By Cindy Allen
Money is a topic that isn’t discussed much in many Christian circles. If Matt. 6:21 is true, we can follow our money trail to discover what truly matters to us. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Many people shy away from Biblical conversations about money because money is very personal. And let’s be honest, money is tight. The bill at the grocery store is ridiculous. Christmas really put a dent in my budget. And I don’t even want to talk about house insurance premiums.
But if you do talk to a person with an established habit of tithing, you are sure to be in awe of the testimonies of the faithfulness of God that they attribute to their habit. I can’t tell you exactly when my husband and I began to tithe earnestly, giving our first fruits to God, but I can tell you the many blessings we have received because of it. Money given to godly purposes will bless the receiver and the giver.
In most churches, 20% of the congregants do 80% of the giving — giving of money, time and service. If that statistic is true, 80% of any congregation is not supporting their church’s ministry and not receiving abundant blessings God wants to pour out on them.
Think of your church. If everyone attending gave something consistently, what could be accomplished? A better question might be, what could not be accomplished? Remember the little boy with the loaves and fishes and how God multiplied his offering. He can do the same with our tithes and offerings. God can and would use our obedience to accomplish great and mighty things for His glory. Just imagine what your church could do with a larger, more consistent giving program — essential repairs being made, a new children’s wing, a new bus for outreach — the possibilities are endless.
And as your church’s resources grow, your church’s giving will also grow. Your church could make a much larger impact worldwide. Since we are missionary-minded, we should think of the limitless possibilities if we all give back to God.
At the first of the year, many of us examine our lives and see where improvements can be made. I challenge each of us to identify our treasure and see where our hearts really are. If you aren’t satisfied with what you find, ask God to help you change direction. He is ready, willing and able.
I recently heard two sermons on tithing, and two things really spoke to me. Both ideas had to do with the biblical standard of giving 10%. The first thought was that for people starting or restarting a tithing habit, 10% may seem daunting. Just start somewhere. Any amount is better than nothing. And I can almost guarantee you will be increasing the amount because of the goodness of God.
The second thought was that 10% is just a starting point but not a cap on the amount we can give. Most of us give offerings to various things over and above our regular tithes, but the idea of tithing more than 10% consistently was new to me. It was one of those “aha” moments that made me feel a little dumb. So, I am upping my amount. It is just a little, but it is still upping. We can never outgive God, right?
Being a faithful tither is a great personal legacy, but it can also positively impact the legacy of your church. Even if it takes a little redirecting, let’s show God our heart is passionate about His purposes. As the old adage says, “Put your money where your mouth is.”
• Prayer — Thank you, Father, for the gifts you have given me. No matter what, you promise to supply my needs. Help me trust you enough to return to you a portion of what you have provided. Lord, I ask you to bless the gifts I give to my church and your kingdom. May everyone involved make wise decisions with the gifts given for your work, and please use these gifts in great ways to accomplish your purposes. Thank you for allowing me to participate in your work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
• Scripture — Mal. 3:10-12; Matt. 6:1-4; Mark 12:41-44
• Respond — Give some thought to the amount you give back to God. We are told to give Him a portion of what He generously gives us. If you are not a consistent tither, take a step of faith and start with your next paycheck. Take God’s amount out first. Have faith that He will bless you. If you are a faithful tither, know God is using your funds to accomplish great and mighty things. Share your testimony of God’s faithfulness and inspire others to develop a legacy of giving.
— These articles are shared via the National WMA web page blog that can be accessed at nationalwma.org/blogs.
