The Truth About Tithing: Are You Being Deceived? | DENZEL WASHINGTON Motivation
Rise Excellence
[{'start': '7.839', 'end': '12.559', 'text': 'Today there is a dangerous deception'}, {'start': '10.400', 'end': '14.799', 'text': 'spreading quietly through the church. A'}, {'start': '12.559', 'end': '16.960', 'text': 'message that does not bring freedom but'}, {'start': '14.799', 'end': '18.800', 'text': 'adds a heavy burden on the hearts of'}, {'start': '16.960', 'end': '20.640', 'text': 'believers. It has manipulated the'}, {'start': '18.800', 'end': '23.199', 'text': 'faithful and twisted the word of God'}, {'start': '20.640', 'end': '25.119', 'text': 'into a tool for financial gain. Many'}, {'start': '23.199', 'end': '27.359', 'text': 'sincere Christians have been told that'}, {'start': '25.119', 'end': '30.160', 'text': 'unless they give exactly 10% of their'}, {'start': '27.359', 'end': '31.920', 'text': 'income, they are robbing God. That'}, {'start': '30.160', 'end': '34.480', 'text': 'unless they meet this number, they will'}, {'start': '31.920', 'end': '36.640', 'text': 'live under his curse. This teaching has'}, {'start': '34.480', 'end': '38.559', 'text': 'caused fear where there should be peace.'}, {'start': '36.640', 'end': '41.120', 'text': 'It has replaced joy with guilt and'}, {'start': '38.559', 'end': '43.680', 'text': 'turned giving into a transaction instead'}, {'start': '41.120', 'end': '46.640', 'text': 'of an act of worship. But is this truly'}, {'start': '43.680', 'end': '50.480', 'text': 'what the Bible teaches? Is this really'}, {'start': '46.640', 'end': '52.879', 'text': 'what God asks of his people? To find the'}, {'start': '50.480', 'end': '55.760', 'text': 'truth, we cannot rely on tradition or'}, {'start': '52.879', 'end': '57.600', 'text': 'popular opinion. We must go back to the'}, {'start': '55.760', 'end': '59.640', 'text': 'word itself. We must look carefully at'}, {'start': '57.600', 'end': '62.160', 'text': 'what scripture says about giving, about'}, {'start': '59.640', 'end': '64.320', 'text': 'generosity, and about how God calls his'}, {'start': '62.160', 'end': '67.760', 'text': 'people to honor him. The answer may'}, {'start': '64.320', 'end': '70.560', 'text': 'surprise you and it may set you free.'}, {'start': '67.760', 'end': '72.880', 'text': 'Number one, the original purpose of'}, {'start': '70.560', 'end': '75.200', 'text': 'tithing in the Old Testament. To'}, {'start': '72.880', 'end': '77.360', 'text': 'understand what the Bible truly teaches'}, {'start': '75.200', 'end': '79.520', 'text': 'about tiththing, we must begin at the'}, {'start': '77.360', 'end': '81.280', 'text': 'source. We must look back to the'}, {'start': '79.520', 'end': '83.119', 'text': 'original purpose that God established'}, {'start': '81.280', 'end': '85.520', 'text': 'through the law given to Israel. The'}, {'start': '83.119', 'end': '88.240', 'text': 'tithe was never designed as a universal'}, {'start': '85.520', 'end': '90.320', 'text': 'command for all people in all times. It'}, {'start': '88.240', 'end': '93.200', 'text': 'was not a timeless rule placed upon'}, {'start': '90.320', 'end': '95.520', 'text': 'every believer. It was a specific system'}, {'start': '93.200', 'end': '98.560', 'text': 'designed for a specific nation under a'}, {'start': '95.520', 'end': '100.320', 'text': 'specific covenant. The word tithe means'}, {'start': '98.560', 'end': '102.000', 'text': 'attempt. Under the law of Moses, this'}, {'start': '100.320', 'end': '104.159', 'text': 'was not simply an act of personal'}, {'start': '102.000', 'end': '106.720', 'text': 'generosity. It was a legal requirement'}, {'start': '104.159', 'end': '108.720', 'text': 'for the people of Israel. The tithe was'}, {'start': '106.720', 'end': '110.799', 'text': 'given to support the religious life, the'}, {'start': '108.720', 'end': '112.640', 'text': 'social order, and the economic stability'}, {'start': '110.799', 'end': '114.560', 'text': 'of the nation. It was part of the'}, {'start': '112.640', 'end': '117.280', 'text': 'structure God put in place for his'}, {'start': '114.560', 'end': '119.680', 'text': 'chosen people. The first time we see the'}, {'start': '117.280', 'end': '121.840', 'text': 'act of giving a tenth in scripture is'}, {'start': '119.680', 'end': '125.600', 'text': 'not in the law, but much earlier in the'}, {'start': '121.840', 'end': '128.239', 'text': 'story of Abraham. In Genesis 14, after'}, {'start': '125.600', 'end': '130.760', 'text': 'God had given him victory in battle,'}, {'start': '128.239', 'end': '134.239', 'text': 'Abram gave a tenth of the spoils to'}, {'start': '130.760', 'end': '136.560', 'text': 'Melchisedc, the priest of God most high.'}, {'start': '134.239', 'end': '138.879', 'text': 'But this was not because of a command.'}, {'start': '136.560', 'end': '140.560', 'text': 'There was no law telling him to do this.'}, {'start': '138.879', 'end': '142.560', 'text': 'It was an act of gratitude, a free'}, {'start': '140.560', 'end': '146.720', 'text': 'offering from the heart. Later in'}, {'start': '142.560', 'end': '149.120', 'text': 'Genesis 28, Jacob made a vow to give God'}, {'start': '146.720', 'end': '152.160', 'text': 'a tenth of his possessions if God would'}, {'start': '149.120', 'end': '154.560', 'text': 'bless and protect him on his journey.'}, {'start': '152.160', 'end': '156.319', 'text': 'Once again, this was not a demand from'}, {'start': '154.560', 'end': '158.319', 'text': 'heaven. It was a personal commitment'}, {'start': '156.319', 'end': '160.000', 'text': 'born out of faith and hope. These early'}, {'start': '158.319', 'end': '161.920', 'text': 'examples show us something important.'