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Does the Fruit of Tithing Prove That Someone Is Saved?
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THE FRUIT OF TITHING
Tithing is another fruit that some churches advocate to prove whether a believer is saved. Before we begin, I would like to share a personal story about financial giving.
In my younger years, after graduating from Bible college with a two-year degree in Christian leadership, I was asked to co-labor in an affiliated branch ministry that was about to open a Christian day school. Gladly, I accepted the offer and soon became the school’s principal.
During a worship service, it was brought to my attention, along with other members of the church, that not everyone was tithing. The pastor recommended scheduling a meeting for the following day to discuss this issue. He reassured everyone that their participation was vital and that no one would be targeted for what they said.
At the gathering, the pastor asked if anyone had an issue with tithing and, if so, why. One couple stood up and shared that they were having financial difficulties and couldn’t afford to give in this manner at this time. However, they offered to volunteer their skills for any project the church needed.
In hearing this, the pastor lost his cool, claiming that this approach had nothing to do with tithing and that anyone who was not giving in this manner should leave the church. I was shocked to hear this declaration from leadership, but I realized that this issue, and who knows what other biblical mandates, might bring about contention in the church.
First, let’s discuss the view that many churches espouse about financial giving, i.e., tithes.
●TITHING PROVES THAT THE GIVER IS SAVED
Tithing, the giving of ten percent, whether of money, farm produce, or animals, relates to the account of Melchizedek and Abraham in the book of Genesis. Please turn there.
Suggested Reading: Genesis 14:1-24
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him a tenth of all. NASB
This is the first biblical mention of tithing in the Old Testament.
Abram, a Jew, was called by God to leave Chaldea and go forth in finding a geographical location, the land of Canaan, according to His guidance that would become a land inheritance for the future nation of Israel. Accompanying him would be his family and his nephew Lot. God promised Abram that He would make of him a great nation, which indicated that he would eventually have a son. As time went on, Lot and Abram separated because the land they shared could not support two households.
During this time, an alliance of nine Mesopotamian kings, led by Chedorlaomer of Elam, came to an end. Four of the kings, who remained faithful to him, attacked the other five and defeated them, taking not only all of their goods and food but also Lot, his possessions, his family, and his servants. Someone who had escaped the battle found Abram and told him about his nephew’s situation.
Abram and over 300 trained men and their allies attacked the four kings’ encampment at night, defeating them and recovering Lot’s relative and all that belonged to him, along with the spoils stolen from the king of Sodom. This king, along with a priest named Melchizedek, met him upon his return from the military engagement. Abram gave Melchizedek ten percent of the reward and the remaining amount to the king of Sodom.
Another account of tithing is recorded in the same book of Genesis in chapter 28. Let’s turn there.
Suggested Reading: Genesis 28:1-22
Isaac, the youngest son of Abram (later called Abraham), married a woman named Rebekah, who had twin sons, in approximately 2004 BC. The oldest was named Esau, and the youngest was called Jacob. Jacob was a shepherd, and Esau was a hunter. It was customary that the firstborn son of a Jewish family would eventually receive from his father two things: the birthright and the blessing.
What are they all about?
THE BIRTHRIGHT
(1.) The [firstborn] son…became the priest of the family...
(2.) The [firstborn son had allotted to him also a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17)].
Esau transferred (sold) his [birthright] to Jacob (Genesis 25:33).
(3.) The [firstborn] inherited the judicial authority (rule over the brethren and the entire family) of his father, whatever it might be (2 Chronicles 21:3).33
THE BLESSING
Suggested Reading: Genesis 27:1-45
It was customary for a father to pronounce a blessing on the eldest son before he died. This blessing consisted of prayers and predictions relating to the covenant promises, some of which Isaac received directly from the Lord. However, his youngest son, Jacob, and Rebekah devised a plan to trick Isaac into pronouncing the blessing upon Jacob rather than his elder brother.
The blessing upon Jacob was a pronouncement that God would give him:
●The night dew on the ground on hot summer nights for supplying moisture for the plants.
●Rich, fertile, productive lands.
