An Invitation To Trust: Ten for Ten
Faith empowers us to give generously. What we do with our pocketbooks is a reflection of the condition of our hearts. Our willingness to give is an indicator of where the priorities in our lives are. Tithing (giving 10 percent) is a statement of faith. If our hearts are filled with the love of Christ, His love will be visible in what we do and give. As Christians today, we are motivated for stewardship by the gift of God’s grace through His Son. Our giving can have no greater foundation than the Gospel of forgiveness.
During the following weeks, we will be challenged to tithe or to grow in the grace of giving by increasing our proportionate amount of giving. Giving is an important part of our worship and praise of Christ. The Apostle Paul said, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Our giving gives our Lord honor and gratitude for Who He is and what He has done.
Tithing is given to us as a guide for proportionate giving. As New Testament Christians, tithing is an expectation rather than a command. For some of us, tithing is already a reality and, through God’s grace, He may be setting a higher standard for us to achieve. For many others, the tithe will be a big leap forward and will be a big test of faith. In Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul’s words promise us that our faith in God to enable our giving is well-placed. “Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us to Him be glory in all the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
We will be exploring what God’s Word says to us on this topic over three weeks beginning on January 20. Then we will be invited to take a ten week challenge on Tithing. Those who do not currently tithe will be invited to try it for ten weeks. Those who currently tithe will be invited to consider a proportionate increase for ten weeks. And through it all, we will be trusting in God’s gracious promises to provide for all of our needs so that we can be generous.