}, {'start': '160.000', 'end': '164.239', 'text': 'The idea of giving a tenth was known'}, {'start': '161.920', 'end': '166.640', 'text': 'long before the law of Moses. But it was'}, {'start': '164.239', 'end': '169.239', 'text': 'never presented as a universal law or a'}, {'start': '166.640', 'end': '171.280', 'text': 'divine command for all people. It was'}, {'start': '169.239', 'end': '173.280', 'text': 'voluntary. It was a response of the'}, {'start': '171.280', 'end': '175.120', 'text': 'heart, not an obligation placed by God'}, {'start': '173.280', 'end': '177.280', 'text': 'upon every believer. Understanding this'}, {'start': '175.120', 'end': '178.959', 'text': 'foundation is essential because it helps'}, {'start': '177.280', 'end': '181.040', 'text': 'us see the difference between the giving'}, {'start': '178.959', 'end': '183.680', 'text': 'that was required under the old covenant'}, {'start': '181.040', 'end': '185.840', 'text': 'and the freedom that believers now have'}, {'start': '183.680', 'end': '188.080', 'text': 'under grace. This is where the confusion'}, {'start': '185.840', 'end': '189.760', 'text': 'often begins and where we must be'}, {'start': '188.080', 'end': '192.480', 'text': 'careful to separate what was given to'}, {'start': '189.760', 'end': '196.239', 'text': 'Israel as law from what God calls his'}, {'start': '192.480', 'end': '198.239', 'text': 'people to practice today. Number two,'}, {'start': '196.239', 'end': '200.800', 'text': 'the formal command of tithing under the'}, {'start': '198.239', 'end': '203.360', 'text': 'law of Moses. The official command to'}, {'start': '200.800', 'end': '205.519', 'text': 'tithe did not begin with Abraham and it'}, {'start': '203.360', 'end': '207.280', 'text': 'was not born from personal vows like'}, {'start': '205.519', 'end': '209.360', 'text': "Jacob's. It was formally established"}, {'start': '207.280', 'end': '211.760', 'text': 'through the law that God gave to Moses'}, {'start': '209.360', 'end': '214.280', 'text': 'for the people of Israel. This was not'}, {'start': '211.760', 'end': '216.879', 'text': 'presented as a suggestion. It was a'}, {'start': '214.280', 'end': '218.720', 'text': 'requirement, a legal obligation built'}, {'start': '216.879', 'end': '220.000', 'text': "into the very structure of Israel's"}, {'start': '218.720', 'end': '222.560', 'text': 'national life. In the books of'}, {'start': '220.000', 'end': '224.640', 'text': 'Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, God'}, {'start': '222.560', 'end': '226.480', 'text': 'clearly commanded the Israelites to give'}, {'start': '224.640', 'end': '228.799', 'text': 'a tenth of their crops, their livestock,'}, {'start': '226.480', 'end': '230.879', 'text': 'and their produce. This tithe was not'}, {'start': '228.799', 'end': '232.799', 'text': 'given as a personal gift to God. It was'}, {'start': '230.879', 'end': '235.519', 'text': 'a system of provision for the tribe of'}, {'start': '232.799', 'end': '237.519', 'text': 'Levi. The Levites were chosen by God for'}, {'start': '235.519', 'end': '239.040', 'text': 'priestly service. Unlike the other'}, {'start': '237.519', 'end': '241.840', 'text': 'tribes, they did not receive a share of'}, {'start': '239.040', 'end': '243.840', 'text': 'the land. Their inheritance was not land'}, {'start': '241.840', 'end': '245.840', 'text': 'or property. Their portion was the'}, {'start': '243.840', 'end': '247.920', 'text': 'service of the temple and the support'}, {'start': '245.840', 'end': '251.519', 'text': 'that came from the tithes of the people.'}, {'start': '247.920', 'end': '253.599', 'text': 'Numbers 18 21 makes this clear. God'}, {'start': '251.519', 'end': '256.560', 'text': 'said, "I give to the Levites all the'}, {'start': '253.599', 'end': '258.720', 'text': 'tithes in Israel as their inheritance in'}, {'start': '256.560', 'end': '260.479', 'text': 'return for the work they do while'}, {'start': '258.720', 'end': '262.240', 'text': 'serving at the tent of meeting." The'}, {'start': '260.479', 'end': '263.600', 'text': 'tithe was a means of sustaining the'}, {'start': '262.240', 'end': '265.919', 'text': 'religious leaders, maintaining the'}, {'start': '263.600', 'end': '268.240', 'text': 'tabernacle, and later supporting the'}, {'start': '265.919', 'end': '271.440', 'text': 'temple worship. It functioned as a'}, {'start': '268.240', 'end': '273.520', 'text': 'national tax. It was not voluntary. It'}, {'start': '271.440', 'end': '275.440', 'text': 'was mandatory for every Israelite. But'}, {'start': '273.520', 'end': '278.000', 'text': 'this system was not limited to a single'}, {'start': '275.440', 'end': '280.000', 'text': 'tithe. Many people today are not aware'}, {'start': '278.000', 'end': '282.960', 'text': 'that the Old Testament law actually'}, {'start': '280.000', 'end': '284.560', 'text': 'required multiple tithes. There was the'}, {'start': '282.960', 'end': '286.160', 'text': 'first tithe which went to support the'}, {'start': '284.560', 'end': '288.880', 'text': 'Levites and their work. Then as'}, {'start': '286.160', 'end': '290.800', 'text': 'described in Deuteronomy 14, there was a'}, {'start': '288.880', 'end': '292.840', 'text': 'second tithe set aside for religious'}, {'start': '290.800', 'end': '295.440', 'text': 'festivals where the people would come to'}, {'start': '292.840', 'end': '297.280', 'text': 'Jerusalem to celebrate before the Lord.'}, {'start': '295.440', 'end': '299.199', 'text': 'This was part of the communal life of'}, {'start': '297.280', 'end': '301.040', 'text': "worship, reminding the people of God's"}, {'start': '299.199', 'end': '304.080', 'text': 'provision and their shared identity as'}, {'start': '301.040', 'end': '306.320', 'text': 'his chosen nation. In addition to these,'}, {'start': '304.080', 'end': '308.880', 'text': 'there was a third tithe collected every'}, {'start': '306.320', 'end': '310.639', 'text': 'third year. This tithe was designated'}, {'start': '308.880', 'end': '312.240', 'text': 'specifically for the poor, the widows,'}, {'start': '310.639', 'end': '314.560', 'text': 'the orphans, and the foreigners living'}, {'start': '312.240', 'end': '316.560', 'text': 'among them. It was a provision to care'}, {'start': '314.560', 'end': '318.160', 'text': 'for the vulnerable and ensure that no'}, {'start': '316.560', 'end': '319.840', 'text': 'one in the community was left without'}, {'start': '318.160', 'end': '321.840', 'text': 'help. When all of these tithes were'}, {'start': '319.840', 'end': '323.759', 'text': 'added together, the total giving'}, {'start': '321.840', 'end': '326.400', 'text': 'required under the law could easily'}, {'start': '323.759', 'end': '328.639', 'text': "exceed 20% of a person's annual"}, {'start': '326.400', 'end': '330.960', 'text': 'increase. This was not a simple 10%'}, {'start': '328.639', 'end': '333.440', 'text': 'donation. It was a structured system of'}, {'start': '330.960', 'end': '335.360', 'text': 'national support woven into the covenant'}, {'start': '333.440', 'end': '338.080', 'text': 'life of Israel. Understanding this'}, {'start': '335.360', 'end': '340.560', 'text': 'context is crucial. It shows that the'}, {'start': '338.080', 'end': '342.639', 'text': 'tithe under the law of Moses was not'}, {'start': '340.560', 'end': '344.479', 'text': 'about individual generosity. It was'}, {'start': '342.639', 'end': '347.199', 'text': 'about maintaining a theocratic nation'}, {'start': '344.479', 'end': '349.840', 'text': 'with its priests, its festivals, and its'}, {'start': '347.199', 'end': '352.400', 'text': 'social care system. This was the