My wife and I have been tithing for about five years now. I'm not bragging or complaining, I'm just making the statement. There have been times when tithing was a hard choice, when we really could have used the money that we had set aside for the Lord's use for groceries or bills instead. I'm glad we didn't. Every time we've made that choice, the money has come back to us somehow. I never thought that I could afford to give around ten percent (Not exactly ten percent because I don't want to be legalistic) to anybody, let alone the Lord, but now I couldn't imagine not doing it.
However, I don't like thinking about the money (not just mine, but everybody's) just keeping the church mortgage, utilities, and grounds kept up. I know, there are more things paid out than just the few that I've mentioned, and some charity too, but I think you get the gist. We, and not just our church, but a lot of churches across the United States don't have to many people attending, and therefore are struggling just to keep the bills paid. There used to be a time when churches were always full and when they were able to serve the community like they're supposed to. I know that some churches are still able to, but a lot are chained down (just like the members) to big mortgages and other things that hinder the work of our Lord. So, what can be done to rectify the situation that the church has gotten herself into? How can we (not just my church, but the church) get ourselves out of this predicament?
Revelation 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from it's place- unless you repent."
What is the church's first love? Jesus! What does He say we need to do? Repent, and do the first works, which are to spread the gospel and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to take care of the sick, the poor, the orphans, and the widows! He doesn't say to build big churches that get in the way of this. He doesn't say to have great big dinners where more food gets thrown away than eaten. He simply says to follow Him. I think that if we can do this, a great healing will take place in the church.
Good post, Brian.
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