I was thinking the other day about the contrast between the tip and the tithe. Many times when going out to eat we feel so very guilty if we do not leave at least a 15% tip. even if we get bad service and leave a smaller tip we still feel a bit guilty (at least in my case anyway). However, so many people feel the inability to tithe because they can not afford it.
So how can we afford the tip but not the tithe? Easy, we budget for it ahead of time.
So we agonize over leaving a 15% tip to someone who brings us our food, whilst we steal from the Creator of the Universe, the Giver of Life, and the Bestower of Blessings.
Or there is the person who leaves a tract in lieu of a tip quoting Peter in the New Testament:
Acts 3:6 KJV
So how can we afford the tip but not the tithe? Easy, we budget for it ahead of time.
So we agonize over leaving a 15% tip to someone who brings us our food, whilst we steal from the Creator of the Universe, the Giver of Life, and the Bestower of Blessings.
Or there is the person who leaves a tract in lieu of a tip quoting Peter in the New Testament:
Acts 3:6 KJV
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
This is far more detrimental as it just makes you look cheap.
In the eyes of the wait staff they just see another "religious" person stiffing them. That is not a good witness or testimony.
If you want to leave a tract and a witness then leave a monetary tip to make them more conducive to read the tract. If you can afford $60 or more for a good meal then you can afford a good tip to maintain a good witness. God has blessed you so share the blessing. In the vernacular of today "pay it forward".
How can we justify giving God less than the person who brings food to us? God created that food, the table, the materials for the building, tha water you drink, the air you breathe and the money you spent. How can we possibly feel that 10% is too hard to give to the Giver of life?
Matthew 6:31-34KJV
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
I have decided to tithe 15% percent off the net income brought in. I was already tithing 10% but then it hit me that I tip the waffle house waitress a bigger percentage than I give to God.
Now there are different ideas on what to tithe so I am going to give you my thoughts as to what is bare minimum, What should be tithed on, etc.
Leviticus 27:32King James Version (KJV)32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.
Malachi 3:8-12KJV
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
God Himself tells us 10 percent of all that passes through our hands shall be tithed. This tithing discourse does not take offerings into account which are a completely different matter.
Perhaps the most important thing in giving is this: God knows the heart, the motivation, and the sacrifice you make. He will reward your gift as He sees it, not as man sees it.
Luke 16:13-15King James Version (KJV)
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Mark 12:41-44KJV
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Personally, I tithe off any monetary amount that comes to me (ok to be honest I must admit I try to, not always succeeding).
I take 15% off the net income.
Why the net and not the gross? Well to be honest I give unto Ceasar his tax, then I give unto God his request off what's left. Then at the end of the year at tax time I tithe off that return as well. Tithing off the gross or the net is a matter of conviction. Giving is the important part. Whatever you do be consistent, budget for it and ,like your taxes, eventually you will not even miss it.
However, in the New Testament there are several scriptures relating to tithes and offerings. Here are just a couple.
One: Making your tithe and offering (how much or how little) in secret. I put the money in an envelope and then I turn the envelope over. I prefer not to make someone feel better or worse based on my monetary giving. That is between me and God. He knows my heart.
Two: God Loves a cheerful giver. One who looks forward to giving to further the Work of the Lord. God does not want you to give just to get a return on your money. God does not want you to give out of fear. God wants you to give out of love for His work, His Word and love for our fellow man.
2 Corinthians 9:7KJV
Three: Do not try to lie to God. He would rather you not give than to lie to Him. God knows the heart, the intent, and the purpose of your giving. God does not need your money. He does not need anything we have. He gave it to us at His pleasure, He can take it away from us at His whim.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
God Himself tells us 10 percent of all that passes through our hands shall be tithed. This tithing discourse does not take offerings into account which are a completely different matter.
Perhaps the most important thing in giving is this: God knows the heart, the motivation, and the sacrifice you make. He will reward your gift as He sees it, not as man sees it.
Luke 16:13-15King James Version (KJV)
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Mark 12:41-44KJV
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Personally, I tithe off any monetary amount that comes to me (ok to be honest I must admit I try to, not always succeeding).
I take 15% off the net income.
Why the net and not the gross? Well to be honest I give unto Ceasar his tax, then I give unto God his request off what's left. Then at the end of the year at tax time I tithe off that return as well. Tithing off the gross or the net is a matter of conviction. Giving is the important part. Whatever you do be consistent, budget for it and ,like your taxes, eventually you will not even miss it.
However, in the New Testament there are several scriptures relating to tithes and offerings. Here are just a couple.
One: Making your tithe and offering (how much or how little) in secret. I put the money in an envelope and then I turn the envelope over. I prefer not to make someone feel better or worse based on my monetary giving. That is between me and God. He knows my heart.
Matthew 6:4KJV
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Two: God Loves a cheerful giver. One who looks forward to giving to further the Work of the Lord. God does not want you to give just to get a return on your money. God does not want you to give out of fear. God wants you to give out of love for His work, His Word and love for our fellow man.
2 Corinthians 9:7KJV
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Three: Do not try to lie to God. He would rather you not give than to lie to Him. God knows the heart, the intent, and the purpose of your giving. God does not need your money. He does not need anything we have. He gave it to us at His pleasure, He can take it away from us at His whim.
Acts 5:1-11 King James Version (KJV)
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Four: Your tithe should be given to your church to further their ministry not to a tv or radio show who says they need your money. Your church should get a tithe of 10% on your talent, time as well.
Now I have nothing against the tv or radio shows if you choose to give after your tithes and offerings to your church. Again it is between you and God.
Also, ensure the accountability of your church and your money as well. We at my church have a monthly business meeting to go over ALL expenditures and budgets. This is not to say that we are to withhold our money if we don't agree or dissent but to make sure you are active and aware of how your money is being put to use.
In summary let me just say a few things. The tithe and the offering are solely up to you. God wants you to freely give. Giving is one of the purest forms of true devotion. God wants you to be devoted to Him.
No matter what you do tithe/do not tithe, offerings, missions etc... Pray and see what God lays on your heart. But as a personal testimony and example I am going to leave these final words.
You can not afford to not tithe. Not tithing, robbing God will result in a loss of blessings, A lack of interest in His work, and a hardening of the heart. Not tithing will affect you far more deeply than you can imagine.
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Four: Your tithe should be given to your church to further their ministry not to a tv or radio show who says they need your money. Your church should get a tithe of 10% on your talent, time as well.
Now I have nothing against the tv or radio shows if you choose to give after your tithes and offerings to your church. Again it is between you and God.
Also, ensure the accountability of your church and your money as well. We at my church have a monthly business meeting to go over ALL expenditures and budgets. This is not to say that we are to withhold our money if we don't agree or dissent but to make sure you are active and aware of how your money is being put to use.
In summary let me just say a few things. The tithe and the offering are solely up to you. God wants you to freely give. Giving is one of the purest forms of true devotion. God wants you to be devoted to Him.
No matter what you do tithe/do not tithe, offerings, missions etc... Pray and see what God lays on your heart. But as a personal testimony and example I am going to leave these final words.
You can not afford to not tithe. Not tithing, robbing God will result in a loss of blessings, A lack of interest in His work, and a hardening of the heart. Not tithing will affect you far more deeply than you can imagine.
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