this is one of the more vague passages to support Spirit led giving, but in this whole passage about giving, i have underlined 2 phrases to summarize this passage on giving. After Paul’s admonishment on liberality and freewill giving, he states, “I speak not by commandment” and “not of necessity”. These phrases should strike a stake into the heart of all tithing supporters, and should make it clear that no standards or laws are a substitute for the Holy Spirit. - Acts 11:28-30
Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Here we have a man/woman who revealed through the Holy Spirit that a great famine was going to come. And because of what the Holy Spirit had revealed, the early Church was able to prepare relief for those who would be most effected by this famine. The Spirit led gift of giving many times is not so much the ability to give, but more or less the ability for one to see a financial need that should be filled. - Luke 4:1
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
Do we see giving mentioned in here, no. But we do see the Holy Spirit as a leader, and a guide. - John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
I think we need to realize that Holy Spirit isn’t just this being that puts a permanent smile on our face. Many people believe that Spirit led giving is just simply performing the action of being cheerful. This is not the truth. We not only should be Spirit filled with our giving, but also Spirit led. The Holy Spirit is an instructor, and brings revelation for our lives. - 2 Corinthians 9:7
[So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
We need more verses that support Spirit led giving, SO PLEASE ADD SOME SPIRIT LED GIVING VERSES IN THE COMMENTS. I would definitely love old or new testament verses. There are lots of bible verses on giving in the new testament but it’s hard to really pinpoint that a spiritual gift is being used or that the Holy Spirit is guiding someone. So take that into consideration if you wish to add a verse. Also, please add your own little commentary to the verse as well, so i can add your explanation. I don’t want my voice to be the sole interpreter of scripture on this blog. I will send $15 through paypal to the best new verse and explanation of Spirit led giving.
I have been looking up different websites and scriptures about tithing and I do believe that 2 Cor 9:7 has a point that God wants us to give from a cheerful heart, as we should because all we have and every good gift is from Him. I found another site with many more scriptures and examples that really convicted me http://www.kluth.org/church/100generosity.htm from old testament to new testament.
I also think we are called to obedience and it is a discipline to tithe to the Lord what is already His, thus it makes the decision easier. I have seen the Lord work so much through my parents and their conviction to tithe even when our family was in a tight spot financially and it is so worth it to tithe. I believe through life experiences you are truly missing out when you decide not to.
I agree with the Spirit led giving, but the problem is some of the christian or most of the christian are not Spirit led. It’s good to hope and wish that believers are all Spirit led, do you know why? Because for sure the Spirit would convict us more than 10 percent of our income. Faith comes by hearing the word of God, but how can they know about Him without someone who will reach them out??? I’m from the Philippines and I’m a missionary supporter , our church is not rich to tell you, but we love to send missionaries and to support mission. Countless times I just cried to God, where would I get money to send to our missionaries..??? If the people will not give how can the missionaries survive and what will happen to the unreached people group??Salvation is not for us alone my brothers and sisters, When you give…give with all your heart. Anyway, the most important thing is you did your part. Besides, here, we know where our money goes…it goes for the lost souls.Can you imagine our missionaries only receive 70 dollars a month? It’s actually 3000 pesos, just converted it to dollars. With this amount for sure, it will not meet their needs, take note..NEEDS not wants, sad to say that missionaries should have more blessing, but it’s okay God will be the one to bless them..and they are now currently in different countries, places where so much populated by MOslem or Islam and other religions. Anytime they could be killed but they are willing to face that just for the lost souls.Hope you’ll be touched by this.They are called and so they said “YES”. If you wanna look and find what’s the purpose why we offer and give…, try to see our facebook account […]..tanx and God bless us all…
Amen, I wanna begin tithe and I like this last passage ,you are truly missing out on something that only God Almighty can give when you don’t tithe. There’s a such thing in one place as fees and dues. . And we pay. When we tithe we not paying I believe we are obeying. You got your tithes and you got your offering.
in luke 16:16 all the laws of moses and the writings of the phrophets are until john the babtist if this is so the commandments of tithing is change when Jesus came by grace we are giving according to what the spirits of the giver desires as GOD loves a cheerful giver
1 Cor 16:2 (NIV)
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money IN KEEPING WITH YOUR INCOME (caps mine), saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
I believe it to be very clear that our offerings are to be, as the scripture says, ‘in keeping with your income’. Paul was speaking to the church under the power of the Holy Spirit. While many may argue this was referring to a ‘special offering’, I believe it is in line with many other scriptures supporting the amount being determined by our income and what can be afforded. God blesses us so that we in turn will bless others. This is what the church at Corinth was being taught.
