"I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 a week." John D. Rockefeller
"Not only will a man rob God, but he will figure out how to take an income tax deduction for it." Anonymous
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this", says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
The Church is often criticized for speaking too often about money, after all doesn't the Bible say that the love of money is the root of all evil. Yet, everyone knows that a church, like any other organization, has bills to pay. But since we do not sell a "product", we depend solely on the generosity of the congregation.
God set up guidelines for giving throughout the Bible. What He expects is called a tithe, that is ten percent, of what we make. But given today's soaring cost of living, wages that do not keep up with expenses, and easily available debt, is the Biblical concept of the tithe still possible? What if you are on a fixed income? What if you truly could not pay all your bills if you were limited to 90% of your income?
Let's see what the Bible says about the tithe and the circumstances of faithful giving! Enjoy!
(And I apologize for no posting last week. I was on vacation, got sick and forgot to post anything.)
Genesis 14:17-20
Numbers 18:20-24
Proverbs 3:9
Matthew 23:23
Luke 18:9-14
Sneek peek at next week: Divorce and remarriage
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It may be possible for some people but not for everyone. If you are a young adult trying to make it by every day, it is a little hard to set aside 10 percent to give each month to the church. For me personally, I find it hard to give each month since I am on a fixed income and have bills to pay and rent.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all once again for your responses. tithing does seem a bit outdated in today's economy and ways of life, but I have yet to find a Scriptural excuse for that being the reason for not tithing.
ReplyDeleteTithing is a practice of life, one that has simply gone "out of style" due more to lack of spending control than lack of income. Those on fixed incomes certainly have a reasonable expectation for giving less to the Church which speaks against the idea of tithing becoming a Pharisaic law rather than an act of love.
But most people who have an income can indeed reach tithing through diligent work to change their saving and spending habits. But it must become a high priority so that a dedicated plan can be created and followed to become a tither. In any case,the goal is obedience to Jesus Christ, not through a law of the stone tablets but the law of love. Blessings, Pastor Damon