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The law's tithing versus the Gospel's free generosity

Next time you're at a church social function, go up to groups of people who seem to be having fun and start talking about tithing. Most will run for cover faster than vampires at dawn.  But the ones who remain may have an interesting story to share.

That's because a wide majority of churchgoers believes giving a tenth of their gross income is utterly impossible and totally unrealistic. For instance, if a family makes $52,000, that would be a donation of $100 a week. If they're typical "2 percenters,"  they put a $20 bill in the weekly offering envelope, and it's truly a real stretch to ask them to put in the other $80 for a tithe.

Some churchgoers criticize tithing as too rigid and legalistic -- more the province of Pharisees and scribes than of Christians, who, after all, have been freed by Jesus from the law. Yes, it's true, we are free from the law, but as Martin Luther points out, the law does serve God's purpose in the lives of faithful people.

First, the law helps keep order in our world by shaping our outward behavior. If people are giving financially to the work of God because they feel compelled to do so, they are still contributing financially to the work of God.

But the second use of the law is more to the point. The daunting requirements of the law can lead us to despair and guilt and awareness of our selfish, sinful nature. That in turn causes us to turn to the Gospel for its message of freedom and joy. And in response, we give more, and more and more.

That's the story you may hear from the people still talking to you at the church function. Most people who have taken the plunge of tithing have found it surprisingly rewarding. (Read the story of one such a tither in today's Resources.) The satisfaction they get from giving money away leads many to offer well above the 10 percent level.

It's counterintuitive to think that giving away more money will actually make you feel richer, happier and more fulfilled, but that's a very common experience of tithers. By walking on the path of the law of tithing, they have actually found themselves in a place where they can enjoy the Gospel's freedom for generosity. They have learned the truth of Jesus's observation of Matthew 6:21: "Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also."

 --Rob Blezard, Webmaster and editor
(Want to reprint this message? Great! Read the note at the asterisk * below!)

New this week!

Radical generosity
 This is the testimony of a business owner who went from a typical giver -- a cautious, "sacrificial" 2 percent giver -- to a deliriously happy tither. "The thing that has amazed us most is the joy! We experience more joy and satisfaction from the money we give away than from the money we keep. I have learned that among tithers this is a very common experience." Click here for "Radical generosity." It's just one of the helpful stewardship resources from Stewardship in the 21st Century at Luther Seminary.

The measure of a steward
"We are the Body of Christ in this world.  Not just when we gather in church.  Sure, church is where the bread is broken and we are constituted into the Body of Christ, but it is in the world where we work and play that we are sent to be Christ to a hurting world." Click here for this weekly column from Pastor Dana Reardon. Click here to peruse columns from her archives.
 

Fundamentals of Christian Stewardship
Here's a no-nonsense explanation of what stewardship means to a walk of faith. "Jesus invites his disciples to practice inward freedom from consumption. Those who aspire to embrace Christian stewardship will be compelled to renounce a preoccupation with possessions and consumption." Click here for "Fundamentals of Christian Stewardship," from the Archdiocese of Detroit, Roman Catholic Church.


5 ways to beat the clock
Stewardship of your personal time -- and how timely! In the gospel for this past week the apostles were so busy they didn't even have time to eat. Here are some ideas for modern-day apostles like us. This article lists five tips for young adults, but they really apply to all of us. From Campus Life magazine.  This week's Treasure Chest offering. 


* Permission is eagerly granted to publish the message for local, nonprofit use. Please drop me a line at rcblezard@earthlink.net to let me know you're using it, and be sure to publish it with the following notice: 
(c) Copyright 2006 by the Rev. Rob Blezard, webmaster for the Stewardship of Life Institute, www.stewardshipoflife.org. Used by permission.