MORE THAN TITHES
Acts 4:32-37
It has been established in this series that Jesus did not teach the abolition of tithes. He only emphasized that it must be done hand in hand with and not to the neglect of other matters of the law like faith, justice and righteousness. Now we look at the early church. Did they pay tithe? What and how did they pay?
The text today tells us how the early church gave. The first thing noticed in verse 32 is that they were multitude of believers. They have surrendered their lives to Jesus. “They were of one heart and of one soul.” This means they were in unity and accord with one another, living in peace and forgiving fellow believers, following the teachings of the Apostles. When you get to this level of surrender and dedication, earthly possessions take a secondary position in your life. You are no longer possessed by what you have. Rather, you live above them. Your wealth do not control or possess you. Absolutely no. It becomes easy for you to pay tithes and give offerings.
It is no wonder then that the early disciples gave freely without measure. They brought what they had to meet the needs of the church. It was not even about tithe. Several were giving above ten percent. Some brought the whole sum of what they made: For as many as were possessions of lands or houses sold them and brought the PRICES of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet, Acts 4:34-35
They brought the exact amount of what they realized from their sales to church! This is a hundred percent! Definitely far above the ten percent stipulated for tithe. They did not keep a dime back. They brought all and laid them at the apostles’ feet. Only a surrendered life can do this. Beloved, if you are still struggling with tithes and offering, your relationship with God is questionable? Tithing is the minimum. What is ten percent of what you earn compared to what God does for you? If you have to pay for oxygen for a week, you will marvel at the cost. Nothing can be big enough to pay for what God does. If you are still hesitant about giving, we know where your heart is. Learn from this.
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet, Acts 4:36-37.
Our prayer is that God take us all to this higher level of dedication as demonstrated by the giving in the early church.
MEDITATION: The early church paid more than tithes. Why am I still struggling with ordinary tithe?
