THE CHURCH ISN'T THE IRS

Devotional

Day 1: Giving Flows from Grace, Not Obligation

True Christian giving is not about meeting a legal requirement or fulfilling a religious tax, but about responding to the overwhelming grace God has shown us in Christ. When we give, it should not be out of guilt, compulsion, or fear of a curse, but as an act of worship and gratitude for all that God has done for us. The old covenant tithe was a command tied to Israel’s theocracy, but in Christ, we are invited to give freely, cheerfully, and proportionally, as the Spirit leads, because our hearts have been made new by grace. [03:38]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (CSB)
"The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel pressure to give out of obligation rather than gratitude? How can you invite God to transform your motivation into one of cheerful generosity today?

Day 2: Grace-Based Giving Mirrors Jesus’ Self-Giving

Our generosity is rooted in the example of Jesus, who, though rich, became poor for our sake so that we might become rich in grace. When we give, we are reflecting the self-giving love of Christ, not trying to earn God’s favor but responding to the riches we have already received. This kind of giving is not about a set percentage or rule, but about letting the grace of God overflow in a wealth of generosity toward others, just as Christ gave Himself for us. [19:12]

2 Corinthians 8:9 (CSB)
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."

Reflection: How does remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for you change the way you view your resources and your willingness to give?

Day 3: Giving Is Worship and an Expression of Trust

Giving is not a bill to pay or a transaction to complete, but an act of worship that expresses our trust in God’s provision and our desire to invest in eternal things. When we give, we are declaring that our treasure is not in earthly possessions, but in God and His kingdom. Our offerings become a fragrant sacrifice, pleasing to God, and a tangible way to participate in His mission and show where our hearts truly lie. [37:11]

Philippians 4:16-18 (CSB)
"For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God."

Reflection: What does your current pattern of giving say about where your treasure and trust are placed? What step can you take to make your giving a more intentional act of worship?

Day 4: Generosity Supports God’s Mission and People

Throughout Scripture, giving has always been about meeting the needs of people and advancing God’s mission, whether through supporting the poor, providing for ministry, or enabling the spread of the gospel. Today, our giving may look different—covering rent, technology, or resources—but the purpose remains the same: to make ministry possible and help others encounter the grace of God. Faithful stewardship and transparency in how resources are used build trust and keep the focus on the mission, not just the money. [28:33]

Titus 3:14 (CSB)
"Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful."

Reflection: Who is someone in your church or community whose needs you could help meet this week, either directly or through your giving?

Day 5: Living from Grace, Not Legalism

The Christian life is not about checking off boxes or following a list of rules, but about living from the overflow of God’s love and grace. When we focus on grace, our obedience—including our giving—becomes a joyful response to God’s kindness, not a burdensome duty. Legalism leads to frustration and defeat, but living from grace brings freedom, gratitude, and a desire to bless others as we have been blessed. [46:28]

Romans 6:14 (CSB)
"For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace."

Reflection: Are there areas where you are living out of legalism rather than grace? How can you shift your focus to God’s love and let your actions flow from gratitude this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s teaching centered on the true nature of giving in the life of a believer, contrasting the Old Covenant system of tithing with the New Covenant call to grace-based generosity. Many of us have heard giving taught as a burdensome obligation, often with warnings of curses for those who fail to tithe. But when we look closely at Scripture, especially in the context of the covenants, we see that the tithe was a specific command for Israel, tied to their land, their priesthood, and their temple. It was never a universal law for the church or for Gentiles. The tithe functioned as a religious tax in a theocracy, supporting the Levites, the temple, and the poor. When Israel demanded a king, they added civil taxes on top of the tithe, but the sacred and the civil remained distinct.

With the coming of Christ, everything changed. Jesus fulfilled the old system, establishing a new priesthood and a new covenant. Under this new covenant, giving is no longer about obligation or compulsion, but about affection and gratitude. We are not called to give because we must, but because we may—because grace has written generosity on our hearts. Our giving is not a payment to keep God happy or to avoid a curse; it is a joyful participation in the heart of God, a response to the overwhelming grace we have received in Christ.

Giving today is grace-based, gospel-motivated, and Spirit-led. It is proportionate and planned, but never coerced. The New Testament model is that each person gives as they have decided in their heart, cheerfully and willingly. Our offerings go to support people and the mission of the gospel—meeting needs, supporting ministry, and enabling the church to reach our community and beyond. The tools may have changed from livestock and grain to microphones and rent checks, but the purpose remains the same: to help people encounter the grace of God.

