Thursday, November 20, 2008
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Why I Quit Tithing...And What Happened Once I Started Again
Guest post submitted by Love__Chronicles
Recently, I've struggled over money. It's not that I don't have enough, I just had stopped tithing at church. It really bothered me, but I always thought of way to rationalize it. Week after week would go by, and I would battle it in my mind up until it was too late.
It was hard for me to accept that I was afraid. I was afraid to give my money away because deep down, I doubted that God would take care of me. It's funny how we can have no problem believing that God created the universe and all it contains in seven days, and still doubt that He can produce enough cash for us to get by.Or perhaps it's that we know we can get by with less money, but we really don't want to. Heaven forbid I have to do without some of my beloved household commodities. What if I obey God's commandment and as a result have to cut off my internet? Or stop my Netflix? Or shop at the discount grocery store?
Since Michelle and I were still adjusting to our new life, we had been looking for a cheap washing machine to buy. As we shopped around, all I could think about was the ever-growing list of things we needed to buy that we could not afford. Money has its way of exposing the true condition of a man's heart.
In church one week, as the praise songs were soaring, I broke down. At the end of the sermon, I quietly slipped to the back and put a tithe check in the little money box. Then Michelle and I stepped through the door of the sanctuary and into the back. One of our friends immediately approached us and said, "We have a washing machine that we don't need. Do you guys need one?" I was both overjoyed at this neat display of God's graciousness and disgusted at how I had ever doubted Him.
Do you tithe? Do you find it difficult to trust that God will provide what you need, monetarily?
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Comments (52)
When I first got convicted on the tithing issue, I was a single parent struggling. I budgeted out the $65.00 or so and got up enough courage to put it in the tithing box, which had the verse about God loving a cheerful giver below it. Well about a week later, I had checks bouncing everywhere. I was like "Uhm, God, I did want you said, now look!" Well got that all straightened out and decided that tithing wasn't going to work for me based on the above situation, BUT I knew when I made that decision, God would show me otherwise. I had applied for disability for my son and they had turned it down 3 times. I got an attorney and they approved it. I got a check in the mail for like $1500.00 something about two weeks after the tithing/check bouncing situation. I felt like such a heel then!
But I do believe that part of my problem was I was not a cheerful giver when I put the money is. I kept thinking of all the yard sales I could go to with it, lol, :) I did everything but to go the preacher and ask him for the money back even, lol. But in the end, God showed me!
Blessings,
Cheryl
awesome testimony...thanks for sharing. So many miss the blessins of obedience to the Word due to fear!
i wish i had a washing machine...
Ummmmmm, sadly, i only tithe when i have an income. Since i'm attending school right now, i don't really have any source of money coming in. :(
but great testimony!
I trust God that he will provide for those who are faithful. So in a sense, I still give even if I only have a penny left on me. And that is the truth.
Malachi 3:10 is the one place in the Bible that God told us to test Him, that's to test Him with our tithes. He will pour out blessings that we will not have room to receive. Ever since I've been obedient to tithing, I've received blessings after blessings.
If you read further down to verse 11, through our tithing, God rebukes the devourer who destroys our ground and fruits (basically our harvests).. so our tithing allows God to take care of the devil for us.
Good thing you came back to it
This is something I think many people are afraid to do in fear they'll not be able to provide for their families. People need to realize when they go to church the costs involved in the minastries, maintenace, outreach programs, etc. Paying tithes is not only something you should do but it is your way in helping in the witnessing to others that the church does.
Great blog.
I understand what you and your wife went through. I too have seen how God provides when we just step out in trust and obedience to Him. It's an amazing feeling isn't it?
From time to time I have to remind myself, the money I have and make isn't mine, it's God's and I'm just a steward of it. Thanks for sharing!
Each Sunday lately, I have been feeling compelled to tithe. But I haven't, I keep finding some reason not to. Thank you for this post, it has helped me to see why I should tithe.
God's math is not man's math in reference to tithing...He will always honor you and your families finances when you obey Him in your giving. Many times the numbers will not add up but He will keep His Word and never forsake you.
I'm lucky enough to have a husband who insists on tithing. Even if it means a bill has to go unpaid. So, even when I think that I could hold off on my tithes and take care of a bill that needs to be paid, I can't because my husband is the one who brings the money home, so if he insists on 10% to the church, how can I argue? I say I am lucky because I am certain that we have received so many blessings because of this... including the new job my husband just got that more than doubled our income! Making less money is no excuse to not tithe. The Bible says to be faithful over a few things and THEN he will make you ruler over many. This can completely apply to your finances, as my husband and I have found out first hand.
