Saturday, May 10, 2014

To Tithe or Not to Tithe?

I was having a problem getting an answer to my question.  I wanted, no, needed to know, if I'm having a difficult time financially how do I tithe 10 %.  I was told, I can't tell you what to do but, I know that I have to tell you to tithe. I was under a real financial strain and this answer was just not good enough.    

I read different theological commentaries on the subject, and the answers varied. Some say tithe 10% no matter what. Even if your bills are over due, even if you need to put food on the table, even if your electricity is going to get cut off, even if your rent needed to be paid, even if...  The other response was that God does not want you to be in the dark, hungry, cold, or homeless. What kind of loving God would want that? Another response was tithing is Old Testament Law and we are no longer under the law because of Christ Jesus.    

One day while praying the scriptures, I prayed John 16:13 "But when, he the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth" and knew that I will know the answer in my heart when I read it, hear it or see it.  I began by reading scriptures on borrowing and lending.  I am a perpetual giver, this propensity to give has often caused me to find myself in a whole.  I will give out of my savings, my stash, my lack. Sounds very Christian like doesn't it? Well in studying, I found that it is not.  I got it all wrong.  Proverbs 3:28; tells us Do not say to your neighbor, Go and come back tomorrow and I will give it WHEN YOU HAVE IT with you, Proverbs 3:23 tells us; Do not withhold any good from THOSE WHO DESERVE IT and WHEN IT IS IN YOUR POWER to act. Hebrews 13:16 tells you to share what we have, it does not say share what we DON'T have.      

So, in studying and meditating on the word, I have understood in my heart that my issue or misunderstanding is not with tithing but with lending and giving when I really don't have.  My issue is lending and not getting a return.  The scripture tells us to lend, hoping for nothing in return.  It doesn't mean that you should not be paid back, it means that you should not expect rewards or accolades for doing good and if it is not returned then don't hope for it back...in other words, it just became a gift (Luke 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you...) The Old Testament speaks of lending with interest, something we should NEVER do to family, but business is another issue. Business is business and family is family. Deuteronomy 23:19 tells us; You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.  You may charge a foreigner interest...    

What has all this to do with tithing? Well my perceived lack and inability to tithe had me wondering where did my money go? Why am I not able to give to the church and charity like I would like to and in keeping with the scriptures.  Besides the change in economy...why is my financial situation so dire? Is it because I am giving/lending outside of God's teaching.  Am I giving/lending because of other people's inconsideration, emergency, lack of preparation, irresponsibility, greed and unrighteousness. I read a sermon and the Pastor made a valid point.  He said, the word says GIVE, not GIVE UNTIL YOU ARE BLED DRY!  He said, ask yourself, who am I giving to, how am I serving the person, and am I giving because the person refuses to work or wants to satisfy their own indulgences? Am I supporting their behavior by giving what is mine?    

This is what I understood the Spirit of truth saying in my heart.  Jesus came to fulfill the law (Sermon on the Mount), not change it or replace it.  God does not withhold any good thing from me and I should not from Him.  It is OK to give as I have decided in my heart (2 Cor 9:7), to give with the heart of the woman who only had two coins to give.  Give with a Christian heart of love but use wisdom and grace.  The message here is to give, if you cannot give 10%, give what you can before bills or anything else. Decide in your heart a designated amount, then give the rest in time, volunteer at the church or charitable organization, give unwanted clothing, goods etc.  God wants our first fruits.  Our first thoughts in the morning is to be of Him in prayer, our first day of the week in worship, and our first fruits of increase.    

So I have decided with the Lord’s help, that for now I will give a designated amount, off the top, on a consistent basis, and then when my finances improve, in the words of financial consultant, Dave Ramsey, I will give like I never gave before!

I thank God because, this was a burden I was carrying and I needed rest (Matthew 11:28).