Channeled Tithing

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why. The following is an excerpt from Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust, A Journey to Financial Dependence.

“… and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 28:22

Does God ever have fun? Does He enjoy surprising His children with gifts?

Watching sports and movies helps my husband and me unwind and often provides our entertainment. We acquired a tiny, hand-me-down, black and white TV when we were married. We appreciated having that set, but longed for a new 25” color console television. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford one.

As we debated using our tithing money, Jim resolved to remain faithful in giving the church 10% of our paychecks. He kept praying for ways to make additional money and eventually an opportunity presented itself at work. The executives’ cars were being auctioned off. If Jim could get one particular car, he would do some body work and resell it at a profit. He submitted his bid and was notified the next day that he won.

Hours later, an executive informed Jim that the car used to be his and he wanted to keep it. The man was out of town and missed the bidding, but offered Jim $200 for the right to purchase the car in his place.

After thinking about it, Jim declined the offer. We needed more than double that amount to pay for our TV. Surprised, the executive asked why we rejected his proposal and Jim revealed our plans for the kind of television we desired.

“Let me get this straight. You don’t even want the car, but you’re buying it to make a profit in order to purchase a TV?”

“Yep,” replied my husband.

“Would you please follow me to my office? I have something you’ll be interested in.”

Jim accompanied the man to the top floor and watched him remove from his desk drawer a portfolio of color console TVs.

Giving it to Jim he said, “If you let me buy that car with your bid, you can have your choice of one of these televisions. All you have to do is go to the warehouse to pick it up.” His brother was a Zenith dealer.

We loved our new TV and learned that the principle of giving back to God, recorded in Malachi 3, is still true today. God not only blesses those who trust and obey Him, He is creative in surprising us. How has God gifted you for tithing?

Comments

[MyFinancialObjectives]

Wow that was a great story. Actually put a smile on my face:) Personally I started an "automatic giving" with my church, and ever since then I have seen continued success at work:) He is an awesome God!

[KH]

I guess I'm old fashioned--I think people should give because it's the right thing to do, not so God will reward them with more money. Seems like that's kind of treating our relationship with God like an ATM or investment account.

Seriously, "God wants you to have a larger TV and will perform miracles to get you one", are you kidding?

[Budgeting in the Fun Stuff]

As I've stated in past posts, we don't tithe 10% but I do volunteer a bunch of time. That hasn't helped me financially, but I love the relationships that have been built. I've made friends and have helped countless dogs...that seems like a reward for me.

But, like KH stated above, shouldn't tithing/volunteering/donating/etc be for the act of helping, not the hope for a reward?

[Jason @ Conservative Sense]

Of course the motivation behind giving should be because it is the right thing to do, and not to get more yourself.

KH is twisting things with his God wants you to have a TV comment. It isn't about God wanting you to have something or giving you something. However, when you do start living your life more in line with how God wants you to live your life, amazing things start to happen.

Of course, God can see intentions, and if you are giving only because you want the reward, you will probably receive a different type of reward: a harsh life lesson.

[Eddie Jones]

Obviously, the main point of the story was that God is faithful to supply for our daily needs... and sometimes He surprises us with more. But God's provision isn't a formula for investing. ALL we have is His. The sooner we understand this, the sooner we'll come to trust him not only with our money, but our life. The Bible is rich with examples of how God blessed those whose small faith led them to trust Him. Like a loving parent, He affirmed their small steps of confidence in His goodness. But we should never expect God to "repay" us for giving back what's His. The joy is in the relationship, not the deposit receipt.

[benzta]

I strongly disagree with many of the comments above (KH, Budgeting, Jason, and the last part of what Eddie said). The Bible says that we should not test the Lord (Matthew 4:7, Luke 4:12) except with one special caveat: tithing! This is the one area where God looks at us and says "try me!" Malachi 3:10 says: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

So here is where I disagree: I absolutely believe that we should tithe (at least) the mandated 10% of our firstfruits (read: before taxes), but I absolutely believe that we should do so with the full expectation of being blown out of the water with what we get in return. Why do I believe this? Because it is a promise God has made to us! True, the "blessing" may not come in monetary fashion, but I'd rather be overabundantly blessed than rich any day...

Also, if you don't believe what I said I believe above, then test God like Malachi says. Test him! Go for a year, or even a month, and give the full 10% (or more) just to see what happens-- just to see what you get back in return. Do it purely just to get back a reward and see what happens-- that's essentially what "testing" him is, right? Just try it and see-- I know I did, and I was fully rewarded!

Why does God allow us to test him in this? First of all, it's simple to do, and it's easy to track, and it's an obvious marker. Second, and most importantly, when you realize that your faithfulness in tithing has resulted in a flooded storehouse, that little kernel of faith inside your heart with grow just a bit more. Maybe you'll put your trust in Him in some other aspects of your life and also find that He is fully trustworthy in those realms as well.

Long story short: test Him, and just watch Him come through and deliver more than you ever thought!

[Chris]

I laugh when people claim to 'tithe' today by giving money to their churches.

God defined what tithing is...who is to give it...and who is to receive it...and why they get it....and what is to be done with it.... in His word.

God says only Israelites are to tithe...Lev 27:1&34 (Not Gentiles Acts 15)
God says only Levites are to receive it...Numbers 18:21-23 (This is a lasting covenant)
God says Levites only get it because they have 'NO inheritance in the Land' (Most pastors own property)
God says we are to EAT our tithes in celebration in His presence ...Deut 14:22-27 (Have you ever been told this?)

Jesus says anyone who changes 'one jot or tittle of the Law will be LEAST in the kingdom of Heaven...and Jesus says tithing IS a 'matter of the Law'

Are you sure you want to continue teaching and promoting this deception?

Chris