●Plenty of different varieties of grain and wine.
●Other people and nations would obey and serve him.
Genesis 28:1-22 Continued
Isaac, aware of Esau’s anger over being deceived by Jacob and Rebekah, sent Jacob away to Padan-aram to wed one of Laban’s daughters, his wife’s brother. The blessing that was conferred on Jacob by his father was confirmed to him by the Lord in a dream.
20-22 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, and I return to my father’s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God. And this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house; and of all that Thou dost give me I will surely give a tenth to Thee. NASB
Jacob, after hearing what constituted the blessing in a dream, said to the Lord, “If you are able to fulfill your promises to me and bring me back to my Father’s house, I will certainly give you a tenth of all that you have provided me with.”
Some commentators believe that the giving of the tenth, [by Abraham, was a practical acknowledgment of the divine priesthood of Melchizedek,] for the tenth was, according to the general custom, the offering presented to the Deity34 and in its intent, is similar to Jacob’s response to the Lord.
This concept of tithing becomes one of the paramount commands years later under the tenets of what was called the institution of the Mosaic Law.
What was the purpose of the Law?
The Mosaic Law regulated life in God’s unique client nation, Israel, exposed man’s sinfulness, and demonstrated man’s need for a Savior. However, its primary purpose was to anticipate the coming of Christ.
What I would like to do now is provide a background to those whom this body of laws was given, when it was to be instituted, and the paramount verses that support the idea that tithing was to be the basis of giving during the Church Age, i.e., of the early and existing church, the current age during which believers, Christians, live. Please turn to Malachi.
Suggested Reading: Malachi 2:1-17; Malachi 3:6-11
Moses led the Jews out of their captivity in Egypt. They arrived at Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments along with instructions concerning the building of a tabernacle, which was a portable tent-like structure that was to be used in the worship of their God (Yahweh) throughout the forty-year wilderness wanderings to the land that God promised them to inhabit, the country of Canaan. Moses also received procedures regarding an institution known as the Mosaic Law, which the Jews were obligated to obey upon entering the promised land.
Joshua followed Moses as the next leader of the Jews. Under his leadership, they crossed the Jordan River and entered the territory of Canaan, thus becoming a nation. The spiritual responsibilities by which they would worship Yahweh are in full effect. The following four designations classified them:
●Testimonies—Ceremonial Laws - The laws directing the commemoration of certain events (e.g., seventh year Sabbath rest; the fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee; the ordinance of the Passover; the feast of unleavened bread; etc.). Exodus 12:43-50; Numbers 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 25-26
●Judgments—The Social Code - The laws belonging to civil government. (e.g., dietary, marriage, military, conservation, etc., and the related consequences or punishments). Deuteronomy 14-28
●Statutes—The Spiritual Code - The ordinances of the Law (e.g., the Tabernacle, the Holy Days, the Offerings, the High Priest, the Meat Offering, the Trespass Offering, the Levites, tithes, etc.) Exodus 26-31; 35-40; Leviticus 1-24; Deuteronomy 16
●Commandments—The Moral Code - Not only the Ten Commandments, called the Decalogue (honor thy father and thy mother…Exodus 20:12-17), but more than 600 other commandments (e.g., thou shalt have no other gods before me; the Sabbath,…thou shalt not do any work…Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 12; thou shalt truly tithe…Deuteronomy 14:22
One of the tribes, Levi, was set aside by God to implement the duties of the priesthood. Tithes were collected and granted to the Levites for the use of the [sanctuary] and the maintenance of themselves and their families, as they had no other inheritance in Israel.35 With these thoughts in mind, let’s turn to the book of Malachi.
The book of Malachi speaks of a time surrounding the building of the Second Temple. The first temple was built under the reign of Israel’s third king, Solomon, in approximately 1008 BC. Later, around 937 BC, the kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel, comprising ten tribes, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, comprising two tribes.
The first temple, located in Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom, was destroyed in 587 BC by the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar of Chaldea (the Babylonian Empire), who took the Jewish people into captivity. In 539 BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated the Babylonian army. One year later, he allowed the Jews to return home. In approximately 516 BC, they began reconstructing the temple, which was eventually rebuilt.
