BESIDE
Ezra 1:3,4 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
As people arrive at today’s house of God it’s almost comical to see men and women checking pocket, wallet, and purse for a checkbook or cash. Most hilarious is the man who whispers urgently in his wife’s ear as she fumbles with her purse to produce the tithe check. How about the person down the pew who frantically writes a check? Or, the people who rummage through every pocket just as the offering is announced? Though these images and others beside appear humorous, the subject of the exercise is a most serious matter.
There are those who anticipate the offering plate each Sunday and out of habit, shame, or an attempt to save face will throw in a few dollars. These lackadaisical Christians have little regard for God’s hand in their lives, either financially, bodily, or spiritually. Most egregious is the hokey TV “evangelist” that pushes donation blessings, or makes promises on God’s behalf to recompense much for only a one time and minor donation. Such scams will lead to skeptical Christians or outright vengeful thinking toward the local church offering.
Then, we have those who give urgently and greedily. At every opportunity they strip their families of funds to feed the offering plate. