"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
A great many churches, preachers, and individuals cite this verse in support of "tithing" or giving every Sunday so that the preacher and the building might be taken care of. But is this what this verse is actually saying? No, no it is not! Each and every single one of these people are eisegeting this verse, ripping it out of its context, and twisting it for their own sordid gain.
Let us examine the context of this verse, shall we.
What is this giving intended for? Where is it going? It is intended to
pay for a preacher to deliver a message and to line his pocket, allowing
him to purchase a million-dollar home or a jet? Is it intended to pay
for the construction of, the bills for, and the maintenance of a
building that predominantly sits empty most of the week? No! Both these
cases are the gravest errors of poor stewardship! So where, contextually, is this giving that Paul is talking about going to? Observe:
"For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, [the churches of Macedonia] gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints." (8:3-4)
"at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality." (8:14)
"For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God." (9:12)
"Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God...for your liberality of your contribution to them and to all." (9:13)
The giving that Paul is speaking of is going to supply the needs of the saints. Plural. It is not going into Paul's pocket to pay for his "services"; it is not going into Titus' pocket to pay for his "services"; and it is not going into the "local preacher's" pocket to pay for his "services."
Just as with 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, this giving is going to support the needs of the saints. Plural. This collection is going for the relief of those who are enduring through a famine, who may have lost their job due to converting to Christianity, etc. Nowhere in this passage (or any other) does it specify that this giving involves or is reduced to money! Every Old Testament passage dealing with "tithing" (Israel's taxation system) is concerned with food. Every New Testament passage eisegeted and twisted in support of giving your money to your local church to pay for the preacher and the building (face it, that is where 90% of your giving ends up) is concerned with food. What need do widows, orphans, sick, and imprisoned have with money? None! They need food; they need clothing; they need shelter.
No local preacher or local church is receiving these "bountiful gifts." They are relief efforts to supply the needs of the struggling Jerusalem church. Does your expository preacher explain these things to you? Or does he twist these passages for his own sordid gain? Christians are not supposed to give their hard-earned money in order to support a preacher. Let him follow the apostle Paul's example and support himself by getting a job. Christians are only supposed to give in order to support the needs of the saints; and there is nothing in Scripture that limits this to just those members of your own building or your own denomination! Go ahead, read the entire New Testament. I dare you! You will find no example of such shallow "love" in the New Testament. These genuine Christians had a love for all the saints, whether they agreed on every single doctrinal detail or not.
What does your love for the saints look like? Do you even care if a brother or sister in the faith is struggling? Do you bother to lift your finger? Or shrug it off as "not my concern"? Giving to support the needs of the saints involves your time, talent, and treasure. It is not merely about money. It never was. Are you gifted in an area that can help a struggling saint? Perhaps their eaves troughs need cleaned out. Perhaps they need repairing. Perhaps their windows are drafty. Where can you help? How can you help?
A believer's giving is meant to supply the needs of the saints. Plural. It is not meant to line the pockets of the preacher, paying for him to deliver a message like the Sophists before him (on which his practice is based), and it is not meant to pay for and support a building! I am sorry, but that is the epitome of being a poor steward of the things which God has blessed you with, and you are being robbed by lying preachers who are nothing more than hirelings, who only want to be preachers for the money and for the control they can wield over others. Bibilical leaders in Christ's Church are to be like the youngest member of a family and like servants (Luke 22:25-26). What authority does the youngest member of a family have? What authority does a servant have?
The Macedonian churches went beyond their ability in their desire to help the struggling Christians in Jerusalem and other locations. The Corinthians partook in this ministry. These Christians found it a joy to gives of themselves (in whatever capacity they could) to supply the needs of the struggling saints. If they were ever in need, other saints found it a joy to supply their needs. This is how the Christian life is supposed to function; a genuine love for all the saints in need, not just those who agree with you or are in your clique or inner circle of friends.
Ponder these things promptly.