Friends,
It was supposed to snow 4-8 inches last night U.P. here, but we got nothing... yet. Pray for my wife's road trip, please, as I stay here to live and guard the old homestead with my faithful dog, "Deuce" the Rotty. But we live in a low crime area -- and very Conservative with hard working country folk. Unfortunately, he [Deuce, the Rottweiler] passes gas too often, and I have to kick him out of the room... he has no shame...LOL! Sometimes we have to open a door or window to let in some fresh air... sorry. Terri says that we must not give him our human food anymore, especially pork. We love pork and beef, but I need my veggies and fruit most of all.... diet.
And that subject brings me to Tithing. I think, when ever we attack another subject, it's well to find out the origin of the word/ subject, so we look it up in one of our many great books in our library. I consider a large library as a mountain of wealth! You can even go to Good Will and find many GREAT, informative books, Bibles, and college, law books there. Or the PC will do just as well.
The word Tithe, stands for 1/10th of something, and alludes to the Old Jewish Law Covenant that Jehovah --Father God, gave to the Israelites on the mountain @ Exodus, chapter 20, verse 1 ....and onward. Each of the 12 tribes had an inheritance, or land parcel, except the Levites who were the priestly group that was in charge of sacrificing things/ animals to God. So because they did not have the land to raise crops/ farming, etc., God told all the rest of the tribes to give 1/10th of everything they had to the Levites [tribe].. simple, and that is how they survived and lived. But Christians are NOT under the Old Law Covenant! We live under the NEW LAW COVENANT, instituted by Jesus! So the question of 'How much ought we to give?' Some folks feel/ figure that 10 % is a good place to start, but it's really up to your heart, and "God loves a cheerful giver." Reading the book of Acts will also help you get a more rounded idea of giving to the Church [Congregation] to pay for maintenance of the building, utilities, helping the pastor and his family to live, etc. If the preacher is not teaching the pure content of the Bible, I won't donate one penny, and certainly consider leaving that so-called "church.' Really!
Please pray for my cousin, Wanda Jane Becker, from Hays, KS and her family, who just lost her mother a few days ago. I am sure that this is a hard time for her and the rest of the family. I know what it's like to lose a loved one. Those who have the responsibility to TEACH have a strict, serious, heavy load upon their shoulders, to teach the PURE TRUTH of the Bible, and NOT the traditions of men or human opinions !! I know of some 'pastors' who loved to infuse their own personal preferences and ideas into the scriptures -- which is wrong! They even refused to speak the clear and concise words/ terms of the KJV Bible, as they thought they was too vulgar -- as if their OWN terms were more holy or sanctified, more correct! Shame! I say, 'when in doubt, go back to the original Hebrew and Greek !'
Warm Regards,
Tom Schuckman
tschuckman@aol.com
Tithing Vs. Paying Debts
Q. I am trying to balance tithing vs. paying off debt. My question to you is, do I not tithe at all, and focus all my available funds towards debt? Do I split the debt payments and tithing? Or do I tithe 10% and use what’s left over pay towards debt?
A. This is a much more complex question than it appears to be because it goes to philosophy and motive, not just action.
First, the philosophy. One purpose of tithing is to teach us that God has an abundance of money and is a generous giver to those who give generously to His work. (Luke 6:38) He wants us to have an abundance mentality, which means we’re to believe there’s no limit to His ability to see to our needs. Remember, He said, “I have come so that they can have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Your question reveals that like most people, you have a scarcity mentality. That means you believe there’s only a certain amount of money available to you and you have to find a way to make it go around. This is the opposite of an abundance mentality, and it stems from the belief that you and you alone are responsible for the money you get. But both Luke 6:38 and 2 Cor. 9:10-11 tell us that God can influence the flow of money that comes to us, and that generous giving is the key to increased financial well being.
Next comes the motive. Tithing is meant to be an expression of our gratitude for what God has already given us. It’s not something we do in the hope of making our future better. If you are sincerely thankful for what the Lord has given you, regardless of your current circumstances, then tithing is your way of saying thanks. Seeing that you’re grateful for what He’s already given you, the Lord will bless you with more.
But withholding our tithe, or giving with an expectation of future blessing, reveals that our true motivation is greed, and short circuits the process.
This is all summed up in Proverbs 11:24-25.
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
If you’re grateful for what you’ve already received, then give generously to the Lord’s work without expectation of future gain. This will release Him to be more generous with you in return.
A. This is a much more complex question than it appears to be because it goes to philosophy and motive, not just action.
First, the philosophy. One purpose of tithing is to teach us that God has an abundance of money and is a generous giver to those who give generously to His work. (Luke 6:38) He wants us to have an abundance mentality, which means we’re to believe there’s no limit to His ability to see to our needs. Remember, He said, “I have come so that they can have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Your question reveals that like most people, you have a scarcity mentality. That means you believe there’s only a certain amount of money available to you and you have to find a way to make it go around. This is the opposite of an abundance mentality, and it stems from the belief that you and you alone are responsible for the money you get. But both Luke 6:38 and 2 Cor. 9:10-11 tell us that God can influence the flow of money that comes to us, and that generous giving is the key to increased financial well being.
Next comes the motive. Tithing is meant to be an expression of our gratitude for what God has already given us. It’s not something we do in the hope of making our future better. If you are sincerely thankful for what the Lord has given you, regardless of your current circumstances, then tithing is your way of saying thanks. Seeing that you’re grateful for what He’s already given you, the Lord will bless you with more.
But withholding our tithe, or giving with an expectation of future blessing, reveals that our true motivation is greed, and short circuits the process.
This is all summed up in Proverbs 11:24-25.
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
If you’re grateful for what you’ve already received, then give generously to the Lord’s work without expectation of future gain. This will release Him to be more generous with you in return.
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