Week 2 - Thurs. - Josh

4/13
Tithing
When it comes to tithing, it means 10%. While there is no new testament statement drawing 10% as the line to meet, the Old Testament background of the command to tithe constitutes giving a tenth (Genesis 14:20 “Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” - Genesis 28:22 “and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." - Deuteronomy 14:22 “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” and several more). Many feel that the New Testament interpretation of tithing is “give what you can” or “what feels right”, but I see the New Testament as urging us to give more and do so joyfully.
Members of a congregation should give the full amount of their tithe to their local church. This is a practice referred to as storehouse tithing (Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.) Malachi indicates that the entirety of a person’s tithe should be brought into the service of God’s house, what many would interpret as the local church. In reserving the full tithe for the local church God promises to pour out his blessing, something that is much more satisfying that any warm fuzzies one may get from giving to a cause.
I think that those who give to the church should be thanked. While those who tithe should not be out looking for thanks, or any sort of return for their giving, there is a greater joy in giving when you know that your sacrifice is being noticed.