It is usually said that those with a law mentality give more than those who claim to be 'under grace'. Some think that grace is a cover for selfishness. This cannot be true.
True love gives. A man with an understanding of God's love will naturally give.
It's just that fear can make a man do desperate things. Ministers capitalize on men's fear to milk them of their hard earned money.
No one wants to rob God. Everybody wants to prosper.
Giving is much more than not 'robbing God', it's more than the 'secret of prosperity'. Some give and prosper while others give and get poorer. After all, we are not told that the Biblical widow who gave her mite became an instant millionaire.
What does the New Covenant teach about giving? How do we give in the New Testament? How do we give under grace?
In this article , we'll take a look at just one scripture that makes it clear.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
First and foremost, the amount you give and how you give it depends on you. Give only as you have decided in your heart. It's not ten percent, twenty percent or even hundred percent. It's how much you have decided in your heart to give.
No one has a right to decide for you. You don't decide for others too.
Secondly, New Testament giving is not by compulsion. You have no right to force anyone to give. There is no place for 'forcing someone to prosper'. There are no compulsory levies in the New Testament church.
Thirdly, God loves a cheerful giver not a 'painful' giver. Give until it hurts is not scriptural. If your giving makes you sad, you have given amiss. Do I believe in sacrificial giving? Yes, I do. It ok as long as I am the one making the sacrifice not you 'sacrificing me'.
When pastors use guilt on people it's manipulation. Justification simply means free from guilt. Stop condemning the justified.
We are free to give. When we want to and how we want to. It's a matter of the heart.
God bless you.
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