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2 Corinthians 8 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Christians who believe the New Testament has little to say about financial giving have not really studied the Bible intently. Paul refers to giving money as ‘charis’ (or, grace) four times in this chapter. So, we should explore the reasoning behind this choice of language. Why does Paul view giving money as grace?
First, I don’t believe giving should be a commandment in the New Testament. In fact, I agree with those people who defend their lack of giving by stating that the New Testament never gives a tithing amount or percentage. They are exactly right. However, the troubling aspect of this statement is that this type of attitude actually exposes the heart of such a person. In other words, Jesus didn’t die so that He could get us to follow a bunch of rules. That kind of transactional Salvation is found only in the law. If you want to know an exact percentage of tithe, then go back to the Old Testament, but I highly doubt you want to live your life obligated to such a standard when Jesus has come with grace and freedom!
This is why it is unnecessary to provide a commandment for tithing in the New Testament. If you have to command someone to do it, they probably don’t understand grace. Commanding others to give money is called taxation. First-century Jews were very familiar with Roman taxation. So, what happened in the New Testament that changes this mindset? Jesus said if you love me, you will obey my commands. Love came first. The motivation of our love was sparked by grace. Paul agrees.
Now as you excel in everything—faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this grace. 8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.
2 Corinthians 8:7-8 HCSB
The grace of Jesus was given freely without compulsion. Someone who chooses to give financially demonstrates the grace of Jesus working in their heart. Gratitude overflows into generosity and giving becomes something we love to do instead of a tedious chore we feel obligated to do. Consider the fact that Jesus did not give Himself expecting anything back in return. Yes, we obey Him out of love, but the truth is, we could never do anything to “pay Jesus back” for His grace. Grace demonstrates the purest form of love. If we give out of any other motive, we have missed the meaning of grace!
Dear Christians, please stop using the phrase, “Jesus never commanded us to tithe.” Jesus demonstrated with His actions the attitude we should follow with everything in life – financial giving included. How can we be partakers in the grace of Jesus and then selfishly justify our lack of generosity? The reality is that everything you have belongs to Jesus anyway. If you don’t want to give financially, that is between you and God, but don’t compound the problem by justifying it with Scripture! It only illustrates a misunderstanding of the grace of Jesus.