(no subject)

[sylvar]

DISCLAIMER: This is not a rant. I think Jodi is a good person. Why else would I be marrying her?

This Sunday, Jodi was shocked to hear that I put two dollars in the envelope for church offerings. She thought it was way low; I explained it was all I had, and sometimes I put in a five, but I was never sure exactly what most people do or what was expected.

Then again, I once horrified my aunt when I offered a two-dollar tip on a haircut. I usually went to a six-dollar barber and tipped one, but I knew I was at a classier place so I doubled the tip. My aunt looked at me like I'd just blown my nose with the boss's necktie, and took a few more dollars from my hand and gave them to the hairdresser.

Jodi says she thought it was supposed to be a 10% tithe. If I ever give that much, I want to write a check and get a receipt for tax purposes! She thinks this is pure-dee tacky. I think it's good sense.

I'm also trying to make sense of Deuteronomy 14:25-26, which seems to be saying that I should offer this tithe to God by having a fancy dinner in God's honor. Which I don't object to -- I can see spending two days preparing a feast as a deliberate way to celebrate our blessings. (But I don't think I could spend 10% of my yearly income on it!) Or does this mean I should spend 10% of my income on eating out? I probably *do*.

And then there's 2 Corinthians 8:10-15, which seems to be saying I shouldn't worry about how to carve out an extra 10% from my budget, but I should actually go and set up their spare computer as a web and e-mail server instead of just talking about it.

I dunno; what are y'all's thoughts on all this?

Comments

[pandorable.livejournal.com]

i recommend talking to your pastor about it. i know that when i was attending services regularly i gave what i could, but i was never able to tithe. From what i've read, tithe actually means 10th. it was applied as a tax, a requirement back in the day... If this is something that is weighing on your heart, i'd look into other ways you could tithe, as far as i understand it, it doesn't have to be monetary. Cain and Abel gave fruits of their labor, maybe you could offer computer services to your church.

i found this site... (http://www.mindspring.com/~k.w/tithe/tithe.html)

'how much should Christians give? Each Christian "...should give what he has decided in his own heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7) No set amount or percentage of income is dictated, rather, "...if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12) ... law of the tithe. Instead, they should give according to the following four New Testament guidelines. Christian giving should be:
· Proportional to one's income (1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 8:12)
· Consistent (1 Corinthians 16:2)
· Sacrificial (Mark 12:43-44, 2 Corinthians 8:2-3)
· Cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7) '

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Bless you (and thank you) -- I think your idea is a very good one. "What one has" is skill.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but thanks also for keeping away from bridges and razors. You've helped me today.