I need to make a statement about gift giving. For everyone who does not know I have been attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and the last topic to be covered was giving. You know giving is to be done with a cheerful heart or so says the bible. My wife recently wanted us to start tithing. Not giving an offering a tithe. What's the difference you ask - well the easiest way to explain it is this way an offering is what you give beyond your tithe and your tithe is what you are required to give as commanded in the Old Testament. You know it is funny when my wife first brought this to my attention I wanted to close my fist around what little money we have saved and not give it away. Then I was made aware of a an interesting idea or fact if you will. It is not mine. What you say? I work for it, I spend it, I save it, who's is it? Well, God's. The fact is simple God provides all and God takes all away, I am but a steward of his blessings so when God calls for his share who am I to tell the owner of the money - No!
I also realized that if I don't give then people don't get paid - you know the pastor, staff, bills, etc. Yea I know "They should not get paid a lot they are doing the work of Jesus." Says you Mr. and Mrs. Judgemental. Is it any wonder we as a nation have so many people leaving ministry. I mean what other job requires a person to take YOUR criticism with a smile and a warm heart and not respond in kind. How unacceptable that behavior is on our part. Perhaps as a people we should "piss or get off the pot" by that I mean either invest in your church or find one that you want to invest in.
You know the other thing that came to my mind was something that an old friend, Brian (whom I used to work with at DJJ) said once that he and his wife made the commitment to give to God his 10% and let him take care of their needs. You know what he always did and that was a man with integrity and man who had true happiness in his life because he gave of himself and his fortune. So, I also knew something else God says in the last book of the old testament (Malachi Chapter 3) Chapter 3.8 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 3.9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 3.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 3.11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts." I mean that is a pretty great promise.
A blessing I can not conceive?!? Wow I can go for that, psst the root word of blessing in the Hebrew means PEACE, I could use a little personal peace. So, I say to you - look out world I am going to follow the commands of my God and I will be given peace. So when you see me and ask how I can be at such peace just remember it came from God and I am a willing recipient.