Ultimately, giving is worship. It is love responding to grace, trust expressed in God’s provision, and an eternal investment in the kingdom. We are not under law, but under grace. We give not to earn blessing, but because we are already blessed. The heart of Christian giving is not legalism, but a life overflowing from the grace of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding the Context of Tithing: The tithe was a command given specifically to Israel under the Old Covenant, tied to their land, priesthood, and temple. It functioned as a religious tax to support the Levites and the poor, and was never commanded of Gentiles or the church. Applying Old Covenant tithing laws to the church today replaces grace with guilt and turns worship into taxation, which is not the heart of God for His people. [08:05]
2. Grace-Based Giving Replaces Obligation: In Christ, the old system of obligation and compulsion has been replaced by grace. Giving is no longer about checking boxes or fulfilling a law, but about responding to God’s love and generosity. When our giving flows from gratitude for what God has done, it becomes an act of worship rather than a burdensome duty. [15:12]
3. Spirit-Led, Proportionate, and Cheerful Generosity: The New Testament calls us to give as we have decided in our hearts, not reluctantly or under pressure. This means our giving is Spirit-led, proportionate to how God has prospered us, and done with joy. True generosity reflects our gratitude and trust in God, not our desire to meet a quota or impress others. [23:23]
4. Giving Supports People and Mission, Not Just Programs: Throughout Scripture, giving always served people—feeding the hungry, supporting ministry, and advancing the gospel. Today, our offerings may pay for modern tools and infrastructure, but the goal remains the same: to create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus and to meet pressing needs in our community and beyond. Faithful stewardship and transparency in how resources are used build trust and keep the focus on mission, not money. [29:19]
5. Giving as Worship and Eternal Investment: Giving is an act of worship, a fragrant offering pleasing to God. It is love responding to grace, trust expressed in God’s provision, and an investment in things that last beyond this life. Under grace, we give not to avoid a curse, but because we are already blessed. Our generosity is the echo of Christ’s self-giving, and it is meant to flow from a heart transformed by grace, not from guilt or legalism. [37:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Why Preaching on Giving Isn’t Negative
[02:09] - The Misuse of Malachi and the Tithe
[03:14] - Paul’s Teaching on Generosity
[05:32] - What Was the Old Covenant Tithe?
[07:00] - Multiple Tithes and Their Purposes
[08:39] - Why the System Changed: From Theocracy to Monarchy
[10:58] - Jesus and the Separation of Taxes and Offerings
[12:52] - The End of the Tithe and the New Covenant
[15:12] - Grace-Based Giving: From Obligation to Affection
[18:34] - What Giving Looks Like Now
[23:23] - Proportionate and Planned Giving
[26:07] - What Our Giving Supports Today
[32:28] - Faithful Stewardship and Transparency
[34:58] - Giving as Worship and Heart Response
[41:28] - The Heart of Generosity and Invitation to Grace
[47:43] - Closing Prayer and Living from Grace

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (CSB) — > The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

Malachi 3:8-10 (CSB) — > “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!”
> “How do we rob you?” you ask.
> “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.”

1 Corinthians 16:2 (CSB) — > On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, what is the attitude God desires in our giving? How does Paul contrast reluctant or pressured giving with cheerful giving?
In the Old Testament, what was the purpose of the tithe for Israel, and who was it intended to support?
How does the New Testament describe the way believers should decide what to give?
What are some of the practical things that giving supports in the church today, according to the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that applying Old Covenant tithing laws to the church today “replaces grace with guilt and turns worship into taxation.” What does this mean, and why is it important for our understanding of giving?
How does the idea of “grace-based giving” change the motivation behind our generosity compared to giving out of obligation or fear?
The sermon mentions that giving is “worship” and an “eternal investment.” In what ways does this perspective challenge or affirm your previous understanding of giving?
Paul teaches that giving should be “proportionate” and “planned.” What might this look like in real life for different people in the church?

Application Questions

Have you ever felt pressured or guilty about giving in church? How did that affect your attitude toward generosity? How might understanding grace-based giving change your experience?
The sermon says, “If that’s your spirit and your heart, I’ll be one of the few pastors that will tell you, don’t write the check. Just keep it in the bank. Hold on to it. Because God loves a cheerful giver.” What would it look like for you to give cheerfully, and what might need to change in your heart or habits to get there?
Think about your current giving—whether it’s money, time, or resources. Is it more out of habit, obligation, or gratitude? What’s one step you could take to make your giving more of a response to God’s grace?
The sermon highlights that giving supports people and mission, not just programs. Can you think of a time when your giving (or someone else’s) directly impacted a person or ministry? How does this shape your view of where your resources go?
The pastor said, “Giving is trust expressed. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What does your current pattern of giving say about what you value most? Is there an area where you sense God inviting you to trust Him more?
The message encourages transparency and faithful stewardship in the church. How important is it to you to know how church resources are used? How can you be part of building trust and keeping the focus on mission, not just money?
The sermon ends with a call to live from grace, not legalism. What’s one practical way you can remind yourself this week that you are already blessed, and let your generosity flow from that place?

Sermon Clips

Our giving isn't a payment. We're not supposed to get up on Sunday morning and be like, honey, write the check. You've got to pay the church. If that's your spirit and your heart, I'll be one of the few pastors that will tell you, don't write the check. Just keep it in the bank. Hold on to it. Because God loves a cheerful giver. It's not about a payment. It's participation in the heart of God. [00:14:49] (26 seconds) #CheerfulGiverHeart

Today our materials, our means, our microphones, screens, rented rooms, but the purpose is the same. It's using earthly tools for eternal impact. So when Jesus says, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar, He's keeping the balance. Taxes maintain society. Offerings advance the gospel. [00:32:07] (18 seconds) #EternalImpactTools

Grace doesn't lower the bar, it raises it. We don't give by law, we give by love. So, under the law, they gave to avoid a curse. I'm sorry if you've ever heard it preached at you that you're going to be under a curse for not tithing. I have heard that preaching. It was told to me in a congregation, if I didn't tithe, I'd be under a curse. That is ignorant, it is out of context, it is not true. Under grace, we give because we are already blessed. [00:40:29] (30 seconds) #GraceRaisesTheBar

The Old Covenant said you must give. The New Covenant says you may give because your heart is new. When Jesus took the curse of the law He removed fear from giving. Now generosity is not an act of debt, it's an act of devotion. [00:41:11] (16 seconds) #NewHeartNewGiving

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