Yes I tithe! I think it is the way God wanted us to fund his church. It is all his anyway, He is only asking 10% of it back. He could have asked for more. And I love when he bless back for our obedience!!
we went to our church over a year before we really started tithing...and even then i started low...because i was scared we already lived paycheck to paycheck literally....i have found everything to be true that God will bless you when you follow His word. After committing to the 10% we have never been without. It only takes an ounce of faith to step out and believe His Truth....and then it really isn't faith anymore because you see and feel all of His promises come true in front of you!
I don't tithe because as a Gentile Christian I don't believe that I'm obligated to (it's never mentioned in the NT). Giving IS mentioned in the NT though...so I do give. Is it 10%, more than 10%, or less than 10%.....well....God knows, and that's all that really matters
Let me tell you my story.
6 months back, I am working in a job that pays good, but not so great for me to feel luxurious. Not much savings either, all my cash went for food and bills.
But I always contribute. No matter if I am cash-strapped or have less to spend that month. Or of how I hate the double collections, which feels forced.
But I did it.
In fact, I contributed a large amount of cash for the building of the Statue of the Virgin Mary of my cathedral - something I've never done before. I felt that God has given me a LOT during the time of my life and it's my turn to pay my due.
Fast forward to now, I am working in a Middle East country earning about $2850 per month, a whopping 390% increase in salary! Yup, God has given more to people who are sincere.
I wish I can give more now, but here there is no church I can attend. But I am sure I will not forget to contribute as God is more generous than all of us are. What I did is little to what He does.
@mashimaroboi@xanga - I don't think we need to tithe on a non-existent income. Nothing to feel guilty about. I didn't tithe when I was in college, then when I made money again, I was happy to give back to God and my church.
Even though at times I wonder if I can afford tithing, I've never missed a bill and I always seem to have leftover money each month. I don't know how it's possible, but God does provide.
Great blog, thanks for sharing. God blesses those who are obedient to Him. Keep up the good work!
I have been having a hard time tithing lately. I used to tithe all the time at my old church. I was blessed back then. I never really wanted for anything. I am now part of LDS and tithing is still there. I tithed at first, now I see myself holding back worrying that God won't provide me with what i need. Seeing this post, has helped me believe in tithing once again. Thank-You so very much for sharing this story with me. I needed it.
I'll admit I have had a hard time tithing lately as well, even though I used to not that long ago. That's my problem exactly, I guess I don't really like to think of giving up my money (since I don't get a lot!)....I hate spending money in general, so I guess I question whether it's "worth it" or not. But I know that I should get back into tithing...I really need to....
I really need to go to church more,
but if I did get to go like I would like
then I would at least give a dollar
each time. I have full faith that God
will help me when I am in need.
Wonderful blog!!! I, too, have had blessings when I've tithed.
Thank you so much for posting this! I believe in tithing but there are times when I look at my finances and say to myself "I don't know if I can give." But every time I do by using my faith, God definitely comes through every single time!
@yet_still_learning@xanga - can I have your penny ... hihi
I know what you mean! During periods of my life where I have given and have not, and can see the difference now looking back. Isn't it funny how we can trust God with our lives, soul, and our personal safety but all too often we can't seem to trust Him with our finances. I'll just have to take it to the Lord in prayer and hope to get back to that place of obedience,amen~S
@shrek_azn@xanga - haha, y' tro*i`. Sao anh Shrekie na`y, bie^'t em o*? dda^y. Hay ghe^ hen. lol. The^' gi*o*i' thie^.t la` nho? qua ddi. lol 1 penny cu?a em, em cho ngu*o*i` kha'c ro^`i, co`n dda^u dde^? ma` cho anh Shrekie chu*' ne`. lol
I'm with hubbaduh on this.
Tithing is not a new covenant principle. Giving is. Not only is giving a new covenant principle but sacrificially giving; giving out of your poverty. Give your only two pennys. In other words, Christ wants us to give all we have.
The reason the early church gathered resources and money wasn't to pay for a congregations building and it's costs (because they lived together instead of attending events together), but to support the impoverished, hospitalized and imprisoned people around them. If you tithe to pay a church's bills, I can't say you're meeting G-d's ultimate intent in giving away your finances. If you're paying to feed the hungry, then you're being more obedient. Paying for your congregations building costs and meeting their budget isn't doing a whole lot for people in need.
How does that one song go? "Jesus paid it all, 10% to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow." Either you fully live in the old covenant way of living or you step into the new. You don't get to ride the fence.
We need to live in a giving spirit. G-d does not want a percent, otherwise he would have given us a percent. As it stands, he gave us everything.