Note: No need to send money if this scripture entry is chosen. Please use it to bless another in need. :)
I have never felt as though a tithe should be mandated. While I do be believe that God asks us to give FREELY, and commands us to be generous and help those in need, I do not believe that there is any current commandment that we give up 10% of our income to a church. I am especially put off by a preacher who has gone so far as to claim that God demands a tithe, and that we should feel guilty to not tithe. This one preacher whom I am speaking of also likes to brag about how many new people have joined his church, how big the study groups are, how many times a week his televised sermons play on public access. It seems that there is something fishy going on here, and I cannot attend that church anymore. Tithing is not the law. God demands that we love one another, not to scare people into paying union dues.
I believe that as Christians we should set aside a minimum of 10%. But the Bible does not say that you must give 10% to ‘church’. Although if you are giving to the poor, or a Christian organization, then is that not also part of the body of Christ? I give wherever the Spirit leads me. Sometimes it is directly to my church, sometimes it is a food pantry, sometimes is for missionaries overseas. I think the main idea is to set aside 10% to anything that helps God’s people, the poor or the needy.
how about …col 2:14…14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross……(new covenant)
this cancels out mal3… (old covenant) …
also
hebrews 8:13..13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
so if the first covenant was growing obsolete… (its 2014) by the way)..then how much more is it gone…”vanishing away” today …or shall i say vanished away…
so what do right do we have to order people..(His sheep) to “pay their tithes when its part of the written ordinances that are vanishing away… or vanished away…
these that are nailed to the cross…
not to mention that malachi was to Israel (we are not replacing israel either by the way) Malachi 1:1
The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
also tithing was not money
if one does a close study on old testament tithing …its only money 1 time here is a couple references taken from dr russell kellys …the tithing taboo
1. LIE: The tithe is 10% of gross income.
TRUTH: The holy biblical tithe as used by Moses, Malachi and Jesus was never income because man-made products and services were never tithed. Holy tithes were always only (a) from Old Covenant Israelites, b) never from the Church or Gentiles, c)
food (crops and clean animals) d) from inside God’s holy land of Israel e) which God had miraculously increased. Holy tithes could not come from a) Gentiles, b) outside Israel or c) defiled land inside Israel (i.e. Samaria). 16 texts validate this.
2. LIE: Tithes go far beyond money in the early Bible.
TRUTH: There is not a single holy biblical tithe which goes beyond food from inside Israel. Again, there are 16 texts which validate this –including Leviticus 27:30-34, Malachi 3:10-12 and Matthew 23:23. Abram and Jacob’s tithes were either from Sodom or pagan Syria and were not holy.
i good read on this subject refer to
Tithing: Nailed To The Cross by a bruce wells
can be found on amazon books
follow the link below
http://www.amazon.com/Tithing-Nailed-To-The-Cross/dp/1434306976/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401056386&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=tithing+ordinances+nailed+to+the+cross
shalom
mr.ddt
The Lord showed me many years ago that Jesus came to “Turn the tables”on giving through the new testament “Church”. Before Jesus finished His work during His first coming; He addressed the topic of giving in the temple when He over turned the tables of the money changers. He brought correction and cleansed the temple to put it in order. He said they were making God’s house into a den of robbers. But the leadership of the temple did not listen so God turned to a new group of people. Next we see the new testament church was birthed[spiritual birth] on the day of Pentecost. Then this new group of people began to give their gifts, and they layed there gifts[no mention of tithes]at the feet of the apostals. Then the apostals directed the giving[distributed to each as any had need.So we can see clearly “GOD” TURNED THE TABLE THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. No longer did the leadership misuse the giving and rob the people but correction was made; through the new testament. The BIG QUESTION is.Will we chose to follow their example and take the same steps they took in our giving to God? The example is clear easy to follow. Let’s put the principle in practice. “HOLD THINGS IN COMMON AND MAKE DISTRIBUTION AMONG THE SAINTS” I don’t think God could make it any simpler.Acts2:44;4:32-35;6:1-6 Jewish widows overlooked in needs #7 chosen to govern the giving to make sure distribution was made and no one would be overlooked but everyone receive equal care and concern.