purpose'}, {'start': '349.840', 'end': '354.400', 'text': 'for which God commanded the tithe in the'}, {'start': '352.400', 'end': '356.000', 'text': 'Old Testament. And this purpose is very'}, {'start': '354.400', 'end': '357.479', 'text': 'different from how many have been taught'}, {'start': '356.000', 'end': '360.400', 'text': 'to view tithing'}, {'start': '357.479', 'end': '363.360', 'text': 'today. Number three, misinterpretation'}, {'start': '360.400', 'end': '365.840', 'text': 'of Malachi and the curse argument. As'}, {'start': '363.360', 'end': '367.680', 'text': 'the history of Israel unfolded, there'}, {'start': '365.840', 'end': '369.680', 'text': 'came a time when the people began to'}, {'start': '367.680', 'end': '371.840', 'text': 'drift from the commands God had given'}, {'start': '369.680', 'end': '374.240', 'text': 'them through the law of Moses. By the'}, {'start': '371.840', 'end': '376.000', 'text': 'days of the prophet Malachi, the nation'}, {'start': '374.240', 'end': '377.840', 'text': 'was no longer honoring their covenant'}, {'start': '376.000', 'end': '379.600', 'text': 'obligations. They were neglecting the'}, {'start': '377.840', 'end': '381.600', 'text': 'tithes that had been required to sustain'}, {'start': '379.600', 'end': '383.680', 'text': 'the temple worship and care for the'}, {'start': '381.600', 'end': '387.520', 'text': 'Levites. This led to a strong rebuke'}, {'start': '383.680', 'end': '389.680', 'text': 'from God recorded in Malachi 3:es 8-10.'}, {'start': '387.520', 'end': '391.840', 'text': 'Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed'}, {'start': '389.680', 'end': '394.240', 'text': 'me. But you say, "In what way have we'}, {'start': '391.840', 'end': '395.600', 'text': 'robbed you?" In tithes and offering.'}, {'start': '394.240', 'end': '397.759', 'text': 'These words have echoed through'}, {'start': '395.600', 'end': '400.080', 'text': 'centuries, often quoted from pulpit as a'}, {'start': '397.759', 'end': '402.240', 'text': 'warning to those who do not give 10% of'}, {'start': '400.080', 'end': '404.160', 'text': 'their income. Many pastors today use'}, {'start': '402.240', 'end': '406.319', 'text': 'this passage to pressure believers,'}, {'start': '404.160', 'end': '408.960', 'text': 'claiming that if you do not tithe, you'}, {'start': '406.319', 'end': '411.440', 'text': 'are robbing God and placing yourself'}, {'start': '408.960', 'end': '413.520', 'text': 'under a curse. But here is what we must'}, {'start': '411.440', 'end': '414.960', 'text': 'understand. This message was not'}, {'start': '413.520', 'end': '416.560', 'text': 'addressed to the church. It was not'}, {'start': '414.960', 'end': '419.039', 'text': 'spoken to believers under the new'}, {'start': '416.560', 'end': '421.680', 'text': 'covenant of grace. It was spoken'}, {'start': '419.039', 'end': '423.919', 'text': 'directly to the nation of Israel. It was'}, {'start': '421.680', 'end': '425.759', 'text': 'a call for them to return to the law'}, {'start': '423.919', 'end': '427.440', 'text': 'that they were under at that time. The'}, {'start': '425.759', 'end': '429.840', 'text': 'people of Israel had entered into a'}, {'start': '427.440', 'end': '431.840', 'text': 'covenant with God at Mount Si. They'}, {'start': '429.840', 'end': '434.639', 'text': 'agreed to live under the law with its'}, {'start': '431.840', 'end': '437.120', 'text': 'blessings for obedience and its curses'}, {'start': '434.639', 'end': '439.280', 'text': 'for disobedience. Malachi was reminding'}, {'start': '437.120', 'end': '441.120', 'text': 'them of this covenant. His message was a'}, {'start': '439.280', 'end': '443.199', 'text': 'call to faithfulness within that'}, {'start': '441.120', 'end': '445.599', 'text': 'specific agreement. It was never'}, {'start': '443.199', 'end': '447.360', 'text': 'intended as a universal command placed'}, {'start': '445.599', 'end': '449.520', 'text': 'upon Christians living under the new'}, {'start': '447.360', 'end': '451.360', 'text': 'covenant established by the sacrifice of'}, {'start': '449.520', 'end': '453.120', 'text': 'Jesus Christ. When this passage is taken'}, {'start': '451.360', 'end': '455.120', 'text': 'out of its historical and biblical'}, {'start': '453.120', 'end': '457.120', 'text': 'context, it becomes a tool for'}, {'start': '455.120', 'end': '458.639', 'text': 'manipulation rather than a faithful'}, {'start': '457.120', 'end': '460.639', 'text': 'teaching of scripture. The curse that'}, {'start': '458.639', 'end': '462.319', 'text': 'Malachi speaks of was tied directly to'}, {'start': '460.639', 'end': '464.319', 'text': "Israel's failure to uphold the"}, {'start': '462.319', 'end': '466.880', 'text': 'requirements of the Mosaic law. But'}, {'start': '464.319', 'end': '468.639', 'text': 'believers today are not under that law.'}, {'start': '466.880', 'end': '470.800', 'text': 'They are under grace. They are not'}, {'start': '468.639', 'end': '473.039', 'text': 'justified by works of the law, but by'}, {'start': '470.800', 'end': '475.000', 'text': 'faith in the finished work of Christ.'}, {'start': '473.039', 'end': '478.160', 'text': 'The Apostle Paul makes this clear in'}, {'start': '475.000', 'end': '480.720', 'text': 'Galatians 3 where he writes that Christ'}, {'start': '478.160', 'end': '482.639', 'text': 'redeemed us from the curse of the law by'}, {'start': '480.720', 'end': '484.960', 'text': 'becoming a curse for us. To apply'}, {'start': '482.639', 'end': '487.599', 'text': "Malachi's warning to the church is to"}, {'start': '484.960', 'end': '489.879', 'text': 'ignore this truth and to place burdens'}, {'start': '487.599', 'end': '492.919', 'text': 'on believers that Christ has already'}, {'start': '489.879', 'end': '495.919', 'text': 'lifted. It turns giving into a fearful'}, {'start': '492.919', 'end': '498.720', 'text': 'obligation instead of the joyful spirit'}, {'start': '495.919', 'end': '500.479', 'text': 'led act of worship that God desired.'