Giving for some strange reason has been somewhat contentious recently, anyway, it was a bit problematic during the early church, and should have been clearer after these many years. For many of these new believers and some converts from Judaism, giving in the New testament was strange; it wasn't out of compulsion or duty anymore like the Pharisees used to demand understand the Levitical priesthood, no, it was now out of generosity and a freewill. Giving in the New testament is first giving yourself away to the Lord, and then giving from whatever God has blessed you with. Paul says; "whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have." 2Cor 8:12. You shouldn't be compelled or forced to give under the New testament, it should come freely from the heart. In the New testament pattern of giving, we understand that; "..God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2Cor 9:8. All that we have now came from God and we give first because we love him in return and love people he made in his image that might be in need. Halleluyah!
