Why Christians Give: Law, Grace, and the Bible Perspective

Giving isn't about checking off a religious box or meeting some heavenly quota. It's about responding to God's incredible generosity with a heart full of gratitude and joy. Today, let's walk through what the Bible really says about giving, from the Old Testament foundations to the New Testament freedom we find in Christ.

Where It All Started: The Old Testament Foundation

The story of giving actually begins long before Moses received the law on Mount Sinai. In Genesis 14:20, we see Abraham giving a tenth of his spoils of war to Melchizedek, a priest and king. This wasn't commanded; it was Abraham's voluntary act of worship and gratitude.

"Giving begins in the heart long before it reaches our hands.", David Avritt (CA Jail Outreach)

Later, under the Mosaic Law, tithing became more structured. However, here's something many people don't realize: there wasn't just one tithe, but actually three different ones, each serving a unique purpose.

The First Tithe went to the Levites, the priests, and the religious leaders. Numbers 18:21 tells us this was essential because the tribe of Levi didn't receive land like the other tribes. Instead, they received this tithe to support their work in the tabernacle and temple. It was basically funding the spiritual infrastructure of the nation.

The Second Tithe was for celebration, yes, celebration! Deuteronomy 14:22-27 describes how the Israelites would set aside another 10% to celebrate religious festivals in Jerusalem. They could even convert it to money if the journey were too long. God wanted His people to feast and rejoice in His presence.

The Third Tithe was collected every third year for the purpose of social welfare. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 shows us this was specifically for "the poor, and the fatherless, and the widow." It was God's way of ensuring no one was left behind: a divine safety net for society's most vulnerable.

When you add it all up, faithful Israelites were giving well over 10% when all three tithes were in effect. It was a comprehensive system that covered worship, celebration, and social justice.

The Beautiful Shift to Cheerful Giving

When we turn to the New Testament, something beautiful happens. Jesus mentions tithing in Matthew 23:23, but not to condemn it. Instead, He critiques the Pharisees who were meticulous about tithing herbs while neglecting "judgment, mercy, and faith." His point was clear: the heart behind the action matters more than the action itself.

The early Christian church didn't adopt the Old Testament tithing laws. Instead, they embraced something even better: generous, cheerful giving. The focus shifted from a legalistic percentage to a heart-driven response to God's grace.

Paul gives us the key verse in II Corinthians 9:7 (KJV): "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

This completely changes everything. Giving is no longer a command to obey but a joyful response to experience. It's about personal conviction, not mandated percentages. The amount isn't as significant as the motive behind it.

Throughout the New Testament, we see this principle lived out. The early believers in Acts 4:34-35 sold their possessions and shared with everyone in need. Paul collected offerings from the churches in Macedonia and Corinth for the struggling saints in Jerusalem. It was all about generous hearts responding to God's gracious love.

Do You Miss Out on Blessings If You Don't Tithe?

This is probably one of the most common questions people have, and it often comes from focusing too much on Old Testament law. In Malachi 3:8-10 (KJV), God tells the Israelites they were "robbing" Him by withholding tithes and offerings. He promises to "open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

But remember, we've moved from law to grace. Christ fulfilled the law, and Christians live under a new covenant of grace, not legalistic requirements. The Bible doesn't say it's wrong for Christians not to give 10%. The real question isn't "Am I giving the right percentage?" but "Am I giving with a cheerful heart?"

"God's blessings aren't earned through percentages: they flow from His love and our trust in His provision." : David Avritt (CA Jail Outreach)

God's blessings aren't transactional. They don't depend on hitting some magical percentage. They flow from our relationship with Him and our trust in His provision. The New Testament teaches that God loves a "cheerful giver," not a "compelled giver."

Why Do Some Churches Still Teach 10% Tithing?

This is a fair question that gets to the heart of the difference between Old Testament law and New Testament grace. Many churches continue emphasizing the 10% tithe for several practical reasons.

For some, the 10% figure serves as a helpful baseline: a starting point for generosity that's easy to understand and remember. It provides churches with predictable income for operations, staff, building maintenance, and community outreach.

Other churches teach that, although the New Testament doesn't command 10%, the principle of proportional giving remains valid. They may point to passages like Malachi 3:8-10 as evidence of blessings tied to faithful giving.

Neither approach is wrong: it's about understanding the difference between covenants. The Old Testament law was given specifically to Israel as a complete governmental, social, and religious system. The New Testament introduces a new covenant through Jesus Christ, based on grace and heart transformation rather than legalistic rules.

Why We Still Value the Old Testament

If the Old Testament laws aren't binding for Christians, why do we still read and study them? Great question! The Old Testament isn't just outdated rules: it's the foundation that makes the New Testament make sense.

Here's why it's still incredibly valuable:

It reveals God's character. Through His interactions with humanity, His promises, and even His judgments, we see a holy and just God who also demonstrates incredible mercy, patience, and faithfulness.

It provides the big picture. The Old Testament tells the story of how sin entered the world and created humanity's need for a Savior. It contains hundreds of prophecies about Jesus Christ, detailing His life, death, and purpose. Without this foundation, we wouldn't understand why Jesus was so necessary.

It's full of spiritual lessons. The stories of Israel's triumphs and failures serve as examples for us. Paul himself says in 1 Corinthians 10:11 (KJV) that these events "are written for our admonition." We learn valuable lessons about faith, obedience, and the consequences of sin.

Jesus Himself used it. When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy. He told His followers He didn't come to abolish the law but to fulfill it: bringing it to its intended purpose of showing humanity's need for a Savior.

The Heart Behind the Gift

As we serve families affected by incarceration through CA Jail Outreach, we see firsthand how generous hearts can transform lives. When people give: whether it's time, resources, or simply compassion: they're reflecting God's character to those who need it most.

"The size of the gift doesn't measure true generosity, but by the size of the heart that gives it." : David Avritt (CA Jail Outreach)

The beautiful truth is that our giving becomes an expression of faith. Whether someone chooses to give 10%, more, or less, what matters most is that it comes from a grateful and cheerful heart. God isn't looking for reluctant compliance: He's delighted by joyful generosity.

Understanding the journey from law to grace helps us see giving not as a burden but as a privilege. We have the opportunity to participate in God's work in the world, supporting ministries that bring hope to those in need, such as our work with incarcerated individuals and their families.

When we give with cheerful hearts, motivated by gratitude rather than obligation, we discover the incredible joy that comes from generous living. It's not about the percentage we give; it's about the love that motivates us to give in the first place.

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CEO and Founder David Avritt's Favorite Quotes:

"Helping is ordinary; adding ice makes it extraordinary."

"There are leaders, then there are leaders who served. And among the best leaders are those who always remember to add ice."