Quick question,
Should I tithe my child benefit and working tax credits?
I know its about a cheerful giver, I should take it to God in pray [I have] I wanna know you lot think - I know the bible sciptures on it too.
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5 comments:
I'm wondering where you're coming from with this question. What are the circumstances, what is your mindset, what is your attitude, what has someone said to you, what is your conscience whispering, or is the accuser standing at your shoulder asking this question? When you say you know the scriptures, what are they? How do you interpret them?
Coincidentally or not (probably not, in my guess - probably a prompting of the Holy Spirit), shortly before I read your question, I was reading a statement of faith about tithing which begins with the words: 'Tithing is a private matter between the individual and God because it is an act of worship.' I don't believe Jesus wanted us to get hung up on legalism - many of his recorded words indicate his dislike of external religion and legalism, where the commandments which were intended to be a path to blessing had been turned around to become a burden.
The statement of faith about tithing went on to say:
'It is not the job of the church to "enforce" or "police" tithing, but simply teaches the responsibility to tithe. Each individual has the responsibility to "honor the Lord with his substance and with the firstfruits of all his increase." Tithing and free will offerings are the method by which the gospel is proclaimed to the world.'
I remember you've spoken of having enjoyed the blessings of obedience, of having enjoyed seemingly miraculous gifts of money, miraculous in the sense of their timing and the amount meeting a pressing financial need, suggesting you are already walking in obedience with your conscience and God's word when it comes to tithing.
I'm not sure of the wisdom of giving a direct answer to your question but I'll share a few thoughts.
With regards child benefit - although most of us parents tend to treat it as another part of our income, if you look at the name of it, the original intention was (I believe) that it was to benefit the children. Going by what Jesus said "Whose name is on this coin?" and "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's" would suggest to me that you're not entitled to tithe the child benefit because it's not really 'yours', it's to benefit the children. Much as God wants us to know the abundant blessings of walking in obedience, I don't think He would want to rob our children! It's not like He needs the money - and you're already acknowledging His provision through tithing your own income.
Does it help if you turn your question into 'want' statements and check out if they are true?
So instead of a 'should' (possibly leading into the legalistic arguments/justifications etc), you say "I want to tithe my child benefit and working tax credits (in order to put God's Word to the test and see if He opens the floodgates of Heaven even wider and pours out so much blessing that I won't have room for it)" then ask yourself "Is this true". If it's not, then you probably have your answer for now. God wants us to be authentic with Him, doesn't He? But that said - it might lead you into a pretty neat prayer! David Dennington tells the story of a young man he knows who prayed a prayer about wanting to have given away a million pounds by the time he died - when I heard it, I thought 'how shrewd' - because obviously his life would have to be blessed with sufficient money flowing through it to answer that prayer. There is no law against being shrewd - we're encouraged to be as gentle as doves and as shrewd as serpents, aren't we?
If you would be interested to hear the story of my own experience regarding the question of benefits and tithing, please don't hesitate to ask.
Hope this helps!
Fantastic answer Trish, if others want an answer to the same question, I would use your answer as the wisdom they need. Thank you for being wise and frank and not skirting around the corners. I like direct honesty. Wishy washy answers don't cut with me, they are like a luke warm church - what use are answers that don't answer?
Thank you again Trish for being wise little you.
I would say your 'comment' was a blog in itself :o)
Now I've been blessed by your response! Praising the Lord!
:-0
LOL you know I mean it very much, you have alot of wisdom. Don't hide your lamp under a bush [although I know this is tlking abt your joy in God! LOL] Quit now Christina Quit now girl! LOL :o)
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