Tithing to God
In my last post, I talked about giving to God, specifically, giving a tithe to the Church. Tithing can be a challenging idea for many of us. As I’ve stated in a previous post, I know that many have endured financial hardship and strain lately. It simply may not be possible for you to begin giving 10 percent to God right away. But I encourage you to take a step in that direction. Perhaps you can give 2 percent or 5 percent or 7 percent. God understands where you are, and God will help you make the adjustments necessary for you to become more and more generous. Jesus saw a widow who gave her last two copper coins, and he said, “This poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44). The Lord understands your situation and is pleased when you give freely with a grateful heart. The Lord also is ready to help you make the changes in your lifestyle that will enable you to tithe. We who are blessed with more than enough money to meet our needs should consider how we can give beyond the tithe to organizations that do God’s work and change the world. When we do, we begin to understand what Jesus meant when he said, “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). We truly enjoy having money that is designated for giving; it is a source of great joy to us. Our tithes and offerings are a tangible sign of our desire to live wholly for God. They are an expression of gratitude, worship, and praise. They demonstrate that we put God first in our lives. They are an investment in God’s work through the church. And, without a doubt, they please God. (adapted from Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity) photo credit: stock.xchng