Giving…With Just Cause
Should we base our tithe on our pre-tax or post-tax income? This debate occurs somewhat frequently in circles when the topic of tithing arises. I’ve asked the question, too.
Frankly, I’ve decided it’s beside the point. I find it to be a flimsy veil behind which hands are clenched tightly around dollars and ‘stuff.’ What, then, will liberate treasure from our grubby little mitts?
Commitment and Sacrifice
With commitment comes a loss of freedom. Committing to give in the form of dollars or hours implicitly requires denial of self in another area, if for no other reason than we lack infinite resources.
Sacrifice, by definition, isn’t sacrifice unless it costs something. When we give to a charitable organization, including churches, we commonly deduct it on our Federal taxes, rendering our sacrifice less costly to us.
Purpose and Pleasure
Why do we give? Why should we give? The reasons are many, but ultimately are distilled into two main categories:
- We love God and give as a form of worship, an expression of adoration and obedience.
- We ascribe value to others as God’s created beings and give to benefit them in this life or eternal.
Sacrifice
the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.
Certainly God Almighty has a higher, more pressing, claim on what we possess than we, ourselves, do. Will we surrender all to Him? It is His; just on loan to us.
Consider Proverbs 21:3 ESV:
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
and Hebrews 13:16 ESV:
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Do we value our time and money more than the well-being of another? Our choices, to sacrifice or not, have a very real impact on the lives of others.
- What if denying yourself the freedom to buy another pair of jeans afforded someone else freedom from bondage in human trafficking? It can.
- What if foregoing a $3.50 latte, for merely one day, would purchase food, water, healthcare, schooling – and more! – for three days for a child in impoverished conditions. It would.
- What if paying a little more for a Fair Trade good interrupted the cycle of poverty for a family? It does.
When put into that framework, it is easier to see the purpose – and pleasure – of giving. We surrender our goods for the good of another. Doesn’t that make quibbling over whether to give on pre- or post-tax dollars seem small? Denial of self for benefit of another: isn’t this what Christ did? Our giving is a means of emulating Christ and thus a part of our sanctification.
Where we currently see only our loss in the form dollars leaving our wallets, may we instead see gain in the forms of food in the mouths of the hungry, keys to loose chains around wrists, and hands joined in solidarity that there might be no needy among us (Acts 4:34,35). It is utterly in our power to make a difference in the very life of another. May we be open-handed, for we have been given the privilege of doing so.
In addition to the well-known organizations linked here,
please take a moment to look at some smaller organizations
hard at work being the hands and feet of Christ.
Add to the list in the comments:
The Mercy Project Colorado
INsideOUT Salon
Rembrandts Coffee House
I so enjoyed reading this, Kirsten! Like they say, “God wants generosity FOR us, not from us”. Not only can we positively impact others with our sacrifices, but it does our hearts so much good! It just reaffirms how mighty our Lord is, and that He alone can provide for our every need. Thanks for taking the time to write on this topic, and so beautifully! <3
I so enjoyed reading this, Kirsten! Like they say, “God wants generosity FOR us, not from us”. Not only can we positively impact others with our sacrifices, but it does our hearts so much good! It just reaffirms how mighty our Lord is, and that He alone can provide for our every need. Thanks for taking the time to write on this topic, and so beautifully! <3
I so enjoyed reading this, Kirsten! Like they say, “God wants generosity FOR us, not from us”. Not only can we positively impact others with our sacrifices, but it does our hearts so much good! It just reaffirms how mighty our Lord is, and that He alone can provide for our every need. Thanks for taking the time to write on this topic, and so beautifully! <3
Great blog today!!!!
Great blog today!!!!
Great blog today!!!!
Great blog today!!!!
Amazing writing. What a great message!
Amazing writing. What a great message!
[…] Instead of hoarding, God calls me to blessing. Instead of ‘having something to have it’, He urges me towards ‘having something to give it.’ Through this others will blessed with even their most basic needs. And it will result in thanksgiving to God. Herein lies the purpose in giving. […]
[…] Instead of hoarding, God calls me to blessing. Instead of ‘having something to have it’, He urges me towards ‘having something to give it.’ Through this others will blessed with even their most basic needs. And it will result in thanksgiving to God. Herein lies the purpose in giving. […]
[…] Instead of hoarding, God calls me to blessing. Instead of ‘having something to have it’, He urges me towards ‘having something to give it.’ Through this others will blessed with even their most basic needs. And it will result in thanksgiving to God. Herein lies the purpose in giving. […]
[…] Instead of hoarding, God calls me to blessing. Instead of ‘having something to have it’, He urges me towards ‘having something to give it.’ Through this others will blessed with even their most basic needs. And it will result in thanksgiving to God. Herein lies the purpose in giving. […]
[…] Instead of hoarding, God calls me to blessing. Instead of ‘having something to have it’, He urges me towards ‘having something to give it.’ Through this others will blessed with even their most basic needs. And it will result in thanksgiving to God. Herein lies the purpose in giving. […]