No where do I find in the New
Testament that Christian men are commanded to tithe. Such a commandment would
be contrary to the gospel of grace, and the spirit of the New Covenant. Legal
commandments are good enough for children of bondage, like Ishmael. But the
children of promise are motivated from a better principle. For them it is
enough to say, "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." We do not
divide out our tenth, like religious misers. We give ourselves and all that we
can for the cause of Christ and the support of the gospel ministry. Why? Because we know his grace.
"THOUGH HE WAS RICH, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE
BECAME POOR." Brethren, the wealth of God, the treasure of the infinite,
the riches of eternity, are the possession of our blessed Savior. From the
highest throne of glory to the lowest pit in hell, Jesus owns it all. It is true, Christ is the lowly man of
Yet, he became poor (Phil. 2:5-8). The eternal Son of
God took manhood into union with himself, The God of
glory robed himself in human flesh. Behold the depths of his poverty at
"THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY
MIGHT BE RICH." What riches are ours through the mediation of
Christ! In him we have all and abound. The riches of grace and redemption, time
and eternity are ours. Do men who know such grace need the threat of the law to
make them tithe? No! The love of Christ constrains us. And in everything grace
produces more than the law. Let us then g ire cheerfully and bountifully.