}, {'start': '498.720', 'end': '502.720', 'text': 'Understanding this distinction is'}, {'start': '500.479', 'end': '505.440', 'text': 'critical. It allows us to approach'}, {'start': '502.720', 'end': '507.520', 'text': 'giving not with guilt or fear but with'}, {'start': '505.440', 'end': '510.000', 'text': 'freedom and gratitude. It keeps our'}, {'start': '507.520', 'end': '512.959', 'text': 'focus on the heart of God who calls his'}, {'start': '510.000', 'end': '515.680', 'text': 'people not to legalism but to loved'}, {'start': '512.959', 'end': '516.440', 'text': 'driven obedience under the grace of the'}, {'start': '515.680', 'end': '519.360', 'text': 'new'}, {'start': '516.440', 'end': '522.000', 'text': 'covenant. Number four, the transition'}, {'start': '519.360', 'end': '524.080', 'text': 'from law to grace, a new covenant'}, {'start': '522.000', 'end': '526.160', 'text': 'reality. The coming of Jesus Christ'}, {'start': '524.080', 'end': '527.519', 'text': 'changed everything. It marked the'}, {'start': '526.160', 'end': '529.360', 'text': 'greatest turning point in all of'}, {'start': '527.519', 'end': '532.080', 'text': 'biblical history. It was the moment when'}, {'start': '529.360', 'end': '534.240', 'text': 'the system of law gave way to the power'}, {'start': '532.080', 'end': '536.800', 'text': 'of grace. The law delivered through'}, {'start': '534.240', 'end': '539.279', 'text': 'Moses had established a framework of'}, {'start': '536.800', 'end': '541.120', 'text': 'commandments, rituals, and sacrifices.'}, {'start': '539.279', 'end': '543.200', 'text': 'It was a system that governed the life'}, {'start': '541.120', 'end': '545.519', 'text': 'of Israel, shaping their worship, their'}, {'start': '543.200', 'end': '548.920', 'text': 'society, and their relationship with'}, {'start': '545.519', 'end': '551.839', 'text': 'God. But the law also revealed a deeper'}, {'start': '548.920', 'end': '553.600', 'text': 'truth. It exposed the sinfulness of the'}, {'start': '551.839', 'end': '555.279', 'text': 'human heart. It showed that no one could'}, {'start': '553.600', 'end': '557.120', 'text': 'achieve true righteousness by effort'}, {'start': '555.279', 'end': '559.360', 'text': 'alone. No one could keep the law'}, {'start': '557.120', 'end': '562.560', 'text': 'perfectly. The Apostle Paul explains'}, {'start': '559.360', 'end': '565.279', 'text': 'this clearly in Galatians 3. He writes'}, {'start': '562.560', 'end': '567.360', 'text': 'that the law was a tutor, a guide meant'}, {'start': '565.279', 'end': '569.839', 'text': 'to lead people to Christ. In Romans'}, {'start': '567.360', 'end': '572.160', 'text': 'chapter 3, he adds that by the works of'}, {'start': '569.839', 'end': '574.959', 'text': 'the law, no human being will be'}, {'start': '572.160', 'end': '577.760', 'text': 'justified in the sight of God. Through'}, {'start': '574.959', 'end': '580.160', 'text': 'the law comes the knowledge of sin. The'}, {'start': '577.760', 'end': '582.320', 'text': 'law pointed out the standard, but it'}, {'start': '580.160', 'end': '584.399', 'text': 'also showed our failure to meet that'}, {'start': '582.320', 'end': '586.880', 'text': 'standard. Then came Jesus. He did not'}, {'start': '584.399', 'end': '590.160', 'text': 'come to destroy the law or the prophets.'}, {'start': '586.880', 'end': '592.480', 'text': 'In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus makes this'}, {'start': '590.160', 'end': '594.720', 'text': 'powerful declaration. Do not think that'}, {'start': '592.480', 'end': '597.279', 'text': 'I have come to abolish the law or the'}, {'start': '594.720', 'end': '599.680', 'text': 'prophets. I have not come to abolish'}, {'start': '597.279', 'end': '601.519', 'text': 'them but to fulfill. Jesus lived the'}, {'start': '599.680', 'end': '604.320', 'text': 'perfect life that no one else could'}, {'start': '601.519', 'end': '607.360', 'text': 'live. He fulfilled every requirement of'}, {'start': '604.320', 'end': '609.279', 'text': 'the law, not only in action, but in the'}, {'start': '607.360', 'end': '611.600', 'text': 'purity of his heart. And through his'}, {'start': '609.279', 'end': '614.160', 'text': 'sacrifice on the cross, through his'}, {'start': '611.600', 'end': '616.720', 'text': 'death and resurrection, he accomplished'}, {'start': '614.160', 'end': '618.800', 'text': 'what the law could never achieve. He'}, {'start': '616.720', 'end': '621.360', 'text': 'opened the way to salvation by grace'}, {'start': '618.800', 'end': '624.079', 'text': 'through faith. The message of the gospel'}, {'start': '621.360', 'end': '625.839', 'text': 'is clear. Salvation does not come'}, {'start': '624.079', 'end': '628.399', 'text': 'through human effort or through strict'}, {'start': '625.839', 'end': '631.760', 'text': 'obedience to the law. It comes as a'}, {'start': '628.399', 'end': '636.160', 'text': 'gift, a gift of grace from God to all'}, {'start': '631.760', 'end': '638.880', 'text': 'who believe. Ephesians 2:es 8 and 9'}, {'start': '636.160', 'end': '641.120', 'text': 'declare this truth. For by grace you'}, {'start': '638.880', 'end': '643.600', 'text': 'have been saved through faith. And this'}, {'start': '641.120', 'end': '645.839', 'text': 'is not your own doing. It is the gift of'}, {'start': '643.600', 'end': '648.320', 'text': 'God, not a result of works, so that no'}, {'start': '645.839', 'end': '649.839', 'text': 'one may boast. This is the heart of the'}, {'start': '648.320', 'end': '651.920', 'text': 'new covenant. The law with all its'}, {'start': '649.839', 'end': '654.160', 'text': 'commands and required tithes was never'}, {'start': '651.920', 'end': '656.240', 'text': 'the ultimate solution. It was never the'}, {'start': '654.160', 'end': '658.399', 'text': 'final plan. It was always pointing'}, {'start': '656.240', 'end': '660.000', 'text': 'forward to something greater. It was'}, {'start': '658.399', 'end': '662.240', 'text': 'leading to the grace that would come'}, {'start': '660.000', 'end': '664.720', 'text': 'through Christ. And now under this new'}, {'start': '662.240', 'end': '667.120', 'text': 'covenant, the people of God are no'}, {'start': '664.720', 'end': '668.959', 'text': 'longer bound by the written code. They'}, {'start': '667.120', 'end': '671.120', 'text': 'are called to live by the spirit. They'}, {'start': '668.959', 'end': '674.000', 'text': 'are invited into a relationship marked'}, {'start': '671.120', 'end': '675.760', 'text': 'not by legal obligation but by love, by'}, {'start': '674.000', 'end': '677.440', 'text': 'faith, and by the freedom that grace'}, {'start': '675.760', 'end': '679.519', 'text': 'brings. This is the foundation that'}, {'start': '677.440', 'end': '682.160', 'text': 'changes how we understand giving, how we'}, {'start': '679.519', 'end': '685.279', 'text': 'understand worship and how we understand'}, {'start': '682.160', 'end': '688.079', 'text': 'our entire relationship with God. It is'}, {'start': '685.279', 'end': '690.959', 'text': 'not about meeting requirements to avoid'}, {'start': '688.079', 'end': '694.959', 'text': 'a curse. It is about responding to the'}, {'start': '690.959', 'end': '697.040', 'text': 'love and mercy we have received through'}, {'start': '694.959', 'end': '699.440', 'text': 'Jesus Christ.'