TITHING WITH AN OBEDIENT AND JOYFUL HEART

Tithing is a really touchy subject.  It is something that most people shut their minds out to especially in our slow economic times.  Tithing is simply this.  Give 10% of your monthly earnings, not to charity, but to whatever organization feeds your spirit with the teachings about God.  Once you get to that place where you understand that funds are needed to spread the word of God to others who may not know Him, you will reap the benefits that come along with tithing.  I’ve heard people say that it is enough that they know God, that they have a good heart, that they help charities etc.  All those may be true, I am not here to judge anyone, my goal is simply to give information about tithing as an obedient child of God.

So let’s start from the basics.  Everything on this earth was created by God.  Everything that is readily available for you and is from God’s hands.  God doesn’t need your money, dollars and euros don’t work in heaven, but He didn’t stutter when he said 10% of all your proceeds go back to spread His word, and if you are obedient about it, He will pour out His grace to you that is beyond your expectations or what you can even imagine.  That doesn’t only apply here on earth, but also in heaven. 

Ok, it is not true that just because you don’t tithe, you don’t go to heaven.  The bible is clear when it stated that Jesus said as long as you know me as your Lord and Savior, you have a place in my home with me.  God wants you to be a cheerful giver.  Even though you know that 10% will break you every month, if you cheerfully give back your tithe, you will find that the blessings will pour out to you from God because you were an obedient and joyful giver.  Not one person in THIS WORLD knows what He has prepared for us in heaven, He just says it will be more than what you expected or imagine.  Eye has NOT seen, EAR has not heard what those things are (I’m sorry, I can’t tell you the verse in the bible, I’m just not one of those people that memorize them.  I just soak the word up, so I apologize in advance.  Maybe a reader can quote it for us.  But it is in there.)  So with that truth in mind, you make your decision.

Well, I’m not going out without telling you my testimony, just so you know.  Like most people I thought as long as I don’t kill, steal and destroy other people, I should be good.  As long as I share my money to those in need, like charities, God will bless me.  Maybe He will, after all, I am generous, right?  But then I analyzed it, as I am very analytical.  I thought ok, pretend you were down and out on your luck, and I gave you $10 so you can eat today.  If you don’t really know who God is and what He is all about, while you’re eating that meal that is lining your tummy, who are you thanking? Me or God?

I was very reluctant to give to my church because I thought, well look at this church.  The seats are fancy, the building is huge, there’s a nice cafeteria, the bathrooms are really clean and nice.  Maybe the pastor is driving a Mercedes.  So I decided to check.  I see him get into an old Corolla.  But then I analyzed it, this time, I didn’t put my logic into it but my heart.  In reality, my tithe is between me and God.  I thought, God doesn’t want me to nit pick where my money would be going.  If the organization decides to do something evil with it, that’s between that culprit and God, not between me and God.  Oh and the amenities at my church?  They were all to benefit me, my comfort, the little things that make you feel at home while you’re there.

Seven years ago, God impressed it in my heart that it’s time for me to tithe.  So I did, obediently, and joyfully.  I was a single empty nester mother, who didn’t have help with the bills anymore.  No more child support and at the height of the housing boom, my salary only covered most of my mortgage for a little tiny townhouse in a bad part of the city.  I had to spend at least 20% of that for my 1.25 hour commute one way everyday to get to work.  So minus that 10%, I would’ve been so strapped.  You know what’s funny?  I wasn’t strapped at all.  For some odd and MIRACULOUS reason, my bank account was always on the black.  I’m not going to bog you down with the details, but within 2 years, I became self employed.  I’m not a millionaire by any stretch of the imagination, but I am happy with less stress.  God gave me a good man who stands by me.  I learn patience from him everyday.  Now at the time of doubt, I never even imagined I would ever be self-employed because all my life I’ve always thought I was not good at selling.  This business didn’t have anything to do with selling and I got to do it at home. 

Believe if you must… or not.  All I know is I am here now, with a blog, directed by my DAD to share my testimonies.  You can argue your position about tithing as well, and share it here.  However, this is my truth.

Until the next rant… Love one another!