Tithe or Offering?

⁸ Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   bring an offering and come into his courts.-Psalm 96:8

Tithe/Offering... is it the same?  I think they are as different as Old Testament and New Testament.  As different as Law and Grace.  As different as "have to" and "want to."

It is so funny to hear folks talk about tithing.  They say things like "It only starts at 10% of your income."  And then they ask questions like, "Is it before or after taxes?"  or "Is that just from work income or also from investments, etc.?"  As someone who occasionally counts the church offering, I've seen obvious tithes come in... obvious because they are written to the penny. 

A tithe is a lot for most people and I am not criticizing those who tithe, because it is a very good discipline.  But for many that's exactly what it is:  discipline, in every sense of the word.  It can feel almost like punishment - God gives me so much, so I MUST give 10%.  Often it is these same people who struggle with giving anything else, because they feel like they give "their part."

On the other hand, there is "offering."  Even the word sounds so much freer... a response of the heart, not the conscience.  A response of love, not fear.  A response of thanksgiving, not of obedience.

You see, the thing is, when we think of all God gives us and all the grace with which he showers us, even our 10% is obviously not enough.  We can't give enough.  Even if we gave it ALL, it still would not be enough.  We just cannot out-give God.

After our wonderful Easter service yesterday, Pastor Chad remarked on a very visual lesson on this topic.  As he was saying the words "we do not give as we ought, but only as we are able" he watched Cecelia dance to the offering song.... (A big thank you to Dan Barker for catching this on video for me!):

Cecelia owns no material things of her own.  But she has this talent and she has great joy in her heart.  At 2 1/2 she doesn't know much about Jesus, but she recognizes that he is good and I think on some level she knows that he loves to watch her dance as much as her Kaymee and Opah do.

By all means, give 10% or more if you want or can... but don't "tithe."  Instead make an offering... not as you ought, but as you are able... and as your heart moves you.

Lord God,
As I am once again reminded of the "Greatest Story Ever Told,"  I know without a doubt that I can never, ever give enough.  Help me to recognize times when I can truly give an "offering."  Give me a generous and loving spirit.  Amen.

Joys:  Watching ushers bring in folding chairs for more room at Easter worship; Getting unexpected time with Cecelia yesterday; wonderful Spring weather