Done with the Law: Why Grace Changes the Way We Give

Followers of Christ are no longer under the Old Testament Law, meaning our giving must flow entirely from love rather than legal obligation. For many believers, the transition from legalistic constraints to New Covenant freedom remains a misunderstood theological area. Upholding this distinction is not a minor preference. It is an essential pillar of the original Gospel message preserved for the saints.

BRAZAAR & VERSE

Below is a breakdown of why this shift matters and how it redefines our relationship with God.

Foundation: The Scriptural Reality

The New Testament clearly marks the expiration of the Mosaic Law as a binding legal code for the Church.

• Romans 10:4 establishes that Christ is the absolute culmination of the law, bringing righteousness to everyone who believes.
• Galatians 3:23-25 explains that the law acted as a temporary guardian until faith came. Now that faith has arrived, we are no longer under that guardian.
• Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14 affirm that Jesus canceled the legal debts and regulations that stood against us, nailing them permanently to the cross.

Analysis: Freedom vs. Obligation

Understanding this shift requires analyzing the root mechanics of the two covenants. The Old Covenant relied on institutional enforcement and explicit mandates, such as the mandatory tithe, to sustain its system. Conversely, the New Covenant operates on an entirely transformed internal landscape.

When you give because a rule demands it, you fulfill a contract. When you give because you are driven by the Spirit, you mirror the character of God. True Christian doctrine eliminates the fear of legal condemnation, replacing mandatory percentages with cheerful, open-handed generosity.

Illustration: The Shift in Motive

Think of the difference between an employee paying a mandated fee and a parent buying a gift for their child.

• The Employee: Pays a parking fee at work simply to avoid getting a ticket. There is no joy, no relationship, and no love involved—it is a transactional necessity.
• The Parent: Spends money on a child's birthday present out of pure delight. No government law forces the parent to buy the gift. The expenditure is dictated entirely by a loving relationship.

Under the Law, giving was a tax to avoid a penalty. Under Grace, giving is a gift fueled by a relationship.

Teaching: Safeguarding the Gospel

Maintaining the purity of this distinction is an acts-of-defense priority for the Church. Jude 1:3 urgently commands believers to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people.

Mixing the Law with Grace dilutes the Gospel message. If we tell believers they are saved by grace but must still live under the legalistic compulsion of the Law to please God, we create a contradictory message. Proclaiming true freedom means teaching that Christ's sacrifice was completely sufficient.

Heart-Application: How Do We Give Today?

Living under grace does not mean we give less; it usually means we give more creatively and sacrificially.

Examine your own heart motives this week. Ask yourself: Am I giving out of guilt, habit, or fear of missing out on a blessing? Or am I giving as a joyful response to the overwhelming grace I have received? Let your financial decisions be guided by the Holy Spirit and a genuine love for God's kingdom, completely free from legalistic pressure.

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Be blessed beyond!

Chris N. Braza

The Divine Table: Cura Animarum, Feed Your Soul.