}, {'start': '697.040', 'end': '702.399', 'text': 'Number five, giving under the new'}, {'start': '699.440', 'end': '704.320', 'text': 'covenant, spirit led generosity. When'}, {'start': '702.399', 'end': '706.440', 'text': 'Jesus fulfilled the law through his'}, {'start': '704.320', 'end': '708.720', 'text': 'perfect life, his death, and his'}, {'start': '706.440', 'end': '710.640', 'text': 'resurrection, the system of required'}, {'start': '708.720', 'end': '712.720', 'text': 'tithing that once governed the people of'}, {'start': '710.640', 'end': '714.560', 'text': 'Israel was brought to its completion.'}, {'start': '712.720', 'end': '716.720', 'text': 'Under the new covenant, believers are no'}, {'start': '714.560', 'end': '718.959', 'text': 'longer called to give out of obligation'}, {'start': '716.720', 'end': '721.839', 'text': 'or according to a set percentage.'}, {'start': '718.959', 'end': '723.920', 'text': 'Instead, they are invited into a higher'}, {'start': '721.839', 'end': '726.320', 'text': 'and more beautiful way of giving. A way'}, {'start': '723.920', 'end': '728.480', 'text': 'that flows not from legal duty, but from'}, {'start': '726.320', 'end': '730.079', 'text': 'the leading of the Holy Spirit. A way'}, {'start': '728.480', 'end': '732.480', 'text': 'that reflects the grace they have'}, {'start': '730.079', 'end': '734.320', 'text': 'received in Christ. The New Testament'}, {'start': '732.480', 'end': '736.560', 'text': 'makes this clear. Giving is no longer'}, {'start': '734.320', 'end': '738.880', 'text': 'about measuring out 10% as a requirement'}, {'start': '736.560', 'end': '741.839', 'text': 'to satisfy the law. It is about the'}, {'start': '738.880', 'end': '744.240', 'text': 'heart. It is about generosity that comes'}, {'start': '741.839', 'end': '748.000', 'text': 'from love, not compulsion. The Apostle'}, {'start': '744.240', 'end': '750.880', 'text': 'Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that'}, {'start': '748.000', 'end': '753.680', 'text': 'each one must give as he has decided in'}, {'start': '750.880', 'end': '755.760', 'text': 'his heart, not reluctantly and not under'}, {'start': '753.680', 'end': '758.000', 'text': 'pressure because God loves a cheerful'}, {'start': '755.760', 'end': '760.079', 'text': 'giver. This is the spirit of new'}, {'start': '758.000', 'end': '763.519', 'text': 'covenant giving. It is not driven by'}, {'start': '760.079', 'end': '766.160', 'text': 'fear. It is not motivated by guilt. It'}, {'start': '763.519', 'end': '768.560', 'text': 'is led by joy and by the desire to honor'}, {'start': '766.160', 'end': '770.880', 'text': 'God with what we have been given. The'}, {'start': '768.560', 'end': '773.120', 'text': 'example of the Macedonian believers'}, {'start': '770.880', 'end': '775.440', 'text': 'powerfully illustrates this truth. Paul'}, {'start': '773.120', 'end': '777.519', 'text': 'describes how these believers, even in'}, {'start': '775.440', 'end': '780.800', 'text': 'the midst of their own poverty, gave'}, {'start': '777.519', 'end': '782.800', 'text': 'with great generosity. They gave not'}, {'start': '780.800', 'end': '785.200', 'text': 'because they were forced, but because'}, {'start': '782.800', 'end': '787.680', 'text': 'their hearts were moved by the grace of'}, {'start': '785.200', 'end': '790.480', 'text': 'God working in them. Their giving was'}, {'start': '787.680', 'end': '793.519', 'text': 'sacrificial yet filled with joy. It was'}, {'start': '790.480', 'end': '795.839', 'text': 'a testimony of their faith and love.'}, {'start': '793.519', 'end': '798.079', 'text': 'Jesus himself pointed to the poor widow'}, {'start': '795.839', 'end': '799.680', 'text': 'who gave two small coins in the temple.'}, {'start': '798.079', 'end': '801.600', 'text': 'She did not give much by the standards'}, {'start': '799.680', 'end': '803.200', 'text': 'of men, but Jesus honored her gift'}, {'start': '801.600', 'end': '805.600', 'text': 'because it came from the depth of her'}, {'start': '803.200', 'end': '807.360', 'text': 'heart. She gave all she had, not to'}, {'start': '805.600', 'end': '809.680', 'text': 'fulfill a law, but as an expression of'}, {'start': '807.360', 'end': '811.760', 'text': 'her trust in God. This is the focus of'}, {'start': '809.680', 'end': '813.920', 'text': 'giving under the new covenant. It is not'}, {'start': '811.760', 'end': '815.920', 'text': 'about meeting percentages. It is about'}, {'start': '813.920', 'end': '817.760', 'text': 'meeting needs. It is about using what'}, {'start': '815.920', 'end': '819.600', 'text': 'God has entrusted to us to care for'}, {'start': '817.760', 'end': '822.079', 'text': 'others, to support fellow believers, to'}, {'start': '819.600', 'end': '824.000', 'text': 'help the poor, to send out missionaries,'}, {'start': '822.079', 'end': '825.839', 'text': 'and to advance the message of the gospel'}, {'start': '824.000', 'end': '828.360', 'text': 'throughout the world. The call of the'}, {'start': '825.839', 'end': '831.040', 'text': 'New Testament is a call to spirit-led'}, {'start': '828.360', 'end': '833.360', 'text': 'generosity. It is an invitation to give'}, {'start': '831.040', 'end': '835.200', 'text': 'freely, to give cheerfully, and to give'}, {'start': '833.360', 'end': '838.480', 'text': 'with faith, knowing that God is the'}, {'start': '835.200', 'end': '840.560', 'text': 'provider of all things. Giving is not a'}, {'start': '838.480', 'end': '843.920', 'text': 'transaction. It is not a payment to'}, {'start': '840.560', 'end': '846.720', 'text': 'avoid a curse. It is worship. It is love'}, {'start': '843.920', 'end': '848.680', 'text': 'in action. It is the overflow of a heart'}, {'start': '846.720', 'end': '851.839', 'text': 'that has been transformed by'}, {'start': '848.680', 'end': '854.639', 'text': 'grace. Number six, the dangers of'}, {'start': '851.839', 'end': '856.399', 'text': 'tipping misuse in the modern church.'}, {'start': '854.639', 'end': '858.320', 'text': 'Despite the clear teaching of scripture'}, {'start': '856.399', 'end': '861.040', 'text': 'on giving under grace, many churches'}, {'start': '858.320', 'end': '863.199', 'text': 'today continue to misuse and misapply'}, {'start': '861.040', 'end': '865.040', 'text': 'the concept of tithing. What was once a'}, {'start': '863.199', 'end': '867.279', 'text': 'system given specifically to the nation'}, {'start': '865.040', 'end': '869.760', 'text': 'of Israel has too often been repackaged'}, {'start': '867.279', 'end': '871.680', 'text': 'into a tool for control guilt and'}, {'start': '869.760', 'end': '873.519', 'text': 'manipulation within the modern church.'