Tithing, during Old Testament times, was a method of taxes. It was 10 percent of crops, livestock, or earnings given to support the church and clergy.
Did you know that? NO? Well you're not alone, I promise because I didn't either.
Tithing during the New Testament shifted and became about giving happily of what one had.
Did taxing go away? Well you know it didn't! ☺
Did you know that? NO? Well you're not alone, I promise because I didn't either.
Tithing during the New Testament shifted and became about giving happily of what one had.
Did taxing go away? Well you know it didn't! ☺
When I was little, I watched my Grammy always place a little white envelope in the pretty gold plate at church. I remember thinking how important that little white envelope must be because almost everyone had one and was putting it in that plate.
Years later, I struggled with what it meant to tithe and how much I was supposed to give. When you're financially struggling, money isn't something you part with easily. Grammy never talked about how much she put in that little white envelope or whether she adjusted when things were tight.
Many years later, I discovered through scripture, tithing is So much more than the taxes they used to be. They're even more than 10% of whatever we have and it's certainly more than putting a little white envelope in an offering plate (although that's important too, Bless you Grammy).
Tithing is GIVING, not out of obligation, but out of LOVE ♥
Interestingly enough if you look up synonyms for the word tithe, the word 'obligation' appears within the list.
Maybe you're thinking I give money to my church, what else do I have?
Well....since you asked
Years later, I struggled with what it meant to tithe and how much I was supposed to give. When you're financially struggling, money isn't something you part with easily. Grammy never talked about how much she put in that little white envelope or whether she adjusted when things were tight.
Many years later, I discovered through scripture, tithing is So much more than the taxes they used to be. They're even more than 10% of whatever we have and it's certainly more than putting a little white envelope in an offering plate (although that's important too, Bless you Grammy).
Tithing is GIVING, not out of obligation, but out of LOVE ♥
Interestingly enough if you look up synonyms for the word tithe, the word 'obligation' appears within the list.
Maybe you're thinking I give money to my church, what else do I have?
Well....since you asked
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can—as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability [ability to lead] and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer.
(Romans 12:6-8 Living Bible (TLB) Emphasis my own)
Looking at this scripture reminds me giving of our income is important, but God gave us more to give away.
I believe
Tithing in all its many facets is about using what God has blessed us with. We don't each have all of them, but the ones we are gifted, need to be given away, tithed.
Here's what I think tithing looks like:
I believe
Tithing in all its many facets is about using what God has blessed us with. We don't each have all of them, but the ones we are gifted, need to be given away, tithed.
Here's what I think tithing looks like:
It took me many years to realize God gifted me with many talents. Those talents are often referred to as Spiritual Gifts.
Spiritual Gifts are what you can use to give in addition to your financial giving.
Is tithing financially to our churches important? Yes! Without financial support we wouldn't have churches.
But, I think God calls us to something more. We are challenged to expand His kingdom.
The only way to do that, in my opinion, is to add your Spiritual gift giving to your financial giving. Doing so adds to God's kingdom's growth....our challenge from God himself.
Spiritual Gifts are what you can use to give in addition to your financial giving.
Is tithing financially to our churches important? Yes! Without financial support we wouldn't have churches.
But, I think God calls us to something more. We are challenged to expand His kingdom.
The only way to do that, in my opinion, is to add your Spiritual gift giving to your financial giving. Doing so adds to God's kingdom's growth....our challenge from God himself.
Next time: A look at the different Spiritual Gifts!
>>>>>>>Do you know your gifts?<<<<<<<
Have you ever wondered what your spiritual gifts are? Ever taken a spiritual gift test online? Which one(s)?
I would be genuinely interested in hearing from you about what they are and how you use your gifts.
Have you ever wondered what your spiritual gifts are? Ever taken a spiritual gift test online? Which one(s)?
I would be genuinely interested in hearing from you about what they are and how you use your gifts.
Images courtesy of Stuart Miles, David Castillo Dominici, Sixninepixels, and NiamWhan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,