Sunday, August 25, 2024, Dr. Tim McConnell, lead pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, shared this list of “Why I Tithe,” from Russell Johnson, a pastor in Seattle. (Neither of us knows anything about Russell.)
Tim delivered the list rapid-fire, the same way Russell Johnson did, but I found the snippet on Tik-Tok and captured the list, which I present without comment. (By “tithing” I assume he means regular giving to one’s church, as distinguished from giving to meet the needs of the poor or supporting missionaries. However it’s defined, this is a good list for why believers should be giving.)
- It provides for God’s house.
- It tells God I trust him.
- It creates margin in my life for God to fill.
- It reminds me that I am not my source.
- It connects my money to Kingdom purpose.
- It gives my job eternal significance.
- It transforms my money into a seed.
- It breaks greed and self-reliance off of my heart.
- It lets everything else in my life know that God is first.
He goes on to say:
Tithing is not an act of generosity, it’s an act of obedience…We have an obedience problem. God doesn’t need my money. It’s me who needs the open window of heaven over my life.
Good stuff, and I will tell you that June and I have found the following promise to be true in our lives:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9.6 – 11, NIV)