Yes, Paul's teaching on Jesus' humility is directly relevant to Christian giving as the ultimate example of selfless sacrifice, motivating believers to give freely under grace, not legalistic tithing.
Les Feldick shows that Jesus, though equal with God, became a slave and gave up all material wealth, setting the pattern for believers to give sacrificially. Because of this, Paul instructs Christians to give as the Lord has prospered them, without a mandated percentage, but out of a heart transformed by grace. This humility moves believers to give willingly, even from poverty, as seen in the Macedonian churches.
Philippians 2:6-7 — These verses describe Jesus' humility in becoming a servant, which Paul uses as the basis for Christian selflessness and giving.
2 Corinthians 8:9 — Paul explicitly connects Christ's poverty with the principle of giving, urging believers to follow His example.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, though He was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). This humility is further highlighted in 2 Corinthians 8:9, where Paul writes that 'though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.' These passages reveal Christ's voluntary self-emptying and sacrificial giving as the ultimate standard. In terms of giving, the Bible does not mandate a specific percentage for New Testament believers. Instead, it instructs believers to give as they have been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Law of Moses required tithing, and Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek as a guideline, but the New Testament emphasizes giving from the heart under grace, not under compulsion.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus' humility, as described in Philippians 2, is the supreme example for believers, especially in the matter of giving. He emphasizes that Jesus, as God, owned everything, yet He became a slave, possessing no material goods. This ultimate sacrifice demonstrates the attitude believers should have when giving—one of complete selflessness and surrender. Les clarifies that under grace, Christians are not under the Old Testament law of tithing. Instead, they are to give as the Lord has prospered them, freely and without legal obligation. He uses the example of the Macedonian believers, who, though extremely poor, gave generously to the Jewish saints in Jerusalem, showing that true giving flows from a heart transformed by God's grace, not from external mandates.
Les Feldick points to Jesus Christ, who, being in the form of God, made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant. He went from owning everything to having nothing, even becoming a slave. This demonstrates the greatest act of humility and self-giving.
No, according to Les Feldick, believers today are not under the Old Testament law of tithing. Tithing was part of the Law given to Israel, specifically for the tribe of Levi. Under grace, Christians are free to give as the Lord has prospered them, without a set percentage. However, the tithe serves as a guideline, but it is not a mandate.
Christians should give willingly and cheerfully, according to what they have prospered, led by the Holy Spirit. Paul did not command a specific amount but encouraged giving as an act of grace. The Macedonian believers, though poor, begged for the privilege of giving, showing that the right heart attitude is more important than the amount.
Jesus' Humility as a Servant
Les points out that Jesus, though equal with God, became a slave with no material possessions, demonstrating ultimate humility that serves as the model for giving.
No Mandate to Tithe
Les explains that believers are not required to give 10% but are to give freely as God has prospered them, following Christ's example of gracious giving.
Grace-Based Giving
Les highlights that giving is not legalistic but based on how the Lord leads, as seen in the Macedonian churches who gave out of deep poverty.
Tithing Belongs to the Law
Les clarifies that tithing was part of the Law and given only to Levi, so Christians are no longer under the tithe, but should give under grace.
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
You know I tell people all the time, you on your prayer knees better thank God for this little Jew who was willing to suffer all the things that a human being can suffer in order to get the Gospel to you and I as Gentiles. Oh that verse we use so often, let's look at it again.
Giving as Prospered
Les reiterates that the guideline of 10% is not a mandate, and believers are to give as the Lord has prospered them, free from legal bonds.
Why the Rapture Is a Secret Most Christians Miss - Romans 16:25 Explained
And I dare say that if we could ask some of our Jewish friends whether they teach tithing today, I�d be very surprised if they would say yes, because they too do not know who the Levites are, and so I just have to doubt that good Jewish people still tithe. Now Paul doesn�t use the word tithe, because that was part of the Law, but that doesn�t say God doesn�t expect you to give.
Poor Churches Gave Generously
Les demonstrates that even poor converts gave sacrificially to help Jewish believers, showing that grace transforms hearts to give generously.
Philippians 2:6-7: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
This verse directly describes the humility of Christ, which Paul presents as the example for believers.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Paul explicitly connects Christ's poverty with the principle of gracious giving.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2: Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Paul instructs believers to give as they have been prospered, not under a fixed percentage.
2 Corinthians 8:1-4: Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
This passage shows the Macedonians' sacrificial giving, even in poverty, which Paul uses as an example of grace-driven giving.
No, according to Les Feldick, tithing was part of the Old Testament Law and specifically for the tribe of Levi. Under grace, believers are not under the mandate of a set percentage. Instead, they are encouraged to give as the Lord has prospered them, willingly and cheerfully.
Jesus' humility is the ultimate example for believers. He gave up all His riches, becoming poor, to provide spiritual riches for us. This inspires believers to give sacrificially and selflessly, not out of compulsion but out of love and gratitude.
The Macedonian churches, though very poor, gave generously and begged Paul to receive their contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Their giving was motivated by grace and a desire to serve others, not by any obligation under the law.
Watch the Teaching: Are Christians Required to Tithe? 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 Explained