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, How have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. NASB
Unfortunately, the Jewish people decided to no longer give their tithes and offerings. The Lord said that because they didn’t render financial support to the Levites, He suffered fraud. His ministers, constrained by hunger and penury, deserted the temple.36 As a result, they could no longer treasure discernment. Instead, they proclaimed that everyone who did evil was good in the sight of the Lord.
10-12 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes, says the Lord of hosts. And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts. NASB
Then the Lord encouraged the people, saying that if they would bring the whole tithe (of corn, new wine, oil, etc.) into the storehouse (treasury; great chamber), they would test (prove) Him in keeping the following promisethat He would open for them the windows of heaven (windows from on high) and pour out (holding back nothing) upon them a blessing (an overabundance for the storehouse) and would not destroy agricultural success, i.e., the fruits of the ground and the grape vines. This begs the question:
Why are these verses used to advocate that tithing wasn’t just for the Jewish people under the institution of the Mosaic Law but also for Christians today?
It’s because Jesus, during His earthly public ministry, proclaimed that the commandments of the Law, whether considered even to be the least of such, were to be observed until all that the Law speaks of comes true . This is disclosed in the book of Matthew. Please turn there.
Suggested Reading: Mathew 5:1-20
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. NASB
Jesus is in Galilee, near Capernaum, and was teaching the crowds from a mountain (small hill) about the Mosaic Law. He said that He didn’t come to abolish (destroy; do away with) the Law, but to fulfill it (fulfill the many sacrifices and rites by the offering of Himself as a sacrifice to God) and the Prophets (fully accomplish their many predictions respecting His coming and death). These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by [His life and] sufferings.37
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. NASB
He added that His fulfillment of the Law would extend to its smallest letter, the jot, and the smallest stroke of a letter, the tittle. He would obey the Law perfectly, which He did in His birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection, until all is accomplished (not one part of the writing of the [Law will be destroyed before everything happens as the Law] says it will, not as long as heaven and earth last38).
With that said, the following quote summarizes what’s being stated here. It is the enduring stability, then, of the great truths and principles, moral and spiritual, of the Old Testament [revelation] which our Lord thus expresses.39
19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NASB
Jesus continues in His delineations about the Law. He says that whosoever (implies religious leaders; the Pharisees) annuls (breaks; refuses to observe) the least of these commandments (those precepts which in reality are the least important40; which are still binding) and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least (of no esteem) in the kingdom of heaven (in the church which He is about to establish). Likewise, whoever keeps and teaches them shall be considered great (of high regard) in the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, the Mosaic Law remains binding on Jews and Christians. Tithing, thus, is the protocol for financial giving in the New Testament church.
Because this perspective on tithing is believed to be in effect, the Scriptures from the book of Malachi could be interpreted and translated in this regard and proclaimed by the Christian leaders of the New Testament church.
10-12 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes, says the Lord of hosts. And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts. NASB
Christians are obligated to bring the whole tithe (ten percent of their gross income), which is considered firstfruits, into the storehouse (church). If this command isn’t obeyed, God will not pour out (give out fully) a blessing (financial prosperity) but rather destroy (cause their income to be adversely impacted). By the way, this is my opinion as to how some churches might translate these verses.
Along with tithing under the Mosaic Law, there was another form of giving: free-will offerings, voluntary gifts given to God. With regard to interpreting Scripture in the book of Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation, examples of financial giving are tithes and free-will offerings. One example of tithing is found in the book of Galatians. Please go there.
Galatians 6:6
And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches. NASB
The Apostle Paul was addressing the subject of financial giving. He says that those who are taught (instructed) in the word (God’s message) should share all good things with him who teaches. The word share in Koine Greek is a verb in the present active imperative. The imperative indicates a mood of command, meaning that those taught the word must share. Share what? All good things with those who teach. The words all good things mean tithes of coins or money.
An example of a free-will offering is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Let’s turn there.
Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24
The Christians of the church in Jerusalem are suffering for their faith and need financial assistance. The Apostle Paul was reminding the saints at Corinth, who had pledged to give, of the Macedonian believers who, despite their poverty, gave liberally. And now it’s their turn.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. NASB
He shows the manner and attitude in which the gift should be undertaken. Let each one (believer) do as they are purposed (motivated) in their heart (thoughts). They were not to do this grudgingly (annoyance) or under compulsion (as of the tithe) but as a cheerful giver (free-will offering). By the way, the Jews had in the temple two chests for alms. The one was shel chuwbah, of what was necessary, [i.e., what the law required;] the other was shel nedabah,of the free-will offerings.41
Now that we are aware of some of the verses used to support the view that New Testament believers are required to tithe and provide free-will offerings, let’s take a look at the opposing view, i.e., financial giving in the form of tithes and free-will offerings is no longer in effect for Christians of the New Testament church.
●IF A BELIEVER DOES NOT TITHE, THIS DOES NOT PROVE THAT THEY ARE NOT SAVED
Determining whether tithes and free-will offerings are the protocols for financial giving for Christians during the Church Age has been approached in a different manner. According to this avenue, a perspective on any biblical topic is determined by the Scriptures revealed about it, as found in the books of Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. This could be called a dispensational approach.
What is a dispensation?
A dispensation is a period of human history defined by divine revelation42 [during] which God relates to human beings in different ways under different biblical covenants. The doctrine of dispensations is the [means] by which believers living at a specific time can orient to God’s will, plan, and purpose for their lives.43
With these thoughts in mind, let’s take a look at the prominent verses that don’t support the view that tithing proves that someone is saved and instead indicate that this form of financial giving isn’t supported by the Scriptures unveiled to the New Testament church. Please turn to Acts.
Suggested Reading: Acts 15:1-30
1 And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. NASB
There were certain men of the Pharisees who some believe had become Christians, who were teaching that the Gentile Christians had to be circumcised (proselytes to their religion were circumcised as well as native-born Jews, and they held it to be indispensable to salvation)44 after the custom (manner) of Moses to be saved (for justification; to be made righteous). Paul and Barnabas decided to go to Jerusalem to discuss this matter with the apostles and elders.
5 But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses. NASB
Some of the Jewish believers who attended the meeting stood up and reiterated not only the need for the Gentile believers to be circumcised but also that they were required to observe the Law of Moses (by that, [circumcision] a man was made debtor to the whole Law, to observe all its rites and ceremonies).45
23-25 and they sent this letter by them, The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, NASB
After much discussion, it was determined that an epistle be written and entrusted to four men, Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, who would go to the Christian churches in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia and present the conclusions on this issue to them.
28-29 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell. NASB
This letter made it clear that there were four essentials that the Gentile believers had to refrain from: the pollution of idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood.
●Idols: Eating things offered to idols at pagan festivals or temples.
●Fornication: All illicit sexual intercourse.
●Things strangled
● And blood
They were asked not to drink blood or eat animals whose blood had not been strained because these practices were forbidden by the Jewish dietary laws. This was a contentious issue, especially when the church members met for group meals, called agape feasts, at which time food and drink were to be shared with one another.
The epistle to the Christian churches clarified that Gentile believers were not under any obligation to be circumcised to be saved and that this encompassed all the rights and ceremonies of the Mosaic Law. As for the Jewish Christians, whatever commands were required when they were unbelievers under the Law, and now that they had become Christians, would be sorted out from newly revealed divine revelation. If they wanted to continue observing some or all of their yearly feasts, observe the seventh-day Sabbath, etc., that was up to them. However, as they learned more about the new faith they had entered into, they would understand how the tenets of their Jewish faith not only pointed to their future Messiah, Jesus, in whom they believed, but also whether the new doctrinal truths revealed in the book of Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation under grace would supplant the Old Testament truths concerning salvation and sanctification.
If Jewish Christians still believed that they were under an obligation to observe the commands of the Mosaic Law, then, as hidden divine revelation about salvation and sanctification for believers in the New Testament church was unveiled, this would be made clear. Right?
