Tithing - only the beginning

This might step on some toes, but it is something I really believe in and believe I can qualify my position. Our church has been in a stewardship season the last few weeks. What that means in case you aren't familiar with the term, is a time of examination of how responsible we are with our resources towards the earthly kingdom of God. We can't give God anything. Our money and precious possessions are rubble to Him anyway. But we can give of our resources to God as we give unto others. If we choose to give through a local church body the good can be spread better than if we give individually to individual needs.

I am a strong advocate of being individually responsive and responsible to individual needs, but not at the reduction in our giving to a local fellowship body. I also am a firm believer that a tithe is still insignificant in the community and social status in which most of us live. I understand being coupled with debt and the high cost of life styles. I am living beyond my current means myself. Not because I choose to, but because I was dealt an income blow unwarranted. I was enjoying an income level that allowed me to give more than a tithe, take mission trips and give individually to needs that came to my attention. Now I barely make ends meet.

So I am not unacquainted with stretched budgets. I am hoping for better income levels soon.

I am a believer that a tithe is less than most of us can afford because most of us own things we simply do not need. In fact, I'd say many of us own things that are not only a drain on our income, but are a detriment to our spirituality commitments. And, no, I won't list any. Just in case I'd miss one you might have and you would feel smug thinking you don't.

A tithe to me is a good starting point for those just introduced to salvation and holy living. But we must remember that the tithe was introduced to God's chosen people at a time in history when they were pretty much self sufficient. Self sufficient in the sense that they didn't go to anyone for their needs. They grew everything they ate. They grew what they lived in unless it was a cave and it came with the land they owned. They grew their transportation. They even grew their own labor so having work done for them wasn't paid out of pocket. They didn't pay for education, insurance policies or medical services for the most part (they most likely lived with the ailment or injury and they certainly didn't have their teeth cleaned every 6 months or have preventative colonoscopies done). Their homes didn't require termite inspections, boundary line surveys or occupancy permits when selling or buying. And the list goes on.

So do we tithe on our gross, net, net after bills or what we have left at the end of the month? I say none of the above. I say move past a tithe as soon as you can convince yourself you can. As our pastor often says. "Don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good."

The basic fact and truth that Christians must come to is that when we come to God asking for forgiveness, protection, love and commitment on His part, we must give ourselves totally over to him. What's God's is God's, and what's ours is God's. Simple.

Pastor Kerry put me on the spot this morning. I mean really on the spot. When I think of the thousands of children and adults I have seen with my own eyes who do not have have the necessary provisions for sustaining life on a daily basis and then instantly think of all of the things I have that are not necessary for provision or happiness I cringe.

Lord, forgive my extravagant ways. Guide me as I simplify.