The Heart of Giving

.... In the temple in the days of Jesus, collections were received in a treasury room, in a large wooden chest with a hole bored in its lid. This custom began in response to an earlier abuse from the Old Testament priests themselves (2 Kings 12:7-10). In monetary terms the new system worked well, for the money was only counted when the chest was full. This indicates that the ministers were not living from offering to offering, nor counting the available funds in time to make payroll, but always seemed to have an abundance on hand.

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.... Also, for the most part, the people were self-motivated in their giving. If the offerings ever dwindled and it became a problem, instructions were given as a reminder (as in Malachi 3:7-12). But the entire approach made the need for public appeals rare. Through this approach, the offense involved in receiving offerings was removed. Yet something was still missing, and Jesus demonstrated what it was. The missing element was Himself.

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.... As He ministered in the temple, Jesus made it His custom to teach the people from the treasury. He purposely availed His presence in order to make a point, and watched as the people gave their offerings (John 8:20). Rather than counting their gifts, He observed their hearts before the Lord: for those who honored Him and trusted with all of their heart, He intended to honor in return (Mark 12:41-44; Acts 10:31). True Christian giving displays a loving connection between the Lord and each person, that will naturally bring His favor:

.... "And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ‘for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.’ Then Jesus went with them."

(Luke 7:4-6)

.... At its heart, tithing is an act of worship to honor the Lord; and in recognition of this, Paul later modified his stance and decided to receive offerings again for the sake of the givers themselves (2 Corinthians 9:12; Philippians 4:17,18). Through this, he returned our attention to Jesus Himself that we might imitate a Christlike quality in our giving:

.... "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

(2 Corinthians 8:9)