And did it reveal that they were no longer under compulsion to observe any of the many commands of the Law?
Let’s find out. Please turn to Hebrews.
Suggested Reading: Hebrews 8:1-13
6-8 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. For finding fault with them, He says, Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, When I will effect a new covenant With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; NASB
The writer of the book of Hebrews was talking about why the Old Testament covenant with the Jews was found to be faultless. This is because it did not contain the ample provision for the pardon of sin and the salvation of the [soul,] which was desirable.46 So, a search for a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah was underway.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, And I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, And they shall be My people. NASB
What follows is a surprising statement. With respect to the Jews, the Lord said He would put His laws (the laws of the new dispensation would relate particularly to the inner man47) into their minds (to think about them) and write them upon their hearts (designed to control the soul).
Under the new covenant of grace and truth, Jewish Christians are under no obligation to obey any of the commands of the Law of Moses. With that said, we can retranslate some of the same verses used to support tithing and unveil a new approach to financial giving. Let’s begin by turning to 2 Corinthians.
Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24
The Christians of the church in Jerusalem are suffering for their faith and need financial assistance. The Apostle Paul was reminding the saints at Corinth, who had pledged to give, of the Macedonian believers, who, despite their poverty, gave liberally. Now it is their turn.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. NASB
Paul expresses the manner and attitude in which the gift should be undertaken. Let each one (believer) do as they purposed (the consent of free will) in their heart (thoughts). They were not to participate in this endeavor grudgingly (not as if he were constrained to do a thing that was extremely painful to him48) or under compulsion (imposed by duty; outer pressure from other people), but as a cheerful giver (joyful willingness).
Giving as one chooses with proper motivation was directed to both Jewish and Gentile believers. This type of giving can also be called grace giving.Grace giving means that God blesses the giver as well as the gift and that the giver is a blessing to others.49
Let’s take another look at a verse that was translated under the opposing view that tithing was mandatory for New Testament believers. Please go to Galatians.
Galatians 6:6
And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches. NASB
The Apostle Paul is addressing the subject of financial giving. He says that those who are taught (instructed) in the word (God’s message) should share all good things with him who teaches. The word share in Koine Greek is a verb in the present active imperative. The imperative indicates a mood of command meaning, that those taught the word must share. Share what? All good things with those who teach.
The words all good things in Koine Greek refer to the sharing of material blessings with one another.50 Believers who were taught in the Word of God were implored to provide financial support for their instructors, which could take the form of money, housing, food, etc. The Apostle Paul doesn’t propose that no limit should be set to their worldly enjoyments,…, but merely that none of the necessary supports of life should be withheld.51
Finally, we’ll retranslate the Scriptures from the book of Matthew concerning the opposing view that obedience to every aspect of the Law is still required for all Christians.
Suggested Reading: Mathew 5:1-20
As has been reiterated before, translating verses from the four gospels is difficult because God’s new revelations about salvation and sanctification in the following dispensation of the New Testament church had not yet been declared. So, no matter what topic Jesus brings up during His incarnation, the full meaning should be derived from what is disclosed in the book of Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation.
1-2 And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, NASB
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. NASB
Jesus is in Galilee, near Capernaum, and is teaching the crowds from a mountain (small hill). About the Mosaic Law, He said that He didn’t come to abolish (deny the divine authority of) the Law, but to fulfill it (fulfill the many sacrifices and rites by the offering of Himself as a sacrifice to God) and the Prophets (fully accomplish their many predictions respecting His coming and death). These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by [His life and His] sufferings.52
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. NASB
He added that His fulfillment of the Law would extend to its smallest letter, the jot, and the smallest stroke of a letter, the tittle, which would not pass away (stop being the protocol way to please God) until all is accomplished (fulfilled) by Himself. Jesus obeyed the Law perfectly in His birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection. He fulfilled the Old Testament types and ceremonies so that His chosen people no longer had to keep them. He set aside the Old Covenant and brought in the New Covenant.
