Ten percent

We read in the Old Testament about the practice of giving a tenth back to God.  This practice is often called "tithing".  We see examples and commands about tithing in Leviticus 27:30-32 and in other parts of Scripture.

What do you understand about the practice of "tithing"?  Is it something in the Old Testament that does not carry into the Church's practice today?  Or should the Church still continue to practice tithing?  If not a tenth, then how much should one put into one's offering?

Some people believe that churches should not teach about tithing as a current day practice.  A summary was put together by Russ Kelly which said that:

• The New Testament teaches that we should give generously, and not be bound by 10% rules;
• Old Testament practice of tithing was in relation to food within Israel only;
• Other offerings were given to God, eg. first fruits, not just tithes;
• No minimum amount was set in giving;
• Levites received tithes but were not allowed to own land;
• There were four tithes - religious/Levitical tithe, feast tithe, poor tithe, and tithe to the ruler;
• The poor did not tithe;
• Tithes were a form of political taxes;
• New Testament did not teach tithing but generosity;
• Church growth happened as church shared everything;
• New Testament teaches cheerful giving, not unwilling calculated giving.

Kelly had a few more points in his list.  Do you believe his exposition, though?

A criticism of tithing was found in Steve West's write-up about the practice of Hillsong.  Apparently, Hillsong is a church that teaches and practices tithing.  The church's leaders and the church consequently rakes in a lot of money, and even then, asks that tax-free concessions that are intended for poorer, struggling churches be applied to them.

But is that church not prosperous because of God's blessing to them?  Is the criticism warranted?  Or is it an abuse that has been exposed?  Is it wrong for church ministers to be financially well-to-do?

What do you think?  What do you believe?  How much are we giving to the Lord through the churches?  Is it 10%?  More?  Less?  How do we be generous back to God, who has blessed us with everything we have and so much more?

Awesome, good

"I once preached a sermon in which I described a recent holiday as 'awesome'.  An earnest student came to me at the end. 'David, only God is awesome,' she said."

These words of David Bracewell in an early edition of "Daily Bread" set me thinking.  What is awesome?  How do we use this word?  Is it an attribute reserved to be used only for God the way "holy" is only reserved for God?  What do you think?  How do you use this word?

The passage reminds me of Jesus' response to the rich young ruler "why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone".  Jesus was not saying that He was not good.  Nor was He saying that "good" is an attribute of God that people cannot claim.  But He did make the point that God is good.  He also used that to point out to his audience that he (and we) are not good enough for eternal life, except that it be given to us by the grace of our good God.

Do you consider yourself to be good?  Do you think you are good enough to deserve eternal life?  Why or why not?  How good do you think is good enough?

What do you think about these attributes?  How do they relate to you?