Note again This is “dated” stuff from 2008 … yes I got my taxes in;-)
Exodus 25:2 –
Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.
As much as the Lord says give 10%, he wants you to give the tithe willingly. If you are not “moved” to give then He does wish to accept the offering. This is a fine line in our relationship with God, we can all NOT be “moved” to give, but we are not following Gods will not giving! Everyone can justify in this economy not to give “first fruits” or any “fruits” for that matter. We have house payments, car payments, credit card debt, food, and the big one now GAS!! We all know the list can be made longer and longer with no end in sight.
But if you learn to live without that 10% then you will learn about the “abundant life” God has in store for you. Be happy about giving, again God does not need the money; he wants you to give and to sacrifice for him. The point is not to make you suffer, but to make you learn to live within the guidelines God set up to thrive in this world. One thing is for sure, be happy it’s only 10% and you are not being nailed to a cross!!!!
Giving is something we do out of love for our fellow man and our church. As much as you look at the current church and say our money is going to a building or into supporting Joyce’s lifestyle (note I am picking on Joyce, but anyone could be used) remember what God has asked us to do. Also, in defense of the “money grubbing” preachers, the current laws of “non-profit” churches require them to spend every last dollar to show “no profit.” With very large churches this is difficult to do some times. Being generous and wise with the money is difficult and sometimes “time” gets in their way and by LAW (USA that is) the money has to be used.
The biblical way to live is simple, 10% to GOD (read church), 10% to savings and live on the rest. For us we give weekly and are not sure if we are giving first fruits or going into debt due to a lack of proper accounting. But we give out of love of God and knowing we do not need it and it’s his anyway!! As for us not knowing, pray for me to finish my “taxes” from 04, 05, 06 and 07 so we can know! We are close, but I just need to get up earlier and therefore sleep sounder. Also, need to free up time in the shop so to finish the books. But not so free we lose revenue, see it’s a “fine line!” Anyway I would love to know what we SHOULD be giving, not what we “feel” like giving:-)
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Proverbs 11:11 – “Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.”