19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NASB
Jesus continues in His delineations about the Law. He says that whosoever (implies religious leaders; the Pharisees) annuls (breaks; refuses to observe) the least of these commandments (those precepts which in reality are the least important53) and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least (of no esteem) in the kingdom of heaven (in the church which He is about to establish). Likewise, whoever keeps and teaches them (that they were issued from divine authority) shall be considered great (have high status54) in the kingdom of heaven. However, a change from the Old Covenant, which was considered faultless, but it was not, to a new one was on the horizon.
20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. NASB
Then He discloses a spiritual reality that could occur only in the next dispensation, the Church Age. Unless their righteousness (the outward and formal righteousness of the Law) surpasses that of the teachers of the Law, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Unbeknownst to them, the righteousness to which Jesus was referring must be inward, vital, [and] spiritual.55
What is this kingdom that they won’t enter if their righteousness doesn’t surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees?
This is found in the book of Luke.
Luke 17:20-21 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst. NASB
This kingdom is invisible, one that comes not with observation (for it has to do with the inward and spiritual renewal of the soul). Those who enter it will receive an invisible helper, God the Holy Spirit.
Romans 3:10 as it is written, There is none righteous, not even one; NASB
Romans 3:19-23 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; NASB
By the works of the Law (by such deeds as the Law requires56), no flesh (human being) will be justified (be regarded and treated as righteous) in God’s sight and be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
This righteousness can be received only through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe and not by attempts to obtain it through obedience to the many commands that the Law required. Becoming righteous and securing one’s righteous standing in God’s sight has nothing to do with tithing or free-will offerings. Therefore, if a believer chooses not to tithe, their present status as a child of God will not change.
The next fruit that we’ll focus on is whether speaking in tongues proves that someone is saved. But before we do, I’d like to leave you with an uplifting story about generosity. Enjoy.
LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD
One Sunday [afternoon, my mother] and I were sitting in the car waiting for the rest of our family to come out of the church. A young mother exited the church and reluctantly approached our car. “Miss Bev…?” she said softly with tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong, baby?” my [mom asked in her classic,] calming, motherly tone. She lowered the window on the passenger side so she could hold the young mother’s hand. “I hate to ask this,” the young mother [continued,] never lifting her eyes from the ground. “I’m ready to do what we talked about.” Tears streamed down her face as she looked down at the little three-year-old girl clinging [to] her leg.
“What do you need?” “Like…um…” [She] paused. “Like...17 dollars?” [Her] voice broke. She rubbed the head of her baby [girl,] who had reached her hand up to touch my mom’s hand. “That’s all you need?” my [mom] asked with surprise. “Yes, ma’am. Just a few dollars to get Hailey something to eat and a few dollars [for] gas money to get to my mom’s. She said we can stay there for a while.”
“All your stuff packed?” “Yes, [ma’am,] it’s in the car. It’s just when I went to the ATM before church to check my balance…He…He…um…He…” “Took it all,” concluded my [mom]. “Yes, ma’am. And he doesn’t work. So, it’s all mine.” [Her voice began to rise]. “All of it. Mine!” “It’s okay, baby! It’s ok,” reassured my [mom as she dug in her purse and pulled out a piece of peppermint hard [candy] and handed it to an ecstatic Hailey.
My Mom then turned to me. “Sherri, I don’t have any cash. Can you give this girl some money, please?” “Huh?” I said, whipping my head quickly to the passenger seat.
We stared at each other for what seemed like a few hours. “Give this girl some money,” she [said,] confused about why she had to say it twice. “Oh, um, ok. Sure.” I reached for my purse and wallet in the back seat.
The young mom felt the awkwardness and attempted to assure me. “I’ll pay you back when I come back from my mom’s, Sherri.” “You ain’t got to pay her back, baby,” [my mom] said loud and proud.
Again, my head whipped to the passenger’s seat. My Mom was smiling and rubbing little Hailey’s hand. I opened my wallet. My mom glanced over as I grabbed a 10 and a 5. As I went for the final [two-dollar bills to complete the 17-dollar request]…“20. 20. [10,” my] mom said calmly under her breath to me as she turned back to the window.
