By Keisha Dawn – Dallas South News Intern
To tithe or not to tithe. Is that the question? Bible followers using the Word as the manual wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ten percent of one’s first fruits is referenced in the scriptures as belonging to God. At one time that meant cows and crops or gold and silver, but today tithing generally means dollars and cents. We are no longer directed to walk dust filled streets exchanging cattle to pay debts in order to survive.
Stocks, bonds, CDs and cash itself make the world go round. People are at liberty to do with their money what they choose. Or are they? If you walk in the promises from above, you know the answer as instructed by Matthew 23:23.
Regardless of what economists say, Americans are still feeling the grips of the economic downturn. Jobs have been lost and homes are in foreclosure. The whole giving model has changed for many individuals. Non-followers and followers justify their aversion to tithing by saying their money goes towards supporting the church or the preacher instead of God himself.
Christians question God’s word when it comes to tithing but don’t give a second thought to tipping our favorite waiter in our favorite restaurant. For a few moments of pouring drinks and bussing tables we smile, hand over our credit cards and offer up 15-20% of our bill. But doesn’t God deserve more than a tip? When it comes to God we’re more likely to hold out our hands than dig in our wallets.
Senior pastors who lead churches encourage parishioners to give because God’s Word tells us to. It’s faith in knowing that when Luke 6:38 tells us to give, it’s an order from above. There should be no detours like so many other requirements we stray from. Believers must have faith in God that He will provide.
So the next time the tithing envelope is offered, take it and know that ten percents is all God is seeking. And by all means don’t forget that the one asking was the one who “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Keshia Dawn is a student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and author of the novel His Grace, His Mercy. She can be reached at keshia@dallassouthnews.org
Edited by Shawn Williams
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