Christians should give willingly: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). This stands in contrast to giving a tithe in the Old Testament, under the Law, which was "under compulsion."

Table of Contents* The New Testament Expects Giving Willingly Versus Giving a Tithe* God Sees the “Heart Gift” Versus the “Hand Gift”* Giving Willingly in the Old Testament* Jacob Demonstrates Giving Unwillingly* Abraham Demonstrates Giving Willingly* Thankfulness Produces Better Giving Than Law* So Why Give Willingly?

The New Testament Expects Giving Willingly Versus Giving a Tithe

Why doesn’t God command us to give a certain percent? Because He wants us to give willingly out of thankfulness, versus giving out of obligation to a command. Second Corinthians 8 and 9 provide the richest, most detailed teaching on giving in the New Testament. Keep these chapters in mind because we’ll repeatedly draw from them to understand Christian giving.

Paul told the Corinthians, “See that you excel in everything [and that would include giving]. I say this not as a command” (2 Corinthians 8:7-8 ESV). This is interesting! Paul was an apostle, which means he had the authority to command his readers to give. We know he wanted them to give because that was the point of this portion of his letter, but right when it sounded like he was about to command them to give, he clarified that he was not doing that. Why? He wanted them to give willingly!

In the next chapter, Paul said,

I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation…let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.”2 Corinthians 9:5, 7

The Corinthian believers promised they would give, but they hadn’t yet because it’s much easier to talk about giving than to actually give. Paul reminded them of their promise by sending Christians ahead to get the gift, but he still wanted it to be a willing gift and not done under obligation. He didn’t want to force the gift out of them. The words “grudging obligation” refer to the conditions when giving. We’re not supposed to give because of external pressure, such as the demands of others. When giving is done this way, it resembles taxation more than worship.

Paul’s words are clear, which is why it’s disappointing when Christian leaders disobey them. We can’t help but think of televangelists and pastors saying almost anything to get people to give. They will guilt, shame, lie, and make ridiculous promises if it helps them obtain one more dollar. They aren’t trying to help people grow in their relationships with the Lord. Instead, they’re motivated by greed and covetousness. Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe said,

During my years of ministry I have endured many offering appeals.