Tithes

Tithes

I had never given tithes before.

All of my life, I had been reluctant to tithe.  Mostly out of fear that we would need the money to pay some bill, or buy food till payday.

When the offering plate would come around I would drop a five or a ten dollar bill in.

But now, it’s different.  When we began going to Church at Highland Park that was my normal offering.  But as time went by, and my belief in God began to grow, I began listening to that voice inside of me.  And every so often as I was writing out the check to the Church (Got to get that deduction for the IRS right?) that little voice would say to me, “Why don’t you write it for more?” so I would write the check for a higher amount.

I’d tell Cindy what I had done, and she would always tell me to ‘Follow the spirit!’

Later on, I’d be writing out the offering check and that little voice would remind me of all the blessings I had been given and that I really could afford to give more.  So I would write the check for a higher amount.

And higher, and higher.

Then one day, I told Cindy that I thought it was time that we started paying tithes.  I asked her how do we do it?  Do we pay once a month?  How much do we need to pay?  So we began by figuring out what we made and determining God’s share.  Then we looked at what I (we) were already contributing.  You know what?

It was more than what the tithe required.

God knew that I was reluctant to pay the tithe.  He had understood my fear and slowly bit by bit without me even realizing it was happening helped me to keep raising my offering until it was enough.

I had been paying tithes for a while!

We had never come up short for money.  God had always provided for us.  Even now, when my business slows down and the bank account dwindles, I pray for God to send me some business.  And He does!

Yesterday, for one reason or another (Yeah, yeah it was probably another!) I thought about this and the realization came to me that Tithing is actually a statement of your trust in God.

When you pay your tithe you are telling God that you trust him to take care of you and your family.  Place your belief in Him and he shall provide the rest.

I’ll leave you with this passage:

Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

So there you have it.  Just follow your heart, the Spirit will guide you and God will provide.

Sincerely,

Roscoe
(Christian in Training)