To Give or Not to Give... That is the Question

Mose and I were asked to pray over the tithes and offerings at our church on Sunday.  It was such an honor to be asked to do it. However, I immediately felt a little nervous and knew that I needed to prepare what I wanted to say.  I knew I needed to ask God what I should say and how I should pray.  It was a big responsibility, and I did not want to mess it up.

Giving has always been a touchy subject for Christians.  Do we still tithe 10% as the word says in the Old Testament, even though we are living under the new covenant?  The concept of tithing and pastors asking for money have even turned many away from the church. We are sensitive about our money, to be sure!  How dare anyone tell us what to do with it?  Unless, of course, it’s our financial advisors… But, I digress…

After I asked the Lord to show me what he wanted me to say and what to pray for, he directed me to read 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9.  We often hear 2 Corinthians 9:7 quoted in the church, which talks about the importance of giving cheerfully and not because of feeling forced into it.  However, have you personally read both of these chapters in their entirety?  Paul is encouraging the church to give in these chapters and outlines the importance of it.  If you read them in their entirety and they do not convince you to give, I don’t know what will.

I grew up with parents who do not believe we should tithe to a particular church.  They believe we should give to “the church” which is believers, but also to the poor and needy in our community.  I would say I have adopted the same mentality, pretty much, as it is biblically sound.  However, for the last few years, my husband and I have steadily tithed and given it to a specific church.  I would say this comes from us trusting the church leadership to carefully steward it on our behalf.  They can make the money work for the community in a bigger way than we can.  It is important to watch and see what your church does with their money.  I know that’s blunt, and possibly a little painful for some of you churchy people to hear, but it’s the truth.  In our church, we see the leadership helping members in our congregation who need help, as well as helping out other churches in need, such as a church that sustained a building fire, for example.

Giving to others is essentially the premise of our faith- or religion- if you will. How do I know? James 1:27 says that pure religion in God’s eyes is caring for widows and orphans and refusing to let the world corrupt you (NLT).  I won’t get into the second point in that verse right now, but, we need to focus on the caring for widows and orphans part.  What does this look like?  In my mind, widows and orphans are some of the most vulnerable in our population.  They especially need our help.  When I think of this group, I also put single moms and their children in the same boat.  Paul told the church that, when we care for others by giving, we will lead them to God because they will be thankful to him (my paraphrasing and I am by far not a theologian!).  How much would we change the world if we cared for our vulnerable populations, such as single mothers?  If we help them financially and tell them it comes from the Lord, how could they not turn to him or at the very least be a little curious and possibly get one step closer to knowing God?  I was a single mom for a few years before I met Mose, and they were some of the toughest years of my life.  I was working full-time, going to school full-time, and raising my daughter.  I had many scary nights where I wanted to give up.  Had my church helped me out financially during that time, I likely would have leaned more on God and would have made smarter lifestyle choices!  I am just saying…

I love that my church gives to single mothers in our congregation. I’ve seen it happen a few times now, and it’s so beautiful.  It’s as it should be, and it honestly helps me to feel comfortable to continue to give directly to the church because I know they are stewarding it well.  If we do not have a church that is taking care of the community and the church members in such a way, then we need to take the extra step with our giving and directly support other ministries or organizations that are caring for the vulnerable people in our community.  In that way, we are fulfilling James 1:27. 

Since Mose and I have been tithing, we have not lacked.  We have even been generously blessed by God and many doors have opened to us in the last few years that I believe are in direct correlation.  I share this not to brag, but to encourage you to consider giving if you are not already doing so.  Pray and ask God what you should give and who you should give it to and be obedient.  When we give big, we are rewarded big.  I am not saying that means we’ll all become wealthy because that’s not what the word is saying.  Our rewards are mostly spiritual and therefore invaluable.

As Paul told the church, search your heart, and give what you believe you can give.  Don’t give so that you will suffer, and others will gain, but give so that we can have more equality amongst us.  Uh oh… that’s something a lot of Christians don’t want to hear- that whole equality piece.  That is the opposite of the old “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality.  But, you didn’t hear it from me… Paul said it first and it’s in God’s word, which means it comes directly from God.  Read the chapters and you’ll see.

With all my love,

Lyrica