# On Tithing And The Seduction Of Money Years ago, when I had just started my first job, I decided to play a game with God. It was quite simple. Every Sunday I would take out my wallet and offer all the money in it for my tithe. Id make sure there was the minimum 10% there, of course. Why did I do it? Because I was afraid. I was afraid of being afraid of not having enough money. I wanted to make sure I was leaning on God for my provision. I was also afraid of forgetting Him completely once I had been blessed. It went quite uneventfully until one day in La Union. On the previous day, I had withdrawn all my money in the bank except for a few hundred just for emergency. I took it all out because it was what I needed for a comfortable week of surfing and eating and it was quite a hassle to travel to and from the beach. I was going to have my salary deposited when I got home anyway. I went to church the next morning and I had completely forgotten about it. See, this is why you have to be very very careful when you decite to test the Lord. He will find a way to surprise you, nip you in the bottom, and test YOU if you were serious. Painfully, I gave all of it. What was I supposed to then? I had a week to stay in La Union and I was left with money Id usually spend in one meal in Manila. Heres the wonderful thing though: not only did God provide more than everything I needed, but I realized that all I needed for a happy life was a pair of tattered shorts, a surfboard, good friends, simple food, and a roof above my head. It was the most memorable surf trip I ever had. Fast forward to this morning. The previous night I started planning the coming year by listing my projected expenses: replacing old clothes, monthly bills, healthful food and supplements, investments, a new computer, etc etc etc. Things. Things. Things. Then I read this mornings passage: Deuteronomy 8:11-14King James Version (KJV) 11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Then I realized that not only have I sometimes forgotten to give my tithe, but I have also sometimes rationalized not giving it. I really need to pay my bills this week so I cant give my tithe. or Maybe Ill just make up for it next time., etc etc etc Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. What had happened to the almost naked younger me who was just happy to surf and eat and even thought it was exciting to have no money??? Money had seduced me. I wasnt even rich for crying out loud. The scary thing Ive learned about money is its quite insidious. It creeps into your heart like a seed then it grows into a little vine, ever growing longer and bigger until its covered you completely. You give it a foothold and it will take over. Even when youre careful. A few things Ive learned from the experience: 1. ALWAYS give your tithe. Not only is it the Lords to begin with, but its for your own good also. 2. Be careful when you start rationalizing. You will always find a way to ease your guilt of not giving. Dont become a tithe lawyer. 3. When the giving gets painful then the more you have to give. Its a sign youre getting attached to your money. 4. God will always be far far far far richer than you can ever be. Dont be afraid of leaning on Him for what you need. 5. When you do become fearful, think of it instead as an adventure. Be bold and courageous. Be dangerous. God will make it worth your while. 6. Watch in case of brattiness: https://youtube/watch?v=zTpVI93hddY
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 09:25:56 +0000
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