Ninety Days, Days Forty Seven and Forty Eight.
When this 90 Day journey through the Bible ends in December, I may very well go back and re-read the book of Ecclesiastes again. The repetition of the idea that “everything is meaningless” (Eccl 1:2) can get me down, but take a step back and think about it: nothing we have today goes with us when we die.
That book I just bought from Amazon? It’s going to sit on that shelf, unread.
My new iPod touch? I guess Margaret and Hank will fight over who gets to use it.
My Weber Q grill? Probably will be given to one of my buds.
As much as I enjoy these things here today, none of it goes with me when I die. They may give me enjoyment while I own them now, but none give me ultimate pleasure or joy.
I look at my various financial assets – these are all accounts with money for retirement, college savings, and day-to-day living. All are good to have, are very useful, and I do enjoy managing these on a regular basis. But a subtle shift has occurred in the way that my wife and I view our finances.
We’ve come to realize that none of our assets are ours.
The writer (presumably Solomon) of the book of Ecclesiastes says this in chapter 5, verses 10-11:
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
Earlier today I read this in Mark Batterson’s blog regarding finances:
1) God can do more with 90% than I can do with 100%
2) You cannot out give God
3) To be blessed beyond your ability you need to give beyond your ability
4) When you start tithing, your financial problems become God’s problem
5) The tithe keeps money from becoming your master
6) Tithing positions you for blessing
7) Tithing = TrustingIn my personal experience, tithing makes finances fun. It infuses me with economic optimism because I’m walking in obedience. I live in holy anticipation to see the way God is going to provide!
He summed up perfectly for me why I tithe, and just as importantly, why our family has chosen to be generous in giving away our income. We have more than we need to live our lives. Besides “our income” isn’t ours anyway.
So I need to believe that God can do more with the 90% he’s given me than I can with 100%. After all, if it’s not going with me when I die, then what he’s “given” me is merely a rental while I’m walking this rock.
So what’s keeping you from being generous?
We’ve come to realize that none of our assets are ours.
Our pastor finished up a four week series on finances and God (not in the context of an annual campaign; we never have those) which made the above point as the focus of the series. The tough thing to grasp and truly believe, is that once you act in accordance with that precept, God will take care of your needs and provide more to further His will, not ours.
Cheers.
Exactly. The act of giving an offering (or tithe) is a significant act of faith – it is as much a spiritual decision as it is to believe in Christ.