Giving can be a very loaded and passionate conversation starter.Even mentioning the word ‘tithe’ can cause some people to break out into a cold sweat, and others to become defensive and nonresponsive. Why is it such a difficult subject for us to tackle?
Giving a tithe is an act of worship brought about by our love for God. And yet something I have been pondering recently is giving above and beyond tithing. Sponsoring a child with Compassion for the majority of us is not a huge sacrifice. If the worst comes to the worst we have to forego a Chinese takeaway or a few cups of coffee for the monthly sponsorship cost.
When I hear stories of mothers struggling relentlessly every hour of the day to provide just enough food for her children to survive, let alone thrive, then my giving and the whole concept of giving sacrificially in my life needs a serious exploration. When a father has to have one meal a day whilst working in the quarry, so that his children can have enough food and therefore energy to stay awake at school, something in me needs to change.
This image reminds me that I must look up to those who struggle, to those who give of themselves sacrificially for the betterment of others. What a tremendous example.
As I sit here, typing away my thoughts, I am convicted of my own giving. Are my tithes and my giving out of the excess I have, or are they sacrificial?
