Stop tithing!

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Deutsch: Christus im Hause des Pharisäers, Jac...
Deutsch: Christus im Hause des Pharisäers, Jacopo Tintoretto, Escorial (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some people in the Scriptures loved the Lord so dearly they scandalized themselves by lavishing love, precious ointment, and attention upon Jesus. Prostitutes, overwhelmed at being forgiven, disrupted dinner parties and washed Jesus’ feet with their tears and hair. They poured precious perfumes over Jesus without regard to the protests of those who thought of the profit that could have been realized had the perfume been sold.
These are the same type of people Moses commanded to stop giving to the sanctuary when it was under construction, because they had given too much. What a testimony to heartfelt devotion and gratitude, the twin virtues that comprise the essence of giving.
These are the people who experienced no terror when warned by Jesus that their righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, or else they would not inherit the kingdom of God. Not even the Pharisees’ devotion to the Law’s scruples could approximate the scope of their generosity.
There is a ratio between giving and one’s love for Christ. He who is forgiven little, loves little is how Jesus stated it. By implication he who is forgiven much will love much.
Regrettably, Christians have not been the least bit obedient to the tithe. National figures suggest that giving averages less than 2%. Worse yet, the tithe is only one small portion of the larger need to exercise stewardship over all creation. The giving rate here may not be any better.
Properly understood, the stewardship principle, involves all of life. Actions, thoughts, attitudes, finances, vocations, worship, and witness fall under the scope of stewardship. If we are to live our life Coram Deo, which itself means to bring all of life under God’s authority and unto His glory, we desperately need to learn the principles of tithing and stewardship. Since there is an amazing correspondence between these two terms, this issue of Tabletalk is devoted to encouraging a greater measure of accomplishment in each.

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