“Wait. What?” I thought to myself. That’s FIFTY! “Your mama lives in Kittaninning, right?” she said, scrounging in her purse for another peppermint. “Yes, ma’am,” the young mother answered with a smile. “That’s a nice drive. My son just had a football game out there. Beautiful trees and hills.” “Yes, ma’am.”
“Sherri, come on! They gotta get on the road.” She handed another peppermint to [Hailey,] who quickly crunched through the first, so she could accommodate a second. I, admittedly in shock, handed my mom a 20, a 20, and a 10. She took it from my hand [and, in one fluid motion,] handed it out the window to the young mom.
Her eyes expanded to [twice] their size. “Miss Bev, this is too…” “It’s fine. You get you and this baby something to eat, get some gas, and get on the road. Straight on the road. You hear me?” My Mom paused while still holding the young mom’s [hand.] “Don’t go back to that house.”
The girl stared at my [mom] as if she had just uncovered a secret. “This is enough for you to get directly on the road, right?” “How did you…?” the young girl whispered, still holding the money in her outstretched hand. “Miss Bev been [there,] baby. Y’all go ahead now. Get to your mama’s house.”
The young mom bent down and hugged my mom through the open window. She broke down and cried [as my mom whispered in her ear,] “He’ll never leave you nor forsake you.”
After she wiped her tears, she gathered up Hailey and crossed the street to her overpacked [car,] burgeoning with all their belongings. We watched them pull off. I stared straight [ahead,] trying to process what just happened. Miss Bev had unfinished business with me.
“You really [were] gonna give that girl 17 dollars?” “She asked for 17 dollars.” “She needed 50, Sherri.” “How was I supposed to know that?” “By listening.”
I had no comeback for that, so I just sat there. Sensing all the mixed emotions I had swirling around in me, she gently reached over, pulled my head down, kissed my forehead, and held my face in her hands. “Trust me. God will do far more with that 50 dollars in her hands than you would have done with it in yours.” She smiled and kissed my forehead again.
As other members of my family began to leave the [church, my mom] leaned her head out of the window. “Y’all done?” “Yeah,” my [uncle] yelled back as he headed for his truck. “Ok, one of y’all gotta pay for our dinner. Sherri just gave all our money away.”
Again, my head whipped to the passenger seat. Seriously? “No problem. I got y’all,” my [aunt] said as she opened up my back door and got in the back seat. [“Thank you!” my mom] said as she rolled up her window. “See,” she said as she grabbed my hand. “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread!”
“I hope y’all know [y’all’re ordering from the kiddie menu,” my aunt] quipped from the back. They both laughed hysterically as I pulled off. As crazy as it may seem, that day I received my greatest lesson on generosity.
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.” Psalm 37:25-2657 [KJV]
Endnotes
33Easton’s Bible Dictionary Pc Study Bible version 5, 1998. BIBLESOFT. WEB. 5 December 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
34Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament Pc Study Bible version 5, 2005.
BIBLESOFT. WEB. 8 December 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
35Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
36Barnes’ Notes.
37Barnes’ Notes.
38UBS New Testament Handbook Series.
39Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary Pc Study Bible version 5, 2005. BIBLESOFT.
WEB. 8 December 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
40The Pulpit Commentary Pc Study Bible version 5, 2006. BIBLESOFT. WEB. 10 December 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
41Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
42R.B. Thieme Jr., The Divine Outline of History (Houston, Texas: Berachah Tapes and Publications, 1989).
43R.B. Thieme Jr.
44Barnes’ Notes.
45Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
46Barnes’ Notes.
47Barnes’ Notes.
48Barnes’ Notes.
49The Bible Exposition Commentary/New Testament.
50The Bible Exposition Commentary/New Testament.
51Calvin’s Commentaries Pc Study Bible version 5, 2006. BIBLESOFT. WEB. 12 December 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
52Barnes’ Notes.
53The Pulpit Commentary.
54UBS New Testament Handbook Series.
55Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary.
56Barnes’ Notes.
57Brant Hansen. “Listening to God’s Word.” 13 December 2025
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