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I write this as a sinner and am always learning in my walk with Jesus, lest I be judged.
This quarter, the Sabbath school lesson is teaching us about tithing principles. I grimace at some of the wording in the “books”, as it comes across as task-oriented from a church view. One study book says, “increasing the number of faithful tithe givers is not an easy task.” Therefore, is this how we are representing tithing to the church in general?
I personally see tithe as a personal relationship with Jesus. It is not a task or job. We might as well put in the word chore because tithing should not be portrayed as a chore.
In my own study and not the official words of our church, I share that tithing represents our relationship with Jesus. We RETURN our first fruits to him, from our 100 percent that he already gave us. We don’t pay bills and loans first and then say “here you go, Jesus” with your tithe, if we have enough. That is saying that a,b,c comes before Jesus.
When we prioritize correctly, Jesus smiles and wants to bless us back. We see the fruits of tithing, but seeing that 9/10 is more blessed in our lives than if we lived 10/10.
Confession: I have been in arrears with tithing in my life. Under the way of living, I have shown God that he is not number one in my life and that he came after the ABC’s of my obligations in the world. This lesson has reinforced the beauty of tithing and to be faithful to his natural law of blessing.
Sitting in our church, which is just a building, of course, could not be possible, without the tithes and offerings of the members. Without fewer tithes and offerings, we would still be sitting in a rented church, where we started over 20 years ago. Today, we enjoy the warmth of utilities, the benefits of having paid staff by RWCC, for our children and administration and that we can even have a clean church!
Some may believe that tithing went the way of the old testament laws. Even if it did we still need funding for our church mission and reaching souls. In the end, we still have the New Testament verse:
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
NOTE: These are my personal thoughts on tithing and is not an official statement of the SDA or RWCC church. I am just sharing my daily Bible study with you. Please note that the RWCC does not collect offerings formerly in church, and goes by your personal commitment to the beauty of giving.
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