I Can't Afford to Tithe (part 2) (read previous entry first)
In my last commentary I was talking about the excuse Christians give for what is—across the board—a pretty feeble observance of the Lord’s planned blessing called tithing. Tithing is the privilege of giving 10% of one’s income to the work of the Lord.
No this isn’t something some preacher made up to get him into the country club; it is a long standing practice and command of the Lord designed to be a real blessing and benefit to the faithful.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’”
It is one of those commands that comes with a promise from God Himself. The rest of the passage reveals just how God might bring about such a blessing.
“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.” Malachi 3:10-12
It means that if you honor God in this way, He will actually intervene in the affairs of your life and will prevent certain things from happening that would decrease your available income.
So why do so few Christians tithe? Like I said—good old-fashioned greed—that is, desiring and pursuing things that you really can’t afford.
Did you know in that New England we hold the highest amount of debt per family than anyone else in the country? And with rare exception, the reason for the debt is simply spending money you don’t have.
Have two cars--probably a convenience more than a true necessity; Cable TV or Satellite? What about magazine subscriptions? How many trips a week do you make to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks; how many pairs of shoes in your closet? How many toys do you own like sleds, sporting equipment, recreational equipment, and how many activities are you and your children involved in all which cost money?
Now, none of these things are necessarily wrong—unless you are withholding what is rightly God’s saying, “But I can’t afford to tithe.”
Friend, You cannot afford NOT to give God what is His. It IS that simple.
No this isn’t something some preacher made up to get him into the country club; it is a long standing practice and command of the Lord designed to be a real blessing and benefit to the faithful.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’”
It is one of those commands that comes with a promise from God Himself. The rest of the passage reveals just how God might bring about such a blessing.
“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.” Malachi 3:10-12
It means that if you honor God in this way, He will actually intervene in the affairs of your life and will prevent certain things from happening that would decrease your available income.
So why do so few Christians tithe? Like I said—good old-fashioned greed—that is, desiring and pursuing things that you really can’t afford.
Did you know in that New England we hold the highest amount of debt per family than anyone else in the country? And with rare exception, the reason for the debt is simply spending money you don’t have.
Have two cars--probably a convenience more than a true necessity; Cable TV or Satellite? What about magazine subscriptions? How many trips a week do you make to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks; how many pairs of shoes in your closet? How many toys do you own like sleds, sporting equipment, recreational equipment, and how many activities are you and your children involved in all which cost money?
Now, none of these things are necessarily wrong—unless you are withholding what is rightly God’s saying, “But I can’t afford to tithe.”
Friend, You cannot afford NOT to give God what is His. It IS that simple.
posted by PB at 4:15 PM
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