Session 5
What About the Tithe?
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” Galatians 3:13
Open (5 minutes)
What were you taught about giving when you were growing up? How did it make you feel?
Read together
Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 18:9-14; Galatians 3:13. The teaching is at wordsoftheapostle.com/teaching.php?t=tithe
Talk about it
- Israel had more than one tithe. Why might that surprise people today?
- Who was Malachi speaking to, and where was the tithe supposed to go?
- In Luke 18, the man who tithed the most went home lost. What was Jesus teaching?
- If freedom from the tithe law is not freedom from giving, what is it freedom from?
Remember this
The tithe was part of God’s promise with Israel. Jesus took the curse of the Law on Himself. You do not give to escape a curse. You give because you are free.
Pray
Father, free us from fear about money, and fill us with love that gives.
This week
Pray before you give anything this week. Ask God what love would give.
Leader tip: be hard on rules and gentle with people. Some in your group may have carried these burdens for years. Let them talk.