}, {'start': '871.680', 'end': '875.519', 'text': 'Instead of teaching believers to give'}, {'start': '873.519', 'end': '877.199', 'text': 'freely and cheerfully, as the New'}, {'start': '875.519', 'end': '879.440', 'text': 'Testament commands, some leaders have'}, {'start': '877.199', 'end': '881.360', 'text': 'turned giving into a burden. They have'}, {'start': '879.440', 'end': '884.240', 'text': 'turned what should be an act of worship'}, {'start': '881.360', 'end': '886.399', 'text': 'into a transaction driven by fear and'}, {'start': '884.240', 'end': '888.240', 'text': 'false promises. In many places, the'}, {'start': '886.399', 'end': '891.040', 'text': 'message of the so-called prosperity'}, {'start': '888.240', 'end': '893.040', 'text': 'gospel has taken root. This teaching'}, {'start': '891.040', 'end': '895.399', 'text': 'claims that if you give financially,'}, {'start': '893.040', 'end': '898.160', 'text': 'especially if you give to a particular'}, {'start': '895.399', 'end': '900.560', 'text': 'ministry, God will reward you with'}, {'start': '898.160', 'end': '902.320', 'text': 'material wealth, success, and abundance.'}, {'start': '900.560', 'end': '904.560', 'text': 'It presents giving not as an expression'}, {'start': '902.320', 'end': '907.279', 'text': 'of love and faith but as a means to get'}, {'start': '904.560', 'end': '909.040', 'text': 'something from God. It turns generosity'}, {'start': '907.279', 'end': '912.240', 'text': 'into a business deal rather than an act'}, {'start': '909.040', 'end': '914.880', 'text': 'of worship. This is not the gospel of'}, {'start': '912.240', 'end': '917.199', 'text': 'Jesus Christ. This is not the way of'}, {'start': '914.880', 'end': '919.279', 'text': 'grace. Others take a different approach'}, {'start': '917.199', 'end': '921.440', 'text': 'using guilt and pressure to compel'}, {'start': '919.279', 'end': '923.680', 'text': 'believers to give even when they are'}, {'start': '921.440', 'end': '925.760', 'text': 'struggling financially. Some are told'}, {'start': '923.680', 'end': '928.160', 'text': 'that if they do not give 10% of their'}, {'start': '925.760', 'end': '931.120', 'text': 'income, they are robbing God and will'}, {'start': '928.160', 'end': '934.000', 'text': 'suffer loss or live under a curse. This'}, {'start': '931.120', 'end': '936.560', 'text': 'misuse of scripture ignores the truth of'}, {'start': '934.000', 'end': '938.800', 'text': 'the new covenant and places unnecessary'}, {'start': '936.560', 'end': '941.199', 'text': 'burdens on the people of God. It leads'}, {'start': '938.800', 'end': '943.839', 'text': 'to financial strain, emotional stress,'}, {'start': '941.199', 'end': '945.600', 'text': 'and even spiritual damage. As believers'}, {'start': '943.839', 'end': '948.079', 'text': 'begin to associate their relationship'}, {'start': '945.600', 'end': '950.959', 'text': 'with God, not with grace, but with'}, {'start': '948.079', 'end': '954.040', 'text': 'performance and obligation. The Bible'}, {'start': '950.959', 'end': '957.120', 'text': 'warns clearly against this kind of'}, {'start': '954.040', 'end': '959.920', 'text': 'exploitation. Jesus himself taught, "Do'}, {'start': '957.120', 'end': '962.959', 'text': 'not store up for yourselves treasures on'}, {'start': '959.920', 'end': '965.759', 'text': 'earth where moth and rust destroy and'}, {'start': '962.959', 'end': '967.839', 'text': 'where thieves break in and steal, but'}, {'start': '965.759', 'end': '969.839', 'text': 'store up treasures in heaven." His words'}, {'start': '967.839', 'end': '971.759', 'text': 'remind us that the focus of the believer'}, {'start': '969.839', 'end': '974.240', 'text': 'should never be on accumulating wealth,'}, {'start': '971.759', 'end': '976.959', 'text': 'but on living for the eternal purposes'}, {'start': '974.240', 'end': '978.800', 'text': 'of God. Paul echoes this in his letter'}, {'start': '976.959', 'end': '981.600', 'text': 'to Timothy, declaring that the love of'}, {'start': '978.800', 'end': '983.120', 'text': 'money is the root of all kinds of evil.'}, {'start': '981.600', 'end': '985.440', 'text': 'It is not money itself that is'}, {'start': '983.120', 'end': '987.519', 'text': 'dangerous, but the obsession with it,'}, {'start': '985.440', 'end': '990.079', 'text': 'the desire to use it as a means of power'}, {'start': '987.519', 'end': '992.079', 'text': 'control or selfworth. True biblical'}, {'start': '990.079', 'end': '994.160', 'text': 'stewardship stands in direct contrast to'}, {'start': '992.079', 'end': '996.320', 'text': 'these distortion. Scripture teaches that'}, {'start': '994.160', 'end': '999.279', 'text': "providing for one's family is an"}, {'start': '996.320', 'end': '1001.759', 'text': 'essential responsibility. In 1 Timothy'}, {'start': '999.279', 'end': '1003.920', 'text': '5, Paul writes that if anyone does not'}, {'start': '1001.759', 'end': '1006.240', 'text': 'provide for his relatives and especially'}, {'start': '1003.920', 'end': '1008.079', 'text': 'for members of his own household, he has'}, {'start': '1006.240', 'end': '1010.639', 'text': 'denied the faith and is worse than an'}, {'start': '1008.079', 'end': '1012.800', 'text': 'unbeliever. Stewardship also means'}, {'start': '1010.639', 'end': '1015.279', 'text': 'living wisely, avoiding the chains of'}, {'start': '1012.800', 'end': '1017.360', 'text': 'unnecessary debt. As Proverbs tells us'}, {'start': '1015.279', 'end': '1019.440', 'text': 'that the borrower becomes the slave of'}, {'start': '1017.360', 'end': '1022.160', 'text': 'the lender. Giving should never be'}, {'start': '1019.440', 'end': '1024.400', 'text': 'motivated by fear. It should never come'}, {'start': '1022.160', 'end': '1026.319', 'text': 'from pressure or manipulation. It is'}, {'start': '1024.400', 'end': '1028.559', 'text': 'meant to be a joyful response to the'}, {'start': '1026.319', 'end': '1030.240', 'text': 'grace of God. It is an opportunity to'}, {'start': '1028.559', 'end': '1032.799', 'text': 'partner with the work of the gospel to'}, {'start': '1030.240', 'end': '1034.799', 'text': 'bless others to meet real needs and to'}, {'start': '1032.799', 'end': '1036.720', 'text': 'express trust in the Lord as our'}, {'start': '1034.799', 'end': '1038.480', 'text': 'provider. When giving becomes about'}, {'start': '1036.720', 'end': '1041.199', 'text': 'fulfilling a requirement to avoid'}, {'start': '1038.480', 'end': '1042.880', 'text': 'punishment, it loses its heart. It'}, {'start': '1041.199', 'end': '1044.640', 'text': 'becomes empty ritual instead of living'}, {'start': '1042.880', 'end': '1047.039', 'text': 'faith. But when giving flows from