Much current teaching emphasizes giving to support the personnel and operation of the local church and missionaries who spread the Gospel. It must be noted that the primary application of the instructions in these chapters relates to providing assistance to other Christians who have dire material need (8:4, 13-14 9:1, 12). His communication to them provides us with a rich source of truth on the topic of giving.
Their reticence was the occasion for Paul’s gentle but firm exhortation in chapters 8-9 to participate in this offering. Evidently the Corinthian believers were not as responsive as other assemblies. Paul had been encouraging the churches around the Mediterranean to donate to a fund for the purpose of giving relief to suffering Christian brothers and sisters whom Paul knew. The most lengthy and detailed passage in the New Testament on giving is 2 Corinthians 8-9. So the question is, what is “grace giving” and where is it taught in the Bible? A key point in this article series is that tithing fades from view and grace giving comes to the forefront in New Testament Christianity. Many have been taught that tithing (giving 10% of one’s income) is the accepted way to give. Most Christians know that giving of material and financial resources as an offering to God and to support the work of ministry comes with the territory of being a believer. This article will stand somewhat alone, but is best understood within the context of the overall biblical teaching on giving. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4.
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