Pros and Cons: Tithing v. Spirit Led Giving

1. Punishments

• Tithing
  Malachi 3:9
  You are cursed with a curse
• Spirit led giving
  Acts 5:1-10
  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.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? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried [him] out, and buried [him].Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

  She said, “Yes, for so much.”

  Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband [are] at the door, and they will carry you out.”

  Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying [her] out, buried [her] by her husband.

• WINNER: Spirit Led Giving

2. Rewards

• Tithing
  Malachi 3:10
  And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you [such] blessing That [there will] not [be room] enough [to receive it].
• Spirit led giving
  2 Corinthians 9:8
  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.
• WINNER: TIE

3. Effectiveness

• Tithing
  Deuteronomy 14:29
  And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who [are] within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
• Spirit led giving
  Acts 4:34
  Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
• WINNER: Spirit Led Giving

4. Cheerfulness

• Tithing
  Matthew 23:23
  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier [matters] of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
• Spirit Led Giving
  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.
• WINNER: Spirit Led Giving

5. New Covenant Commands

Tithing
. . .    . . .     . . .

Spirit Led Giving
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;

WINNER: Spirit Led Giving