love'}, {'start': '1044.640', 'end': '1049.039', 'text': 'and gratitude, it reflects the very'}, {'start': '1047.039', 'end': '1051.600', 'text': 'heart of God who gave his own son for us'}, {'start': '1049.039', 'end': '1054.480', 'text': 'freely and fully. The call of the new'}, {'start': '1051.600', 'end': '1056.640', 'text': 'covenant is clear. God does not want'}, {'start': '1054.480', 'end': '1058.000', 'text': 'your money out of compulsion. He wants'}, {'start': '1056.640', 'end': '1060.240', 'text': 'your heart. And when your heart is'}, {'start': '1058.000', 'end': '1062.559', 'text': 'surrendered to him, your generosity will'}, {'start': '1060.240', 'end': '1066.160', 'text': 'naturally follow not out of obligation'}, {'start': '1062.559', 'end': '1069.039', 'text': 'but out of joy. Number seven, true'}, {'start': '1066.160', 'end': '1070.720', 'text': 'worship and financial stewardship. From'}, {'start': '1069.039', 'end': '1073.200', 'text': 'beginning to end, the message of'}, {'start': '1070.720', 'end': '1075.520', 'text': 'scripture is clear. True worship has'}, {'start': '1073.200', 'end': '1078.640', 'text': 'never been about outward rituals or'}, {'start': '1075.520', 'end': '1080.559', 'text': 'mechanical obedience. It has always been'}, {'start': '1078.640', 'end': '1082.960', 'text': 'about the heart. It has always been'}, {'start': '1080.559', 'end': '1086.160', 'text': 'about a life fully surrendered to God,'}, {'start': '1082.960', 'end': '1088.880', 'text': 'shaped by love, shaped by truth, and'}, {'start': '1086.160', 'end': '1091.200', 'text': 'shaped by a genuine desire to honor him'}, {'start': '1088.880', 'end': '1093.679', 'text': 'in every area of life. Throughout the'}, {'start': '1091.200', 'end': '1095.919', 'text': 'Old Testament, God continually called'}, {'start': '1093.679', 'end': '1098.480', 'text': 'out the emptiness of religious acts that'}, {'start': '1095.919', 'end': '1100.559', 'text': 'were performed without real devotion. In'}, {'start': '1098.480', 'end': '1102.400', 'text': 'the book of Isaiah, God rebukes the'}, {'start': '1100.559', 'end': '1104.080', 'text': 'people, saying that he has had enough of'}, {'start': '1102.400', 'end': '1105.919', 'text': 'their burnt offerings because their'}, {'start': '1104.080', 'end': '1108.000', 'text': 'hearts were far from him. In the book of'}, {'start': '1105.919', 'end': '1110.240', 'text': 'Amos, God declares that he despises'}, {'start': '1108.000', 'end': '1111.840', 'text': 'their feasts and their songs because'}, {'start': '1110.240', 'end': '1113.760', 'text': 'justice and righteousness were missing'}, {'start': '1111.840', 'end': '1116.000', 'text': 'from their lives. These were not'}, {'start': '1113.760', 'end': '1118.080', 'text': 'failures of ceremony. They were failures'}, {'start': '1116.000', 'end': '1120.080', 'text': 'of the heart. Jesus carried this same'}, {'start': '1118.080', 'end': '1122.720', 'text': 'message forward when he spoke to the'}, {'start': '1120.080', 'end': '1125.520', 'text': 'religious leaders of his day. In Matthew'}, {'start': '1122.720', 'end': '1128.160', 'text': '15, he quoted the words of Isaiah'}, {'start': '1125.520', 'end': '1131.120', 'text': 'saying, "This people honors me with'}, {'start': '1128.160', 'end': '1133.120', 'text': 'their lips, but their heart is far from'}, {'start': '1131.120', 'end': '1135.760', 'text': 'me." The issue was not that they lacked'}, {'start': '1133.120', 'end': '1137.840', 'text': 'religious activity. The issue was that'}, {'start': '1135.760', 'end': '1140.240', 'text': 'their worship was empty, disconnected'}, {'start': '1137.840', 'end': '1142.559', 'text': 'from real love for God and true'}, {'start': '1140.240', 'end': '1144.720', 'text': 'obedience to his will. When Jesus met'}, {'start': '1142.559', 'end': '1146.720', 'text': 'the Samaritan woman at the well, he'}, {'start': '1144.720', 'end': '1149.039', 'text': 'spoke one of the most powerful truths'}, {'start': '1146.720', 'end': '1150.720', 'text': 'about worship recorded in the Gospels.'}, {'start': '1149.039', 'end': '1152.960', 'text': 'He said, "The true worshippers will'}, {'start': '1150.720', 'end': '1154.799', 'text': 'worship the father in spirit and in'}, {'start': '1152.960', 'end': '1157.120', 'text': 'truth. For the father is seeking such'}, {'start': '1154.799', 'end': '1159.440', 'text': 'people to worship him." God is not'}, {'start': '1157.120', 'end': '1161.840', 'text': 'looking for performance. He is not'}, {'start': '1159.440', 'end': '1164.080', 'text': 'impressed by percentages or outward'}, {'start': '1161.840', 'end': '1166.480', 'text': 'displays. He is seeking hearts that are'}, {'start': '1164.080', 'end': '1169.440', 'text': 'alive with love for him, hearts that are'}, {'start': '1166.480', 'end': '1172.640', 'text': 'led by his spirit and anchored in his'}, {'start': '1169.440', 'end': '1174.880', 'text': 'truth. This truth extends beyond prayer'}, {'start': '1172.640', 'end': '1176.720', 'text': 'and praise. It reaches into every part'}, {'start': '1174.880', 'end': '1178.480', 'text': 'of life, including how we handle the'}, {'start': '1176.720', 'end': '1181.280', 'text': 'resources that God has placed in our'}, {'start': '1178.480', 'end': '1182.799', 'text': 'hands. Psalm 24 reminds us that the'}, {'start': '1181.280', 'end': '1185.200', 'text': "earth is the Lord's and everything in"}, {'start': '1182.799', 'end': '1187.600', 'text': 'it. All that we have comes from him.'}, {'start': '1185.200', 'end': '1189.840', 'text': 'Every possession, every opportunity,'}, {'start': '1187.600', 'end': '1192.640', 'text': 'every blessing is a trust that has been'}, {'start': '1189.840', 'end': '1194.400', 'text': 'given by his hand. Financial stewardship'}, {'start': '1192.640', 'end': '1196.480', 'text': 'is one of the ways we live out true'}, {'start': '1194.400', 'end': '1199.200', 'text': 'worship. It is not about meeting a'}, {'start': '1196.480', 'end': '1201.200', 'text': 'quota. It is about managing well what'}, {'start': '1199.200', 'end': '1203.520', 'text': 'God has provided. It is about providing'}, {'start': '1201.200', 'end': '1205.520', 'text': 'for our families as scripture teaches.'}, {'start': '1203.520', 'end': '1208.080', 'text': 'It is about supporting the work of the'}, {'start': '1205.520', 'end': '1210.640', 'text': 'gospel so that the good news of Christ'}, {'start': '1208.080', 'end': '1212.720', 'text': 'continues to reach the lost. It is about'}, {'start': '1210.640', 'end': '1215.200', 'text': 'caring for the poor, the widow, the'}, {'start': '1212.720', 'end': '1217.760', 'text': 'orphan, and those in need. It is about'}, {'start': '1215.200', 'end': '1220.080', 'text': 'living with wisdom, contentment, and'}, {'start': '1217.760', 'end': '1222.799', 'text': 'gratitude, refusing to be trapped by the'}, {'start': '1220.080', 'end': '1225.039', 'text': 'love of money or driven by materialism.'