What a road this fall has been for our economy (and personal finances as well)! Anyone that has money invested in the stock market knows that the term "fall" would certainly apply to more than just the leaves falling from the trees. Unfortunately I believe there is more to come as we are beginning to experience what Larry Burkett called "The Economic Earthquake" in his 1991 book.
Hopefully you are learning with me some of the lessons from these nasty times that God wants us to learn.
Since this is a blog and not a soap box I would really like to hear some of your thoughts. In an effort to encourage discussion, I would like to post some of the questions and comments that arise during the "Journey to True Financial Freedom" (JTTFF) seminar that I do for Crown Financial Ministries.
This time of year is the beginning of the "Seminar Season" for Crown. For whatever reason, there are more JTTFF seminars scheduled in the fall and early spring than any other time of year. My guess is that it has to do with Christmas shopping and the pressure to use and pay off the credit cards that come with the holiday season.
For what it is worth, I will include my thoughts on any question or topic with my next post.
OK, here is the first topic I would like to offer for discussion. I probably get as many questions about giving as I do any other topic during a seminar. Here is the question: Assuming that we understand that tithing refers to 10% of our income, should the entire tithe go to our local church?
I really look forward to hearing others thoughts on this question.
Monday, October 27, 2008
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6 comments:
My understanding is that tithe is given to do the lords work and the local church while doing this work isnt an exclusive recipient of funds to do this. I think that other ministry is also a place where the tithe can be directed and being as it is your part in that ministry I guess in that regard it is in your church. But I do not believe that tithe is limited to one local church environment.
Thanks MSQTech for your response. I really appreciate it and look forward to hearing from others.
There certainly are a lot of good ministries out there that need our support. That support includes first and foremost our prayer support, but also includes our financial support as well. Keswick and Crown Financial Ministries are just two of them.
In Malachi 3:10 we are told to bring our tithes into the storehouse. Wouldn't the Old Testament storehouse be the equivalent of our local church today? And if so, are there guidelines for what the local church should be doing with these tithes?
I like many seniors have 2 checks coming in Soc. Sec. and pension/annuity. The tithe from one goes to my church because of it's ministry. The tithe from the other check goes to other ministries that God has given me a special love for. Then there are always the special gifts that God provides for in some way--not much but it adds up to more than a tithe--which is to me is simply God's provision.
Miriam
I think our church should be first on "our list" when tithing. I think 10% should go to our church, then if we can give more than that 10%, I think that is when we could direct that giving toward other ministries.
I enjoy reading your blog and hearing your insight.
Question for you: When do you feel is a good age to start giving your children/child allowance?
-Katherine
Miriam, thanks for your comment. It reminds me of the widow in Luke 21 where Jesus directs our attention more towards what we keep than what we give.
In today's economy, many seniors on fixed incomes quietly and quickly graduate from the tithing level of giving to sacrificial giving, or giving when we must do without.
Only in eternity will our motives and what it cost us to give be revealed. Matthew 6:4 says ...and your Father, who sees what was done in secret will reward you.
Katherine, Thanks for your thoughts on giving. I believe the Bible presents three levels of giving:
1. Tithe - Leviticus 27:30,32
2. Sharing from abundance - 2 Cor. 8:12-15
3. Sacrificial giving - Luke 21:1-4
I do believe the Bible gives us much more freedom on level 2 and level 3 giving.
As far as your question on allowances is concerned, there is a very good article on Crown's website Children's Allowances about this.
When to give a child an allowance has a lot to do with age, maturity, parents financial situation and other factors. Usually it would be somewhere in their early school years.
However, as soon as a child is handling money, either from an allowance or gift, they should be taught budgeting principles. Use three envelopes, banks or jars and label one savings, one giving and one spending. As they get older keep adding categories and by the time they are teenagers, they will have learned the valuable lesson of living on a budget.
Love, Dad
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