tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post9034762887204431391..comments2011-10-08T22:48:32.626-04:00Comments on Thoughts of a Wood Elf: TithingLaedelas Greenleafhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125748354062785426noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-50436636046156181532008-10-13T20:11:00.000-04:002008-10-13T20:11:00.000-04:00First, let me say that both your posts were excell...First, let me say that both your posts were excellent. I think your heart--as I understood it from your first post and saw it more didactically laid out in your second one--is great. <BR/>[Full disclosure: My view of tithing is just like yours: a historical benchmark that originated from God and provides a handy guide to evaluate how well my treasure is where my heart is supposed to be.]<BR/><BR/>My fundamental response to questions and comments about tithing is "Why not?" <BR/>Why not? <BR/>Why not give 10% or more? <BR/>There may be a good reason, and that's fine: God's salvation and love NEVER depend on our actions (like Rae said). But why not strive to get there if it's tough? And if it's not tough, why on earth not give 10% or more? Seriously! That's a small fraction, and the money is all God's, so you're actually "keeping" 90% of His money (though just because we don't give it as tithe doesn't mean we autonomously spend it as we wish. It should all be under His command).<BR/><BR/>I think our response to a 10% tithe is a vivid indicator of our heart. I really hope that the vigor of the 2 responses to your first post were motivated by a genuine concern that you were drifting from salvation-by-faith-alone, and not defenses against God reaching into our pocketbooks. The last paragraph of PhD's comment is the core of it. Taking that as the truth that it is, I then ask... Why not give 10%? :-) And if you're freaking out about that, what's going on in your heart? I CAN'T SAY, and I'm not saying.<BR/><BR/>Sounds like God "pushed a button," and tithing has become like shutting off the TV, or not hitting the snooze so you can have time for a quiet time, or responding kindly when a sibling jabs you verbally, or a million other practical acts that we do that carry out God's lordship and our submission to that with our lives.<BR/><BR/>I honestly revel in the objectiveness of that 10% mark. I look forward to giving God the opportunity to physically demonstrate His faithfulness and promise-keeping as I give 10% or more all my life, whether it's a fraction I never miss, or it feels like I'm giving away everything I have to live on.<BR/><BR/>P.S. We adjust our lifestyles to our income, so if you always tithe and take that out as the first part of your budget, as you go on in life you'll be better able to give that much consistently.Clear Ambassadorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14634693825983654731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-16188149070333821402008-10-13T03:10:00.000-04:002008-10-13T03:10:00.000-04:00Thanks, Heather! I was searching for "tithe," not...Thanks, Heather! I was searching for "tithe," not "tenth." Oops.Laedelas Greenleafhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125748354062785426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-83829277685906337822008-10-11T17:32:00.000-04:002008-10-11T17:32:00.000-04:00or really, vs18-20 is the part about Melchizedek.or really, vs18-20 is the part about Melchizedek.joyfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12417648535523542022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-81740418683369867712008-10-11T17:28:00.000-04:002008-10-11T17:28:00.000-04:00Genesis 14:17-20 - the reference to Abraham's tith...Genesis 14:17-20 - the reference to Abraham's tithe is in v.20joyfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12417648535523542022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-37056044949467156542008-10-10T14:32:00.000-04:002008-10-10T14:32:00.000-04:00Hannah, do you have a reference for the Abraham ti...Hannah, do you have a reference for the Abraham tithe? 'Cos I couldn't find it...I'm just curious :-)<BR/><BR/>Do tell! Hopefully we'll have some time to chat next Sunday!Laedelas Greenleafhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125748354062785426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-83029408394308689192008-10-10T14:22:00.000-04:002008-10-10T14:22:00.000-04:00*chuckles*Remind me to tell you about my experienc...*chuckles*<BR/>Remind me to tell you about my experience with tithing this last week. Irony...<BR/><BR/>Good post. One thing--Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. :) So it was before Sinai.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15130441.post-80953179974674293372008-10-08T15:09:00.000-04:002008-10-08T15:09:00.000-04:00OT tithing was only a benchmark for farmers and he...OT tithing was only a benchmark for farmers and herdsmen who lived inside Israel and the increase came as a miracle of God.<BR/><BR/>OT tithes cound not come from outside Israel or from Gentiles. The poor, carpenters, fishermen and tentmakers did not qualify as tithe-payers.<BR/><BR/>NT giving is freewill, sacrificial, generous, joyful. not by commandment or percentage and motivated by love for God and lost souls. <BR/><BR/>According 2 Cor 8:12-14 many should give more than 10% but that is no grounds to condemn those who cannot do so.<BR/><BR/>www.tithing-russkelly.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com