17. It is the obedience that comes from faith that brings the reward

To prosper financially costs TIME, not MONEY! It takes a relationship with Jesus, not just a formula. It’s easier on the flesh to have a percentage to give – there is no responsibility to wait on God and get His Word for your giving. But it is only as we give over all control of our finances and then commit to seeking God for how to handle them, that He is able to move us into a position (physical or spiritual) where we are able to freely receive what He’s already bought for us – and cover what we need or have asked for according to His riches in glory.

Giving time to God is more financially productive than giving money. But it’s easier to give money than it is to give time. It’s easier to live by formulas than it is to live in this relationship with Him … It’s the relationship more than what you give which will produce the prosperity in your life which already has your name on it.

(Jim Martin – Prioritize for Prosperity? Audio message #26 from ‘Biblical Prosperity series, available at: http://jmmgrace.com/teachings4.html )

Yes, those who teaching tithing are right in one aspect - it’s all about obedience, alright – but obedience to the personal voice of God to us (through the Holy Spirit and our own spirits), not any external regulations. As Jesus’ mother said to the wedding servants, ‘Whatever he says to you, do it’ (John 2:5). This is the obedience that comes from faith (Rom 1:5), for which the ancients were commended and held up as an example for us (Heb 11:2, 39).

In the famous chapter of the ‘heroes of the faith’ (Hebrews 11), the faith of each person led them to act on specific instructions given to them. Notice here that there was no set ‘formula for success’ or reward, or for receiving God’s promises, other than faith in God (Heb 11:6); their obedience required completely different things from each one. Noah built an ark (v 7); Abraham moved to a foreign country (v 8-9); Moses faithfully kept the Passover (v 28); the people of Israel marched around the walls of Jericho for 7 days (v 30), etc. And, as noted earlier, in contrast to the Law given later, in none of the records of the Patriarchs, does it seem that their giving or tithing was central or even necessary for them to obtain or sustain great wealth.

This is also what we see in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. They had left all to follow Jesus. Yet as they acted on his specific instructions to them, they never lacked. For instance, when they needed to pay a tax bill, Jesus gave Peter specific fishing instructions (Matt 17:24-27), When Jesus sent the 72 out with specific instructions, including going without purse, sandals or bag, they never lacked (Luke 22:35, cf Luke 10:1-12). And again Peter, James and John prospered when Peter let down the nets at Jesus’ command and caught an unusually large number of fish (Luke 5:1-10).

In all these examples, it is notable that each person’s obedience to God’s specific instructions to them cost them not just some material or financial resources, but represented a significant sacrifice of their lives. This is the context of the hundredfold return (Mark 10:29-30) – the sowing of our whole lives – not just a portion of our money.

So we find a return in the New Testament period to the same principles that were operating before the law – faith in God’s promise – and the obedience that comes from that - leading to prosperity. God’s promise is the same for us today - if, as with these examples above, we put God and His calling on our life first, and listen to and obey the personal word of the Lord to us, He will supply all of our needs (Matt 6:33).

If there is a ‘recipe’ – if there is a formula for prosperity and success in any area, this would be it. This is the truly eternal and universal principle – whatever he says to you, do it - not the mere giving of a particular percentage of your income.