Are You Giving 100% ?
I’ve been convicted to do more for ‘the least of these’. I keep waiting for an investment to come through so I can take on more than just our four Compassion kids. The other day, it came to me I should look at our budget and see if we could do more with what God’s already given us.
When I did, I was startled to find I was behind on my regular giving to our church. I remember giving a good-sized gift in January, but it was last January, not this year. I thought I’d given from the ‘first fruits’. Instead, I’m behind on my tithe, much less my giving goal.
Which brings up the subject of giving and the tithe.
I listened to a very wealthy friend speak to some young guys about giving. He told about the early days in his married life when he didn’t have much. He and his wife wanted to give more to their church so they decided to tithe on the amount they wanted to make instead of what they were actually making. God increased their income so what they were giving became a tithe. Pretty amazing. Never heard that concept before.
Then I was in a conversation with someone about tithing….about how the concept is “so Old Testament” and not really found in the New. The guy asked me a question. I thought it was going to be one of those trick Bible questions like “Can a donkey talk?” (see Numbers 22:28 if you’re curious)
He said “The New Testament model for tithing is 100%. Wanna’ know how I know?”
Of course I bit.
“Look at Luke 21:4. ‘All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” he said. “Jesus affirmed 100% giving.”
A little extreme?
Yes.
But Jesus was extreme. You are extreme by definition when you’re God in the flesh. The Alpha and Omega. The Creator and Sustainer of everything, walking on this earth in sandals.
But just like His Kingdom had boundaries that went far beyond geographic lines on a map, His concept of giving did too.
We’re always talking about what happens when you go ‘all in’ for Jesus. When you are ‘sold out’ for Christ. When you move from believer, to follower, to disciple-maker. You have a peace that surpasses understanding. You feel loved. Protected. Purposeful. Provided for no matter what.
Same pathway’s there for giving. From “it’s all mine” to “I’ll give God a tithe” to “I’ll give God all of it”. That’s the 100% tithe the guy was talking about.
Only when we give it all to God, acknowledging His ownership of 100% of our money can we experience the peace that comes from being under His protection. He’s the steward of me. I’m the steward of what He gives me. But it’s all His. He can give and take away. He’s still good. And His love for me never fails or goes away.
So, the question is “Will you go 100% for Him?”
He’s already gone 100% for you…and me.
Question: With 3 months to go in 2012, how’s your giving? Will you trust Him with 10%…. or 100% ?
Breathe New Life Into Your Discipleship
Small group mentoring can help you engage your people, build your core group of leaders, and transform your church. Our free resources equip you with all the tools you need to launch a sustainable mentoring program.