In my life I have noticed that God regularly pushes me to give a little bit more than I think I am able to. I guess that is the whole point – He is stretching me to see if I am going to depend on my own ability or put my faith in His ability to provide for what He is asking me to do.
I have been giving 10% of my income for almost a decade now and have witnessed God’s faithfulness as we gave. There have been good times and times when things were really tight and I hung onto Philippians 4:19 – but in all of it I can confidently say that God was faithful.
Giving more in 2010
After spending some time in prayer recently I got some direction that we are to step up our giving to a higher level this year. 10% has been great, but this year I feel God calling us to give beyond the 10%. And like usual, it is a little bit of a step of faith. But you know, I have been here before. After you walk with God for a while, you start to notice that God really seems to enjoy having us step out in faith. After all, without faith it is impossible to please Him (Heb 11:6).
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little timid about taking the leap, but every time I take steps like this I get to witness God do some pretty cool things. I am expecting nothing less in 2010.
Anyone else sensing a call to give more this year?
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn’t it almost funny how when we give more (even if we don’t think we can afford it), God provides even more? I commend you on your generosity. My wife and I are gradually working on getting up to 10%. Life with new triplet girls makes it harder but He always provides.
That is so exciting Bob! It’s great to see that the Lord is calling you to that. It’s ironic that I just wrote an article regarding tithing. I remember when God called me to do it, and it was a step of faith. I’m sure that giving more than 10% is also a step of faith, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about how God uses this in your life. God bless you!
I’d like to try it with you. I think the most difficult part about this is giving more than 10% consistently. I’ve been able to give more before but continuing to keep that higher level is a challenge. It’s a matter of actually planning (budgeting) it in instead of just giving the extra leftovers.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Bob,
Have you ever thought about giving in a long term kind of way? So a gifting plan (through Trusts or Life Insurance or a Charitable Gift Annuity) rather than just an extra check?
Why or Why not?
Evan,
I have thought about it, and will visit options like that in the future, but for this year, I feel the extra should mostly be given to my home church…
Anyone else sensing a call to give more this year?
Yes!
“To whom much is given much is required”
I have been blessed on so many levels in 2009 and have been afforded many opportunities. I want to sow back…I’m just not sure where. I plan to increase my giving in my home church but also want to give in other areas.
I’ll be the first to admit it is not always easy…but it is indeed satisfying.
I’m planning to make a bump. I’m increasing my giving on my primary income and going to 20% on my supplemental income. I’m excited to see what God does.
Didn’t mean home church vs. another church, I meant something more along the lines of:
http://www.myjourneytomillions.com/articles/advanced-charitable-giving-life-insurance/
I see what you mean. Steps of faith can be incredibly hard to take, but I hope that as you see how benicifial it can be with your relationship with Him. I don’t make large figures, so I tend to be stingy, so tithing my dues is hard for me. I hope you improve as much as I will!
Rober
We’ve really found that once we got into a good monthly budget rhythm, tithing and then additional offering became one of the most joyous parts of each month. We definitely don’t think more of ourselves because we do it, but instead feel so blessed to have the resources to give. Giving 10% is a great place to start, and I think when you do, God empowers you to go even further.
Most Christians give less than 3%. Why? Too much debt is one reason. Another is materialism.
Is the 10% supposed to be on the gross or on after tax income?
when our church (Mountain View Madrid) did a serries on tithing two things struck me. 1. the brilliance of tithing, Christians who tithe regularly say that 90 goes as far as a 100, and two you find money for things that are poirtiies. On the first point it is Gods way of providing for his people and his chruch, if 90 goes as far as a 100 than every Christian can afford to tithe.
Secondly you find money for things you want (like a 42 inch flat screen TV)
For me the most important is to set tithe up as an automatic payment, other wise I tend to forget and then am short at the end of the month.
Personally I tithe only on the net that is the money I receive and I don’t calculate it to the penny either.
I like to hear this kind of faith, Bob. I’m glad you’re asking God to direct you here. My wife and I have stretched our giving in the past and it too has been uncomfortable at times. But so well worth it! God has blessed our family more than we could have ever imagined. As you said, you’ve been there before. It’s uncomfortable at first, but there is no place I’d rather be than dependent on God almight to provide!
I don’t believe God to be legalistic about tithing, but I do think the Bible suggests that tithing means doing so on what you bring home, before you do anything else. It’s God teaching us discipline and giving with a joyful heart!
I just read your, closed to comments, thread on tithing and if it was open I would have quoted Billy Graham when he was asked if 10% was scriptual. He said and I never forgot, ‘Most Christians find that 90% goes futher than a 100.
As an aside I find it sad that American churches spend so much energy and money on buildings. On couple going back to the states in a few weeks commented on how their church was in the middle of a TEN MILLION DOLLAR building fund raiser, this is on top of the normal costs of running a church. That would fund our church for a 100 years.
On the other hand my family attends a Canadian mega church (only a 1000 people) and the costs of just cleaning the church would fund the homeless outreach my brother in law runs for a whole year.
Also to me tithing (whether 10% of net or gross) is more about you trust and faith in God than in rules and regulations.