Anne’s post got me thinking about tithing.

Most people get all defensive or down when this topic is brought up. I get PUMPED because I realize that if we can create a culture where Christians tithe, our church will have every resource we need to reach people for Jesus.

And I just believe that Jesus is what life is all about.

Here was my comment on Anne’s blog:

I think the Bible teaches us A TON about tithing but as Christ followers we tend to pick and choose which parts we are ok with.

Some people say that tithing was a old testament law, so therefore we don’t have to do it. But if you look, tithing was actually established as a principle with Abraham. Abraham was tithing his 10% almost 400 years before Moses was ever even born.

So there is the practical side of it. The practical side is this: we are supposed to tithe 10 percent to our local church. That’s the way God has set it all up.

And think about it this way: if EVERY believer did that (attended a church and gave 10%) we would share Christ with the entire world in a matter of months; there would be no such thing as a “lack of resources” in our churches.

But, the Bible also teaches us that tithing has to do with the state of our hearts. I know that in my walk with Christ, my money was the last last last part of my life that I gave to God. We like to give God the easy parts of our lives…sometimes we might even dip into our personal time and serve at an event or a church. But we hold on to that money with a death grip. This is where it becomes a heart issue. Because if God REALLY has your heart, all of it…he’ll have your wallet to.

I have had Christians tell me that tithing isn’t in the new testament. Not true. Jesus only commended the Pharisees ONCE for anything…and it was for their tithing. You can read that story in Matthew 23 (special attention to verse 23).

Here’s what I have found in my own life: Tithing draws me closer to God, giving makes me more like Jesus, and giving is the antidote to the materialism that I battle every day. I can’t think of a better investment to make than one that deals so directly with people’s eternity.

Rick Warren tithes 90% and lives on 10%. I want to do that one day…