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Understanding the tithe |
Shelley Moore says, "Money is mentioned 140 times in the King James Version of the Bible. If we include the words gold, silver, wealth, riches, inheritance, debt, poverty, and related topics, it turns out that the Bible pays a great deal of attention to financial matters -- more than nearly any other subject." Dave Ramsey says, "Almost everyone agrees that the Bible contains great advice about life, from improving your marriage to getting along with your boss at work. But does the Bible really say much about money? Does it really give us advice that we can apply to our own life in today's world? The Good News is Yes! Absolutely! We believe the Bible is as relevant and helpful today as when it was written, and God has a lot to say about money. Did you know money is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times? God must be pretty serious about this subject to talk about it that much. In fact, Jesus says in Luke 16:11, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" It appears from this verse that God uses money as a test of our management and stewardship skills before entrusting us with spiritual things."
For god so loved...that he gave...John 3:16 |
When James E. Carter was pastor of University Baptist Church of Fort Worth, he shared an experience from younger days that he called, "the greatest tithing testimony I ever observed." He said one day as he waited to see the manager of a grocery store, a widow came in to cash her old-age assistance check for $55. The grocer asked how the woman wanted it, and she replied, "it doesn't make any difference just so I have a five dollar bill and a fifty-cent piece."
As the owner gave her the money, Carter noticed that she tucked the coin into the bill, folded it up, and placed it in a corner of her purse. "This is my tithe," she explained. "I put it separate so I won't spend it." It was a scene Carter never forgot, and it later influenced his own faithfulness in the area of tithes and offerings.
She didn't have much, yet that elderly woman honored God with the first part of all her income.
Stewardship is not merely a matter of obligation, it's a matter of love. When you love someone, you want to express your gratitude and affection.
Our stewardship should be faithfully accomplished and lovingly practiced. Are we as wise as that wise old woman?
"You have to start tithing when you have little if you are going to tithe when you have much. ~ James E. Carter
check out Proverbs 3:9-10
but this is it in a nutshell-> Luke 6:38
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