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Tithing has always been a practice in my life. When I was a child my parents taught me to put 10 percent of my allowance and any birthday or special money in the envelope to be given during Sunday School. I checked the appropriate boxes showing my Bible reading and studied lesson. I put the amount on the outside of the envelope. This was a practice I continued through my teen years. When I started to work and earned a little spending money, I tithed my paycheck even though I was a lost church member. After being saved and called to preach while still a teenager, I continued the practice of tithing. Attending a Baptist school, I got into the usual debates about whether the tithe was a legalistic demand or the beginning steps of obedience. There really wasn’t much struggle for me. Either way, tithing had its place. If it was a legalistic demand, how much more should we give under grace? If it was expected of us to tithe as Christians, then stewardship pushes me to answer for the other 90 percent. Some of the 90 percent should surely be given to the Lord. My final position came down as an old-fashioned “storehouse” tither, who believed in grace giving. June and I have practiced tithing and grace giving all of our married life. We have given more than 10 percent every year. I don’t say this boasting. I am ashamed I haven’t given more than 11, 12 or 13 percent. All the clichés are right: “You can’t out-give God,” “Do you want ‘net’ blessings or ‘gross’ blessings?” (This is about deciding on tithing your net or gross income). Sadly, Southern Baptists have fallen down on their stewardship. Because of money-grabbing preachers, ministry scandals and fear of running the seekers away, many do not preach on tithing and giving. The local church often struggles. Mission giving through the Cooperative Program has declined in real dollars for years. Now is the time for action. Materials and speakers are available from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the SBC to help you and your local church. Teach the doctrine of stewardship again. The theme of the 2006 SBTC annual meeting is “Grace Giving” with the Scripture emphasis of 2 Corinthians 8-9. It is very timely that the SBTC is addressing this vital issue. Each session will highlight various aspects of giving: leadership in giving, discipleship in giving, partnership in giving, and worship through giving. Today I was told the convention hotel is already booked for the annual meeting of SBTC messengers. We are scurrying around to expand our auxiliary hotels to accommodate the increase in demand. Praise the Lord! Southern Baptists in Texas are excited about coming together for fellowship, worship and business. There is still room for you. Make your reservations now. Pray for the power of God to fall upon us as we seek his face for revival and renewal. |
