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| Just Another Blog About Tithing |
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There have been several blogs recently about tithes, and even though you all are probably tired of hearing about it, I thought I would add my two cents worth. Hopefully it won't bore you to death. 14:22 "You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, which comes forth from the field year by year. 27:30 "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD. 27:31 If a man wishes to redeem any of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it. 27:32 And all the tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff, shall be holy to the LORD. 27:33 A man shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, neither shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it, then both it and that for which it is exchanged shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed."
In Deuteronomy we are told to set aside a tenth of all that our fields produce each year. Not all of us are farmers, but I think we can apply this to anything that provides income to us. Whether it be monetary, or through gifts. We should give a tenth of everything back to God. I would also apply this to our service within the church. Using the talents that God has given us, we ought to apply at least ten percent of our time and talents to the church.
9:6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 9:7 Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 9:8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
I have had people tell me that there have been times in their lives when money was scarce, the budget tight. I have had it happen to me too. Yet, still they gave to the church, as did I. Although I may not have done it cheerfully, especially when I wondered how I was going to pay my bills. And even though I gave, I was still able to pay the bills. I have had times when there was an unexpected expense, or a bill that I had forgotten about, but there was always money there to pay for it. I have been blessed in that, but I also know that I have tried my best to give back to the church, not only by paying my tithe, but also in my service.
Some people might feel that tithing is not necessary. It is a fact that churches are run solely on the income they get from donations and tithes. The preachers, the secretary, the bills, all are paid through the tithes that come in. What the church can give back to the community, such as supporting missionaries, or helping a family in need in the community, comes from the generosity of its members. The success and failure financially of a church depends upon the giving nature of its members. Without that support, the church will not survive. As well as the financial aspect, when we give of our time and talents, we help keep the church going as well.
I feel fortunate to belong to the church that I do. I give what I can in monetary form, but I also give a lot of my time. I am not trying to pat myself on the back, but merely trying to show how important it is for the church’s members to help out physically as well. If no one took time to help organize things at church and make sure things run smoothly, the church would fail, no matter how much money it has in its coffers.
I may have not always been a cheerful giver, but I am now. I feel it is my duty and my right and my honor to give to my church. I am not only helping to support the church and its activities, but I am showing God’s love by doing it. He has blessed me with so much, I feel it is only right that I give back what I can to honor Him. And I am thrilled and excited when I get to do it. |
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23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
Deb, I just want to add this verse in the New Testament where Jesus is talking to the Pharisees, telling them this you ought to have done (tithes), not to leave out the others. Jesus says, you ought to do this. Giving my tithes (10%) is the least I can do. It is still giving. Like you said, we ought to be cheerful about it.
Pastor Aminata |
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Deb |
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October 12, 2007 at 10:13am |
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Heavenbound, thank you and God bless you as well!
Pastor Aminata, that is a good verse, and I am glad that you included it. |
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| With all that God has given us, should we really complain about 10%? Good blog Deb! |
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Deb |
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October 12, 2007 at 10:27am |
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| That's right Mike. Thanks for your comments! |
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Yeah, the word says that the worker is worthy of their wages, therefor a pastor should receive wages for his hard work. God's his employer, after all! And God owns 100% of what I have, so what's 10%? We have discovered first hand the importance of tithing, even when we think we can't afford it. Really, we couldn't afford not to! There is an incredible teacher on such things. He did a seminar recently at my church. His name is Clive Pick, and I am certain you could find him on the internet. Of course, there is a heart attitude that brings on the blessing as well.
I agree with you on the tithing thing. |
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Deb |
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October 12, 2007 at 10:51am |
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| Lara, I like what you said...We have discovered first hand the importance of tithing, even when we think we can't afford it. Really, we couldn't afford not to! I totally agree! |
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