Theoretically, I have always been a huge fan of tithing. Granted my basis for approaching tithing came more from the economic “free rider problem” than the scriptures. Clearly, we could all agree, that every social movement requires input to sustain forward propulsion- time, energy, labor, money- from each of it’s members, and we could also concede that in every social movement their will be undoubtedly free riders who consume the movement without their fair share of input. I guess I have come to peace with my free rider status.
And as I’m beginning to find out, I’m not alone in my resignation. Maybe it’s our constant transitioning between places, maybe it’s that fact that we have student loans that need paying off, maybe it’s the fact that the tithing seems pretty Old Testament (10%? come on now, that’s a pretty steep “Membership Fee”), maybe (and this would be me) we’ve never really investigated the issue with full spiritual attention.
Through the haze of apathy there has always been a dim recollection of softly calling verses impressed in my mind, that gave the eerie feeling that God wasn’t talking about economics at all. In Deuteronomy 14, the standard requirement of, “Make an offering of ten percent, a tithe, of all the produce which grows in your fields year after year” is paired intriguingly with the declaration that….“in this way you will learn to live in deep reverence before your God, as long as you live.”
This of course is patiently explained every week as we are reminded that the basket passing through our hands is just another form of worship. But it hardly feels like any other form of worship, does it? Running through the list of classic worships I know, worships I can feel- prayer, music, meditation, fasting- I realize they have in common what I understand to be the point of worship: as they honor the object of worship, they transform the worshiper. Can a person be transformed through tithing? Well. And then there is the blessing part. Let’s be perfectly frank- no conversation about tithing can be totally sincere without acknowledging this little treasure of a verse: “ Bring your full tithe to the Temple Treasury so there will be ample provisions for my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up the heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” (Mal 3) Ok. I’m convinced. I’ll at least try it. I am going to, for the first time in my life, tithe 10% of my first fruits (meaning before I take myself out to dinner with my paycheck, before I pay my bills) I tithe. Then I watch, and I wait. And I try to write.
I have to add, even as I make this yet theoretical and yet digital declaration, my mind runs to calculating the sum. And then thinking about the debts I owe, and the bills I have, and Christmas coming, and things I have been waiting ages to buy. Is this really practical? Possible? Ironic that I can’t do mental math to save my life and I am not anywhere near “good with money” but the moment I so much as contemplate tithing I am suddenly crunching the numbers rigorously in my mind and frowning discerningly that, “this just doesn’t make sound financial sense.” Ok. Well so be it, the lilies of the field and all that.
I must say that chills ran me when i finished reading this....I think god calls us to obey, wait, watch.... I often disregard the first part and then expect to see god moving in response but yet I often don't take the first step.
ReplyDeleteI think we must on some level do the calculations so then we can also track the progress and see where things are shifting and we also must be financially responsible.....
so what happens if we say, "I can't afford this anymore?"
I can humbly yet with utmost confidence say that this will not happen. I was brought up with little labeled jars to divide my allowance- and from my very first "a nickel for every year" allowance I have tithed in the same manner as brushing my teeth. And in the same way that I watched my rather unorthodox family's needs met moment after moment, I have lived the delight of God revealing faithfulness at every turn... even held mysterious envelopes of cash which appeared on the doorstep just as the bill was due. I would suggest being rather ruthless... chop off the top 10% of every paycheck that arrives- with no calculations. My parents became even more hilarious givers in their later years... and they started tithing 33% and we all watched God prove He has a bigger shovel.
ReplyDeleteJesus taught us, saying:"Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you." Luke 6:38
that's encouraging but I have to admit I still at times feel a little irresponsible..... shouldn't I be putting into my IRA (which i have not done in years) or what about my kid's college fund.... both seem to be responisble choices.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that doing both would truly not make financial sense... perhaps I need more faith about the whole thing.
Do those who tithe also place the same amount they normally do into their investments or have you reduced it do to the tithing?
Any updates?
ReplyDelete