A simple primer on Biblical giving.
Since Kevin and I have never had much in the way of finances we've always struggled with the concept of what God requires of us with our giving. We found the more we investigated the more the modern interpretation of giving 10% of all the cash that comes your way is NOT the biblical model for giving. It's not that we don't want to part with our money, we know many churches, ministries, and missionaries we wish we could support more, but when it comes to keeping food in the house verses strict giving (set by man) it ends up becoming a struggle. We've had to learn "new" ways to give. I invest much of my time listening to others and spending time in prayer, being a needed friend and hopefully reflecting God's love. Kevin devotes time to helping others with computer needs and technical support making learning and communicating with others easier and more effective. Sure these things may seem more social than tangible, but these are the gifts we have to give. And I don't think God thinks anything less about it. The issue isn't about giving an exact financial amount, but to give and do in honor of God to glorify Him and grow His Kingdom.
This video makes a very clear description in my opinion. I agrees with much of it and found this message encouraging. I've heard from many that they believe in Christ but because they can't give financially they can't bring themselves to find a church because they always seem to be preaching about giving money. I know for a while Kevin and I knew that struggle personally. I hope for anyone in that situation that you can find a church home that will meet your needs instead of trying to convince you that you need to somehow squeeze water from a rock. Yes, God makes things happen, God gives amazing blessings when we put our faith in Him, but a dangerous misunderstanding I think sometimes becomes an issue. Jesus came to save us from our inability to fulfill our obligations to keeping the law. This doesn't mean all goes out the window, but it does redefine a sense of grace into the equation. We are not going to be cursed for being light with financial giving, but we aren't to give up the action of giving either. The balance of a Bible based church should be just as focused on helping guide people to give as much as it should care for their sick, needy and widows. Please watch the video and let me know what you think.
Check out this video: To Tithe Or Not To Tithe?
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I'd also say 'the church" today in general needs to look at new ways of meeting this. Not all churches fail, you have the places that have at risk youth outreach ministries, food banks, mission trips to build homes and so on. These are the physical ways these things needs of giving can be met in other ways. A church that is wealthy in money but small in action does not seem to be a living ministry.
I'm not writing these things judging any one place. I love the church home I have and see it as a place honoring God. But because of the journey Kevin and I had been on to finally find our church home much of this was brought to our attention. I also feel the need to write along these lines because I know in various ways I DO need help. I need someone to help around the yard and the house, I need understanding people who'll know that if I don't make it to church it's not an issue of being lazy, but being sick in bed. For the most part I have these things, but to me personally it's been a growing experience of learning that some things don't need to be done (like making the bed in the morning), some things can wait (like getting the dishes cleaned), and some things just don't need my time (like keeping up with every and any latest and most popular T.V. shows.) I've learned that not everything that has to be done in this home has to be done by me, that spending time listening to others has more blessings than over-extending myself trying to keep a showroom clean home. Sure, I wish I could feel comfortable having others over, I wish things at home were more relaxing, but I'm also learning that as someone with daily limitations there is only so much I can do, and much of those things I burden myself with really aren't what matters in the bigger picture of things. If I were to die today I would hope the thing that people talked about weren't the dirty floors or the piles of crafts and papers, or laundry, but of a heart focused on God's will and an encouragement to them. I want to be an example of Christ not of Martha. I want people to see that even though I live with daily limitations and ailments that I still praise God for His saving grace and that others can see beyond this world because of my hope I share for my own life beyond this world.
Blessings In Christ,
Crystal
This video makes a very clear description in my opinion. I agrees with much of it and found this message encouraging. I've heard from many that they believe in Christ but because they can't give financially they can't bring themselves to find a church because they always seem to be preaching about giving money. I know for a while Kevin and I knew that struggle personally. I hope for anyone in that situation that you can find a church home that will meet your needs instead of trying to convince you that you need to somehow squeeze water from a rock. Yes, God makes things happen, God gives amazing blessings when we put our faith in Him, but a dangerous misunderstanding I think sometimes becomes an issue. Jesus came to save us from our inability to fulfill our obligations to keeping the law. This doesn't mean all goes out the window, but it does redefine a sense of grace into the equation. We are not going to be cursed for being light with financial giving, but we aren't to give up the action of giving either. The balance of a Bible based church should be just as focused on helping guide people to give as much as it should care for their sick, needy and widows. Please watch the video and let me know what you think.
Check out this video: To Tithe Or Not To Tithe?
Add to My Profile | More Videos
I'd also say 'the church" today in general needs to look at new ways of meeting this. Not all churches fail, you have the places that have at risk youth outreach ministries, food banks, mission trips to build homes and so on. These are the physical ways these things needs of giving can be met in other ways. A church that is wealthy in money but small in action does not seem to be a living ministry.
I'm not writing these things judging any one place. I love the church home I have and see it as a place honoring God. But because of the journey Kevin and I had been on to finally find our church home much of this was brought to our attention. I also feel the need to write along these lines because I know in various ways I DO need help. I need someone to help around the yard and the house, I need understanding people who'll know that if I don't make it to church it's not an issue of being lazy, but being sick in bed. For the most part I have these things, but to me personally it's been a growing experience of learning that some things don't need to be done (like making the bed in the morning), some things can wait (like getting the dishes cleaned), and some things just don't need my time (like keeping up with every and any latest and most popular T.V. shows.) I've learned that not everything that has to be done in this home has to be done by me, that spending time listening to others has more blessings than over-extending myself trying to keep a showroom clean home. Sure, I wish I could feel comfortable having others over, I wish things at home were more relaxing, but I'm also learning that as someone with daily limitations there is only so much I can do, and much of those things I burden myself with really aren't what matters in the bigger picture of things. If I were to die today I would hope the thing that people talked about weren't the dirty floors or the piles of crafts and papers, or laundry, but of a heart focused on God's will and an encouragement to them. I want to be an example of Christ not of Martha. I want people to see that even though I live with daily limitations and ailments that I still praise God for His saving grace and that others can see beyond this world because of my hope I share for my own life beyond this world.
Blessings In Christ,
Crystal
Labels: Bible, chronic illness, church, churches, faith, giving, home, needs, Thankful
posted by Celestial Freak @ 5/12/2008 10:54:00 AM
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