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Aren't there two standards even though we are one in Christ?

 Submitted: 2/21/2008
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Question: Jews before Christ were the chosen nation. God talked to them, God gave them the Law. Gentiles are nothing, no principles, no law (Rom 2). That is what separated the two. Jews are circumcised, Gentiles are not. Jews gave tithes, Gentiles did not. The veil that was rent is one that separated us from God. That is why there is no circmcise and uncircumcise anymore. No Jews nor Greek. We can all now come to God through Christ. Jews even now give tithes, which is the same as Gentiles not giving tithes for our righteousness is in Christ. Obligating Gentiles to tithe is the same as bringing them back in bondage. However, a better system is given by Paul, 'giving and receiving.' Not by minimum requirement of 10% but you can give much more or even lower that 10% as long as freely given. The promise is now for both Jews and Gentiles. You may say I am negative on setting up on how much to give. But I am not negative on giving. Those that sow less will reap less, but those who sow bountiful will sow bountifully. Is giving less that 10% a sin for the Gentiles?
Answer: God has one set of expectations for all people, regardless of whether they are Jews or Gentiles. In the Old Testament, many Gentiles joined up with Israel and became the people of God. Like Ruth, they said, 'Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God' (Ruth 1:16). Today when a Gentile is born again, even though he was an 'alien from the commonwealth of Israel and stranger from the covenants of promise,' in Christ he is
'no longer a stranger and foreigner, but a fellow citizen with the saints and members of the household of God' (Ephesians 2:12, 20). In other words, he becomes a true Jew, being grafted into the natural olive tree. As born again believers we are all 'Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise' regardless of our ethnic background (Galatians 3:29).

We have never said that no one can give more than 10%, only that tithes is God's plan for suppprting the ministry of the local assembly. It is the minimum. But there is no limit with offerings. God's people ought to give as they purpose in the heart, but even if they purpose to give nothing, they should still bring in the tithe. We don't believe this is bondage at all. In fact, we have found it to be liberating!




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