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Bring The Whole Tithe Into The Storehouse As we prepared to take up the offering on Passion Sunday, I read the following text…
I usually use this sentence from the 1928 BCP at the offertory. Occasionally, I’ll add the following as well…
There are sixteen scriptures altogether on Pages 72 & 73 which serve to remind us of the goodness and provision of God and how we ought to give back to him in all that we do as a show of our thanks and trust in Him. We are first made aware of the “offering” principle in Genesis, chapter 4, when Cain and Able bring their offerings or “first fruits” to the Lord. Scripture says, “Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.” We’re not entirely clear on why Abel’s offering was accepted by the Lord but Cain’s was not. It may have been that Cain’s offering was given as a testimony of his own hard work tilling the soil while Abel’s was given as a thankful acknowledgement of God’s blessing and provision on his flocks. It may also have been simply that God knew that there was evil in Cain’s heart and so warned him saying, “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.” We know that God needs nothing from us (He has no needs) so we must surmise that giving back to God, in thankful recognition of His provision for us, benefits us immensely as we remain in right fellowship with Him with a proper understanding of our role in our relationship with Him. We are first made aware of the tithe (meaning tenth) principle in Genesis 14:18-20…
What a remarkable paragraph! Melchizedek, King of Peace and priest of God Most High (before God had even created the priesthood) is presumed by most to be Jesus himself, a Christophany. After the blessing, Abram gives Him a tenth of all he owned. Later, that amount is codified and becomes the rule of Law among the Jews. Better to give out of a heart of loving thankfulness like Able and Abram than out of an obligation to the law, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, wouldn’t you agree? Today, under the new covenant, most orthodox scholars agree that the tithe is an acceptable starting point as it pertains to giving of our monetary wealth. But we should also consider that, just as Jesus gave all of Himself for us, so we should give all of ourselves to Him and to each other (Acts 2:42-47). We give to GOD as we give of OURSELVES as we give to EACH OTHER in our time, energy, AND money (Matt 25:35 & 36). As we understand the principle of lovingly, thankfully, giving back to God, we begin to fully realize our partnership and our relationship with Him in this earth to effect the change only His love can effect to win the hearts and minds of men and make disciples of every nation. Paul writes to the Philippians in chapter 4, verses 1-20…
Are you in humble circumstances? Give in love, by faith, out of your circumstance. Are you in abundance? Give generously, in love, by faith, out of your abundance. As God led me on Passion Sunday, I read from the prophet Malachi, chapter 3, beginning in verse 6…
I would encourage all of us, no matter our age, to continue or begin to tithe from our weekly paychecks. This includes our youth who have just begun to work in some of their first jobs. The simplest way is to tithe on the net amount (the actual amount of the paycheck). Some people round-up to the nearest $1 or $5 amount. Some folks tithe on the gross amount (the amount before taxes). Still others actually offer much more as God gives them faith. I think God will show us something wonderful about himself as we become engaged in this aspect of our relationship with Him. I also think it will absolutely cause the floodgates of Heaven to open and pour down blessing upon us without measure. Amen? Amen! Caritas Christi Urget Nos, Fr. Jim+ Previous Canon's Corners... |
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Last Update: Friday, June 11th, 2010 06:50
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