}, {'start': '1222.799', 'end': '1227.760', 'text': 'The heart of true stewardship is the'}, {'start': '1225.039', 'end': '1230.080', 'text': 'same as the heart of true worship. It is'}, {'start': '1227.760', 'end': '1232.600', 'text': 'not rooted in obligation. It is rooted'}, {'start': '1230.080', 'end': '1235.840', 'text': 'in relationship. It is not about earning'}, {'start': '1232.600', 'end': '1237.679', 'text': 'favor. It is about responding to grace.'}, {'start': '1235.840', 'end': '1239.840', 'text': 'God does not measure our worth by how'}, {'start': '1237.679', 'end': '1242.240', 'text': 'much we give. He looks at the heart that'}, {'start': '1239.840', 'end': '1244.799', 'text': 'gives. He desires faithfulness. He'}, {'start': '1242.240', 'end': '1247.840', 'text': 'desires generosity that flows from love,'}, {'start': '1244.799', 'end': '1250.200', 'text': 'not compulsion. He desires worship that'}, {'start': '1247.840', 'end': '1253.200', 'text': 'rises from a life fully surrendered to'}, {'start': '1250.200', 'end': '1256.000', 'text': 'him. This is the calling of every'}, {'start': '1253.200', 'end': '1258.960', 'text': 'believer under the new covenant. To give'}, {'start': '1256.000', 'end': '1261.360', 'text': 'freely, to live wisely, to worship'}, {'start': '1258.960', 'end': '1263.600', 'text': 'fully, to honor God, not just with'}, {'start': '1261.360', 'end': '1267.200', 'text': 'words, but with every decision, every'}, {'start': '1263.600', 'end': '1269.679', 'text': 'resource, and every act of love. Final'}, {'start': '1267.200', 'end': '1271.760', 'text': 'thought, giving freely under grace, not'}, {'start': '1269.679', 'end': '1274.159', 'text': 'under guilt. The message of scripture'}, {'start': '1271.760', 'end': '1276.799', 'text': 'could not be more clear. Under the new'}, {'start': '1274.159', 'end': '1279.120', 'text': 'covenant of grace, you are not cursed if'}, {'start': '1276.799', 'end': '1280.720', 'text': 'you do not tithe. You are not living'}, {'start': '1279.120', 'end': '1283.360', 'text': 'under the weight of the law. You are'}, {'start': '1280.720', 'end': '1285.679', 'text': 'called to live in the freedom that'}, {'start': '1283.360', 'end': '1288.039', 'text': 'Christ has purchased for you. A freedom'}, {'start': '1285.679', 'end': '1291.039', 'text': 'that invites you to give not because of'}, {'start': '1288.039', 'end': '1293.600', 'text': 'obligation, but because of love. Not'}, {'start': '1291.039', 'end': '1295.520', 'text': 'because of fear, but because of faith.'}, {'start': '1293.600', 'end': '1297.440', 'text': 'Not because you are told to meet a'}, {'start': '1295.520', 'end': '1300.000', 'text': 'certain percentage, but because your'}, {'start': '1297.440', 'end': '1303.440', 'text': 'heart desires to honor God with all that'}, {'start': '1300.000', 'end': '1305.600', 'text': 'you are and all that you are. Giving in'}, {'start': '1303.440', 'end': '1307.440', 'text': 'the eyes of God has never been about'}, {'start': '1305.600', 'end': '1310.640', 'text': 'religious duty. It has never been about'}, {'start': '1307.440', 'end': '1313.360', 'text': 'checking off a box or meeting a quota.'}, {'start': '1310.640', 'end': '1315.280', 'text': 'It has always been about worship. It has'}, {'start': '1313.360', 'end': '1317.679', 'text': 'always been about the heart. The call to'}, {'start': '1315.280', 'end': '1319.440', 'text': 'give is not a demand to earn favor. It'}, {'start': '1317.679', 'end': '1321.120', 'text': 'is a response to the favor you have'}, {'start': '1319.440', 'end': '1323.679', 'text': 'already received through the grace of'}, {'start': '1321.120', 'end': '1326.480', 'text': 'Jesus Christ. True generosity does not'}, {'start': '1323.679', 'end': '1329.440', 'text': 'flow from compulsion. It does not rise'}, {'start': '1326.480', 'end': '1331.360', 'text': 'out of guilt. It grows out of gratitude.'}, {'start': '1329.440', 'end': '1333.039', 'text': 'It springs from the joy of knowing that'}, {'start': '1331.360', 'end': '1336.000', 'text': 'everything we have is a gift from the'}, {'start': '1333.039', 'end': '1337.840', 'text': 'hand of a loving father. Jesus himself'}, {'start': '1336.000', 'end': '1340.159', 'text': 'taught that real treasure is not found'}, {'start': '1337.840', 'end': '1341.840', 'text': 'in the things of this world. The true'}, {'start': '1340.159', 'end': '1344.000', 'text': 'treasure is found in investing in the'}, {'start': '1341.840', 'end': '1346.159', 'text': 'kingdom of heaven. It is found in using'}, {'start': '1344.000', 'end': '1348.880', 'text': 'what we have been given to serve others,'}, {'start': '1346.159', 'end': '1352.559', 'text': 'to bless the work of the gospel, and to'}, {'start': '1348.880', 'end': '1356.799', 'text': 'glorify the name of God. So give as the'}, {'start': '1352.559', 'end': '1359.159', 'text': 'spirit leads you. Give with wisdom. Give'}, {'start': '1356.799', 'end': '1363.840', 'text': 'with purpose. Give with'}, {'start': '1359.159', 'end': '1367.600', 'text': 'joy. And above all give because you.'}, {'start': '1363.840', 'end': '1369.679', 'text': 'Free from fear. Free from pressure. Free'}, {'start': '1367.600', 'end': '1372.080', 'text': 'to give not because you must but because'}, {'start': '1369.679', 'end': '1374.640', 'text': 'you want to. Because your heart has been'}, {'start': '1372.080', 'end': '1376.320', 'text': 'changed by grace. If this message has'}, {'start': '1374.640', 'end': '1379.280', 'text': 'helped you understand the truth about'}, {'start': '1376.320', 'end': '1381.600', 'text': 'biblical giving and stirred your heart'}, {'start': '1379.280', 'end': '1384.000', 'text': 'toward the freedom that Christ offers,'}, {'start': '1381.600', 'end': '1386.480', 'text': 'take a moment to support this channel by'}, {'start': '1384.000', 'end': '1388.640', 'text': 'subscribing. Join us as we continue to'}, {'start': '1386.480', 'end': '1390.480', 'text': "explore the truth of God's word together"}, {'start': '1388.640', 'end': '1393.200', 'text': 'and share this message with those who'}, {'start': '1390.480', 'end': '1395.840', 'text': 'need to hear it. Thank you for watching'}, {'start': '1393.200', 'end': '1399.720', 'text': 'and may God bless you as you walk in the'}, {'start': '1395.840', 'end': '1399.720', 'text': 'freedom of his grace.'}]