Random Thought

Source

The Bible indeed speaks of tithing, and I am guilty like many others for not consistently giving my 10%. In my defense, I am unemployed and a student. I give generously but I don't actually sit and calculate whether or not it's my actual 10%. It is to my understanding that the most consistent tithers are either those who were raised in such a fashion or those who have spiritually grown to that point. With that being said I must include those who have other agendas. My parents were avid tithers and always spoke of the benefit of giving God His share. After all, what's 10%? I went to a private Catholic undergraduate institution in which the nuns explained that they only kept 20% of their salary as professors and gave the other 80% to the church, upkeep of the convent and charities. Talk about a truly admirable thing. The requirement is only 10%, but these ladies are giving 8x that amount in overflow. So again why is 10% so difficult to scrap up?


I've battled with many thoughts and concerns when dealing with financial handlings in church. One in particular that relates to this topic can't go unmentioned. In giving God His share is it necessary that your name is attached to it? Doesn't He already know who you are? I've thought about this for many years now, but why is it the church's business whether or not I tithe. Why must I be assigned a member number, given an envelope to fill out, etc.


Ok so maybe you think I'm being petty, but hear me out. The church that I was born and raised in used to annually produce a list that was both posted and handed out to the congregation that included the contributions that each family had made via tithing. It didn't include a member number. Full names were exposed on this list. I thought it was a rather tacky way to expose who wasn't doing what they could or should or those who just plain couldn't do at all. Furthermore, certain plentiful givers were often mentioned and referred to in service. I've been to churchs where pastors have praised brother so-and-so for mailing in his tithes promptly every month, thanked sister so-and-so for her cheerful $1000 donation, and so forth. Since when was God all about the money and needed to acknowledge who does what? I've always tithed with cash, no envelope simply because my tithing is personally between me and God. It's not your job to shun me for not tithing or to beg for more money to please your needs or build some master church that you feel that you need. I don't see the necessity in notifying the church that I'm tithing and this exact amount is 10% of my income allowing nosy people to do the math to figure out the rest.


Let's face it. The Christian church has been one of the biggest scandals known to man. God didn't intend for it to be that way. I don't think it's appropriate to get tax breaks or decreased Christian school tuition for the kiddies just because I'm documented as a "cheerful giver". The point of tithing isn't supposed to be for self gain or public humility if others know you don't make much to give much. It's supposed to be a personal humbling experience held between you and Our Savior. Maybe my opinion of this will change one day, but until then I'll continue slipping my cash tithes into the collection plate. God knows my heart and my intentions. His opinion is the only one that matters.