We had a great small group last night as we are working on an Andy Stanley video series. One of the questions that came up was tithing and giving?
What are your thoughts?? Do you give the 10% that is mentioned in the Bible? Do you give more so that you are able to be stretched by God. Do you give as a form of worship or because its a requirement?
I want to give more. Not just money to the church, to others in need, whether its time or money to others. Do you think God is concerned more about the actual amount of money or what your heart is doing?
It was a great conversation and I heard several points of views.. I just want to give. There will always be people in need who have less than me. As much as I love to be comfortable with "things", I'm ready to be different.
How are you giving???
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That is always a touchy subject with most church people anyway!! This is what I have decided about tithing. I tithe my 10%. It is not an requirement for me but it is a form of worship and thanks. Even though I am not being hit that hard right now by the recession, I have already determined that no matter the outcome, God will always get His first. I do try to give above and beyond my 10% be it time, money, talents, etc. I like to pick projects or people to help. I think we let ourselves off the hook when we throw a 20 in the offering plate with the intention of letting the church take care of it. I try to get involved in what ever area I can in my church and if they need my money then I will help with that too. As my pastor always says, "I am trying to get something from you but trying to get something to you."
I want to be a cheerful giver but sometimes there is just this fear of what if I dont have enough for the big stuff?? Im sure thats a natural feeling but what doesnt say much for my trust in God
I hear you....but the great thing is, when you are obedient with your tithe, then God has to be faithful to get us through. I have a friend who is a single mom, going to school and didn't have enough to pay her electric bill and tithe but she decided to tithe and then when she went to talk to the power company about her bill she found out that someone came and paid it for her. She has no idea who it was, but it showed me that God is faithful as long as we are obedient!
I love stories like that. God has always been faithful
Stephen and I tithe 10% for pretty much the reason that Angela mentioned. We want to acknowledge that God is the giver of all things, so the LEAST we can do is give Him 10%. We also give in other ways, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas, when there are needy families. We don't make a lot, but we always pay our tithe first at the beginning of the month, so we're not tempted to withhold from God that which is already His!
Always pay your 10% or "first fruits" and you will be pleasantly surprised in how God moves in your life. TRUST me and HIM in this commandment! You will be truly blessed :)
Mike and I give, but we do not specifically tithe 10%. We also are very active in giving our time, money and talents to all God's children - any way that we can. I have several pet projects that are near and dear to my heart.
God and I have had a sort of complicated relationship since my younger brother died - even more so when my mom followed three years later. I struggle daily to remember that He has a plan that I don't necessarily need to understand. After Mom died so soon after Matt, I had a pretty major near-crisis of Faith. I simply have never examined our offerings from this perspective. It's a very interesting question(s)!
Giving freely with an open heart. I think that's what God wants.
There are few things in life that give a bigger blessing than by blessing another through giving. It is really exciting to give! We are going through Dave Ramsey right now and we are hoping that, eventually, becoming debt free, we will be able to really give like we've always wanted. So fun to think about!
God has put you on my heart lately Amy. Not really sure why, but I've been thinking about you. I'll have to read some more of your blog to see how you are doing. Hope things are well!
This is such a hot topic. We tithe and then give above that with both our finances, our gifts, and our service. I have seen God bless us over and over again when we've stuck to our tithe even when it didn't "look like the right decision".
I think it's interesting that you bring up the giving to other places...we have been talking to people about giving to para church organizations. Certainly there's a place for that...and DH and I have a couple that we give too. What we don't believe is that your tithe should be split...but this is something that we know some people disagree with.
:-) Susan
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