1050. The Listeners Speak! The Changes Grace Brought to Them (Part 1)

A few weeks ago, we asked our listeners to respond with comments to this:

Name something that completely changed things for you when coming from a traditional or legalistic-based religious mindset compared to a greater knowledge of the gospel of grace. For those who have experienced such a journey, the differences are nothing short of amazing (and exciting). We are just getting around to sharing those responses while briefly discussing them with our expert commentary. 🙂

This week includes the topics of:

-Tithing demands.
-The "requirement" to convert family and friends by talking about Jesus with everyone all the time.
-Feeling the obligation to pray before every meal.
-The need to regularly do penance.




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777. Giving Freely Without Obligation

If we’re giving because we feel it’s a requirement, then it’s not really giving. If we’re trying to love because we believe we are commanded to do so, then it’s not really love. However, when we begin to realize and believe in the perfect love God has or us as He demonstrated through Jesus and the cross, then we can truly begin to love in the same way God loves us. And giving is born from this kind of love. It makes no demands and yet seeks to help others in need without keeping a record of wrongdoing.

Godly giving through grace doesn’t seek self-reward or payback, but expects nothing in return. But our desire to give isn’t based upon religious requirements which preach you are to “give everything” or “surrender all to God.” It comes from within a new nature and a clean heart, gifted to us and received as a new creation in Christ.

   
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776. "Giving Verses" Out of Context

We’ve communicated many times over the years about giving generously, born out of the same love God has shown to us. But when believers haven’t been told about their identity in Christ or have failed to grasp they are the righteousness of God by faith, then sometimes ministers will use various Bible verses out of context to try and motivate them into giving. It can come from a place of guilt or greed while convincing people it’s a part of the gospel. We look at a couple of examples of more verses without the context from 1 Corinthians 16 and Luke chapter 6.

   
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775. Giving by Grace - Sowing Bountifully or Sparingly

Some have taught that if you give more money, you’ll get more money in return. Sow your money sparingly, and you’ll reap less cash return from God. Just as those who mix the old and new covenants together like to smother the flock with a legalistic 10% “tithing principle” … there are others who will twist a natural law of sowing and reaping, and suggest it works the same with money. They’ll say to plant more greenbacks in order to gain a financial harvest.

It’s just another manipulative method from people with their hand out as they sell you on the idea that God will reward you based upon certain conditions similar to a quid pro quo. That’s not freedom, it’s not grace, and it’s not the gospel. God has given you a new heart which has the desire to give because of love.

   
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774. Released From the Tithing Tether; Free to Give Gracefully

When the truth confronts our hearts in dynamic fashion, it can be difficult to receive it in our minds because we’ve been trapped within religious teaching which may have caused us to depend on certain assumptions that are not based on truth. One of those bondages is breaking free from a religious requirement referred to as a tithe or giving 10% of all your monetary income.

In the New Covenant of Jesus Christ, we’re in a very different paradigm where God’s Spirit lives in us, leading and guiding us as individuals. As a new creation in Christ, it’s within our new righteous nature to desire to give willingly. The Apostle Paul provided a summary of giving under grace:

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

   
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