Giving of Oneself

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."

-Albert Einstein

Growing up as a young christian has led me to discover a lot of rules that were hard to swallow. Killing isn’t one of them. Neither is theft. There are a couple of so called doctrines that I struggle with, not because I know it’s wrong but I love to do it (Like spending too much time on the internet. I know I should cut down a little, but that’s for another post), rather it’s the fact that I disagree with what seems to be the accepted norm amongst the church goers. It makes me wonder, am I being stubborn, am I trying to find a loophole to avoid "punishment" or is this a classic case of the emperor’s new clothes?

One of the most popular accepted practices among christians are tithing and that's what I have issues with. I remember when I was around 14-15 years old, my pre-believing mum came up to me and said she heard church members are required to give a certain percentage of their salary every month. My first reaction was indignation. That’s a slanderous lie! I was so sure that MY church wouldn’t exercise such a blatant form of extortion from their members. Taking a percentage of our pay? EVERY MONTH? We are not a freaking cult man. Who’s actually stupid enough to obey such a tyrannical command? WHO?

So after I assured my mum that I am not brainwashed by my church and that I’ll get to the bottom of this, I went to Jenny, a church worker in my church. I remember the ranting and the raving; I remember me expecting Jenny to confirm what I thought I knew all along and I can report to my mum that her source is not accurate. But alas...

I remember the “Actually....” look on Jenny’s face before she confirms that there is such a thing call tithing and went on to explain the rationale behind the act. Boy, did I feel stupid. So for the next decade or so, that’s what I did. Or at least I try to. I feel good when I do, I feel guilty when I don’t/can’t. It doesn’t help too when I hear sermons on the importance of tithing or testimonies by other Christians on how God provides even when they still tithe when money was tight.

Let me just put it out there that it’s great that there are people who are able to consistently tithe 10% or even more. It’s also awesome that God provides even more than just the bare minimum (NO, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PROSPERITY MESSAGE, YOU WON’T FIND IT HERE, SO THERE!) to survive. But I don’t believe that he won’t bless anyone else less if they tithe less than 10% or none at all. I also don’t believe the blessings that these people receive are a direct result of them giving tithing. I believe it’s the act of faith which can come in any shape, size and form, not just in tithing. Oh, and you know, because God loves us so much.

And you know what? Sometimes, I think that act is a little misguided. There. I said it. I have totally lost my way, the blasphemous heathen.

It all started when I considered one of the most popular explanations why we should tithe. “It’s an act of furthering God’s Kingdom”, they said. Well, if that’s the case, do I have to just give my 10% to the church? After all, aren’t we supposed to be the light of the world, love our neighbours and all that? If I’m supposed to give back to God a little of what I have, why should it be the church? Why not a poor family? Or a non-profit organization? While we’re at it, how about sponsoring someone to go for mission trip or a missionary family?

Not that I don’t trust the church to handle all that cash...err...offerings. But if I want to help further the spread of THE Good News, why can’t I do it in a way that I am comfortable with? Heck, if it’s for a cause I’m passionate about, I might throw in another 5% and maybe volunteer.

If the origin of tithing is to further God's Kingdom or to demonstrate an act of faith, then why don't I do something to further God's Kingdom and can't I demonstrate my faith in some other way? The argument that I'm to have faith that the church know what to do with the monetary offering seems weak if you ask me. Or maybe I just lack faith. *shrug*

Look, I know how all this sound. It's crazy radical and threatens the very foundation of what is a very long, traditional christian practice. But guess what? It's not biblical. It's not. 

Read for yourself. (And check out the "Disinformation" bar)

No way am I instigating that we don't give. Not at all. After all, God loves a cheerful giver. But a giver of what? And to whom and for what purpose? If we are chosen and loved by God and are co-heirs to an eternal kingdom, then surely our actions, thoughts and behaviour must stem from a common source, which is God.

Logically speaking then, we can't help but want to give to our fellow men, whether it's in financial support, providing free tuition or just being a shoulder to cry on. I wouldn't need a preacher to tell me what to give and how much. I would just give.

But don't take my word for it. Please do your research, study the scriptures closely and hear what others have to say about the issue. As for me, I honestly believe that we are suppose to give according to how God has blessed us and our ability to give and the leading of the holy spirit.