(Tithes and Offerings)

I have attended churches in many different states and denominations throughout my life. The one consistency has been “passing the plate” for the tithes … at least it was supposed to be for the tithe. But is it tithing when we give because of “need” within the church for its operations and missions, versus the tithe of obedience (10%) called for throughout scripture?

I think most people have issues with money. It has been called the “root of all evil” throughout time.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV):
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

We have mixed emotions when we deal with money. We need a certain level of money to get the things we need to live. We invest, save, spend, and work for money. Yet few people are truly comfortable with it; for ourselves there’s “not enough” and for others there’s “too much.” This is the heart of the matter: Love of money puts us into this state.

God calls us to be generous with our funds and to give to Him of our first fruits. God’s portion doesn’t come after we’ve done all the things we want to do or even need to do. We are expected to give God His first. When God is first in all things, even (or especially) finances, then money, wealth, and prosperity are recognized as being blessings from God. We give Him his tithe to be obedient. We give more to give thanks. We give to charity and for “need” above and beyond the tithe. We give to one another in times of need beyond God’s portion. God has promised to provide all that we need, and He keeps His promises.

2 Corinthians 9:6–9 (NKJV)
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

 

Author:  Lea A. Strickland, MBA CMA CFM CBM GMC
Copyright ©2012 Lea A. Strickland
All Rights Reserved

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