This subject of tithing has gotten out of hand within the body of Christ. Tithing in the Old testament God directed Israel to tithe off of the LAND(not money)and give to the Priests the tenth. Clearly, God did not mention Gentiles to tithe. The Bible is very clear about this subject. Today, we as believers are to give what we have purposed in our hearts without being bullied, forced, coerced, told you are under a curse if you don’t give ten percent, etc. We are to give generously, cheerfully, lovingly, and out of a pure heart that’s led by the Holy Spirit.
How can we put a price on giving when JESUS gave ALL of Himself to save ALL of mankind? Jesus didn’t give 10% of His life; He gave ALL! So let us do what 2Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. When you know the truth, the truth sets you free.
Acts 3
Peter and John go the temple.
A man who say daily at the temple asked for alms.
Peter said, look at us. The man expected alms/charity, but received more.
Peter clearly says silver and gold have I none.
Silver and gold is money.
How dare Peter and John go to church w/o money!
None means, well, none.
Since they had no money, they couldn’t pay tithes?
They gave something better than tithes.They gave Jesus!
Hoe does a church survive w/o tithes? Evangelism from Matt 28.
A- Animal Sacrifice
C- Circumcision
T – Tithes
S – Sabbath keeping
All of these were before the law of Moses. However, Acts 15-25 clearly lays out what Gentiles are to keep and none of these are on the list.
Heb 7, where Abraham is discussed about meeting Melchizedek. Of course Mel has no beginning or ending be he is a Gentile and Jews keep no records of Gentiles.
Jesus lineage is clearly seen in Matt 1 and Luke 1 to show his lineage from David.
Heb 7 shows the superiority of Christ over the Levites.
The words here does not mean here at the church and the word there does not mean in heaven. Here refers to the writers view of Levites receiving tithes and dying and there refers to the story of Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abraham. Instead of here and there, it would be rightfully understood as now and then.
Finally, Exodus 36:1-11 where Moses lights a fire under the Israelite to bring free will offering until the fellow leaders tell the people to stop bringing offerings because they had brought too much. When was the last time you saw that happen?
If one really believes Christians today are bound by tithing they would have to concede that there were actually three tithes required in the Old Testament. The actual mandatory giving was closer to 23% of their goods. Israel’s government was a religious theocracy and the mandatory tithes were required to support their form of government. The New Testament never commands tithing but is based on scriptures such as 2 Cor 9:6-7 which instructs Christians to give purposefully, generously, and cheerfully.
My point is simply that The Holy Spirit should lead and guide the giver. We are saved and not perfect; we do not know what the Lord is working on in each person. However, we feel each person will be Spirit lead and Spirit filled which will guide them in their giving.
We don’t feel a Pastor has the right to know how much you give or hound everyone each Sunday on their giving.
How do you feel about this?
Wefeel the Lord likes a cheerful giver, lead by the Holy Spirit.
Spirit led should always exceed that which was required by the law. Example: you’ve heard it said don’t commit adultery. I say don’t even look at a woman with lust…yet most people who claim Spirit led actually give less than 10%…hmmm. Why is that? Would the Spirit of God lead us to do less than those under the law?
I have another question from this article. In Galatians 5 where grace not being under the law is described, we are also admonished to not sin. Things such as fornication, drunkenness, quarreling and more are mentioned as ‘people not inheriting the Kingdom of God.’ If not tithing was a sin in the Old Testament and so was say fornication. Why are we under grace and able to pick which Old Testament sins no longer apply?
The Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. Greed and selfishness would be the opposite of Spirit-led living. Giving less to have the better lifestyle falls in that category for me. Be Spirit-led, be generous.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven
If you are led by the law, then you’re not Spirit Led either.
I applaud you for exceeding the hundreds of Mosaic laws that Israel was responsible to follow.
I don’t know about you but i like to wear spandex with polyester shirts. Although, I applaud you for not mixing different clothes for your clothing, like Israel was forbidden to do.
And yet, God told the Israelite warriors to give 1/500th of their spoils of war. Those selfish warriors. SHESH!
BTW, Carpenters didn’t give a tithe of their income either, but keep thinking that Spirit led givers are somehow giving less than those selfish carpenters.
It seems you didn’t make an effort to answer my questions just mock me for asking. I’m trying to understand, not argue. I thought this was a forum to learn. I’ll try somewhere else.
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Thessalonians 1:3 ought to nail it.
Matthew 51:7 states that “Do not think that l have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; l have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (NIV). check out the meaning of fulfilling.
l do pay my tithe and l also keep my spititual ears open to hear and to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit in givinh beyond 10% tithe.