“The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application.” — Miguel de Cervantes
In spite of all the talk of economic crisis, recession and hardship, the America that I see is indeed the land of the plentiful. The supermarkets with aisles and rows of merchandise and shopping malls with chiming bells and glittering lights are but irrefutable proof. I must explain that I am not attempting to undermine the struggles that folk face here. I am just trying to remind all of us that in the light of utter deprivation like we can’t even begin to imagine, our own burdens aren’t that cumbersome any longer. It is important that we begin to see ourselves as well-off.
Having been thus blessed, how do we use our wealth? Do we squander it or are we to be prudent stewards? God who, I believe, is the fount from whence flows all the abundance that we enjoy and so often take for granted, is not some kind of ‘cosmic kill-joy’. He does desire for us to enjoy the wealth and resources that we are blessed with. However He doesn’t endorse our stagnating at that one stop called self. We need to look beyond the confines of our selfishness.
One aspect of looking beyond oneself is tithing. Tithing is giving. I have often wondered why God, who owns everything, would require of us to give to Him. The best means of answering that question is understanding that He is indeed sovereign over everything. I’m so moved each time I hear that prayer in the Anglican Prayer Book: “All that is in heaven and earth is thine, and of thine own do we give to thee.”
God is undisputed Sovereign but we are still stewards who have an obligation. In Scripture we read of the church at Jerusalem which had been subject to acute poverty; however they were not left to fend for themselves in their moment of need. The Church of Christ from other regions came to their aid. Tithes were collected to be sent to the church in need (1 Cor. 16:2). We live in no different an epoch and in our own time the church does care for members of our society that find themselves in difficult situations. We support that cause by giving to the church through tithes.
The divine directive that we received is to share the gospel of Christ through our witnessing to a hostile world. There are a courageous few who are willing to leave the comforts of home and the familiar to do just that. They are willing to walk where we fear to go. They are carrying the torch, as it were, where we are unable to; and tithing provides for them. Tithing also provides for those who serve God through their ministering to us. We are taught, we are trained and we are edified in our faith because of their commitment to God. Our parents are Christian workers in India and have had to raise money to pay for some of their monthly expenses. And I believe that they shouldn’t have had to do that. All who tirelessly serve the cause of the Gospel are stalwarts of the faith and should be treated with the dignity that is their due. What I learned as a child I’ll always carry with me. My mother’s voice is still ringing in my ears: “Do you know why the Levites weren’t given any part of the land when the land was divided amongst the Israelites? Well, The Lord said that He would be their portion” (Num. 18:21-24). The Lord is indeed their portion and He does require of us to provide for those who serve Him; and by tithing we participate in the expansion and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
May our churches never have a dearth of funds. May our ministers never have to ask us to tithe. That can happen only when we are conscientious and diligent in our giving. Let us ever be mindful that we are but giving only that which already belongs to Him.
In spite of all the talk of economic crisis, recession and hardship, the America that I see is indeed the land of the plentiful. The supermarkets with aisles and rows of merchandise and shopping malls with chiming bells and glittering lights are but irrefutable proof. I must explain that I am not attempting to undermine the struggles that folk face here. I am just trying to remind all of us that in the light of utter deprivation like we can’t even begin to imagine, our own burdens aren’t that cumbersome any longer. It is important that we begin to see ourselves as well-off.
Having been thus blessed, how do we use our wealth? Do we squander it or are we to be prudent stewards? God who, I believe, is the fount from whence flows all the abundance that we enjoy and so often take for granted, is not some kind of ‘cosmic kill-joy’. He does desire for us to enjoy the wealth and resources that we are blessed with. However He doesn’t endorse our stagnating at that one stop called self. We need to look beyond the confines of our selfishness.
One aspect of looking beyond oneself is tithing. Tithing is giving. I have often wondered why God, who owns everything, would require of us to give to Him. The best means of answering that question is understanding that He is indeed sovereign over everything. I’m so moved each time I hear that prayer in the Anglican Prayer Book: “All that is in heaven and earth is thine, and of thine own do we give to thee.”
God is undisputed Sovereign but we are still stewards who have an obligation. In Scripture we read of the church at Jerusalem which had been subject to acute poverty; however they were not left to fend for themselves in their moment of need. The Church of Christ from other regions came to their aid. Tithes were collected to be sent to the church in need (1 Cor. 16:2). We live in no different an epoch and in our own time the church does care for members of our society that find themselves in difficult situations. We support that cause by giving to the church through tithes.
The divine directive that we received is to share the gospel of Christ through our witnessing to a hostile world. There are a courageous few who are willing to leave the comforts of home and the familiar to do just that. They are willing to walk where we fear to go. They are carrying the torch, as it were, where we are unable to; and tithing provides for them. Tithing also provides for those who serve God through their ministering to us. We are taught, we are trained and we are edified in our faith because of their commitment to God. Our parents are Christian workers in India and have had to raise money to pay for some of their monthly expenses. And I believe that they shouldn’t have had to do that. All who tirelessly serve the cause of the Gospel are stalwarts of the faith and should be treated with the dignity that is their due. What I learned as a child I’ll always carry with me. My mother’s voice is still ringing in my ears: “Do you know why the Levites weren’t given any part of the land when the land was divided amongst the Israelites? Well, The Lord said that He would be their portion” (Num. 18:21-24). The Lord is indeed their portion and He does require of us to provide for those who serve Him; and by tithing we participate in the expansion and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
May our churches never have a dearth of funds. May our ministers never have to ask us to tithe. That can happen only when we are conscientious and diligent in our giving. Let us ever be mindful that we are but giving only that which already belongs to Him.
1 comment:
a ride back down biblical lane.. refreshed my numbers and leviticus books..
prosperity gospel has changed the way we look at christianity.. and evangelical marketing has taken the spiritual level on a different platorm altogether.. a clear sign of the last days...
loved the post
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