Be Ye Separate

Tithing

Blessings!

   I will get right down to the point on this one:)

   We have found throughout our journey that Christian folks are either adamant about tithing or they don't want to talk about it. I will be the first to agree that tithing is a good thing. We have seen, first hand, the blessings that flow from obedience to the Word.

   Through our studies we have also come to realize that what God wants from us is what is important. Yes, money IS an important thing in our lives. Oh, I'm not talking about "worshipping" it, but it IS very important in this day and age. No longer do we barter for needed goods. (5 lbs of cheese in exchange for 5 lbs of meat etc).

   Tithing is giving a certain percentage (the bible says 10%) out of what we have. In biblical times it wasn't just money. It might have been 10% of their harvest, animals, gold and so on. And it wasn't intended for a "church" either. It was intended to further Gods work through the giving from those who could afford it to those who needed. Even those that could not "afford" tithed what they had.

   Our family does tithe. It's not always money though. We tithe some money for missions work, charitable things that we are certain are definitely going to those that need not the administrations, and even time. We give our time to helping in areas that benefit the hearts and souls (as well as the physical needs) of those in need. Volunteering at the mission to help feed and clothe those who cannot provide enough for themselves. Willingly helping our neighbors even if they don't ask for it. We don't do these things for a pat on the back, we do them because our Father in Heaven asks us to tithe what we treasure. Something we treasure is time. Time is something that most folks will say they have "none" or have "not enough" of.

   How many times have you said yourself, "If I only had the time". Folks ask us all the time how we accomplish all that we do in a days time. And when we tell them how they say they are so busy that they just don't have the kind of time we have. Oddly, when we tithe our time, we seem to have more of it! Just like those who faithfully tithe money they always tell us how they always seem to have more of it!

   God blesses each of us in His own way. Sometimes it's something as subtle as time, family, friends, kind words, sometimes it's money, a good move, a great job:) God never said that we shouldn't "have" He said we should "give". He said to do things in "secret" not for gain or for attention but to do it in His Name and quietly so we don't take the attention from Him.

   I'm afraid I don't paraphrase very well:P But I think you get it:)

   So the next time you whince when the pastor calls for a tithe or extra offering, or when you go over your bills and realize that tithing the money just doesn't seem like it will work, remember that your time is precious. It's something that many of us don't WANT to give away. It just might be worth more to Him than your coins:)

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

Amen!

{ 10:42, Monday, May 21, 2007 } { Posted by Jonash2004 }

My dh has always tithed faithfully of his money. Years ago we became discouraged that our church was using our money to replace perfectly good carpet for that of a different color, and to put up flat screens to hold scrolling announcements.

So, we started to tithe to other ministries (mainly non-profit) that we feel more directly reaches to the lost, and now we are going to a church that is simple and beautiful and we tithe there as well.

I think an important part of tithing is listening to God.

Ashley

Untitled Comment

{ 17:49, Monday, May 21, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

Your last two post really touched me, thank you for your thoughts.
Kitty