What is a tithe? Well, it is a tenth of what we earn whether we sell a cow at the fair, a quilt in our Zibbet shop, a candle from our home business or earn a paycheck. I understand that. Delving further into this subject, Dictionary.com defines tithe as: 'the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.' Taken from the world wide web 9/12/2010 at 0827. http://www.dictionary.com.Here is where my lines for tithing become fuzzy. I am not asking about your giving habits, those are between you and God. The part that states personal income set apart as an offering for works or mercy OR an obligation or tax support for the church. If you hear your pastor ask you to open your bible to Malachi...you know 99% of the time, you are going to hear about tithing!
Malachi tells us to bring all of our tithes into the storehouse so that there may be food in the Lords house and He will pour out for us such blessings that there will not be room enough to receive it all.
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I save money through Rite Aid and the small monthly rebate check I receive goes to our churches missions as well as 10% of any on-line sales I have. This is not tithing, but offerings. When I receive my paycheck, I set aside money for several Christian based charities that I believe in as well as a portion for my church.
I donated $35 to a Christian radio station that is going out into all the world. I gave $25 to Angel Tree ministries for their prison outreach and the remainder of my 10% goes to my church. Am I thinking clearly on this subject or is my mind fuzzy?
I also make quilts for our missonaries orphanage in Sierra Leone, give of my time & sent teens to camp this year through the church.
I believe in tithing, God has always carried my family through tough times and I believe it has to do with being faithful. I just want to know if I am seeing this correctly? Any other opinions on this matter?
4 comments:
Sounds like you are really faithful in your giving. I know that in my family we give 10% of our income to the church no matter what. We don't designate that to any fund (building fund etc.). Then anything above that is offerings and "extra." There have been times though that we prayed and felt God was leading us to give that 10% somewhere else or to an individual. I think if you ask God he will give you peace & guidance about your giving.
Yes, I have peace in my giving and I always give above and beyond, but I was curious if others have this challenge?
I think when you understand thithing , it becomes second nature and the tenth is not the begining or end it is a way of life to say thankyou for everything we have.
Margaret thank you so much. I do understand the tenth and I give that and more. However, does the first part of my tenth have to go to my church or should the tenth go to church and the rest be considering an offering? It is all going to glorify God.
Post a Comment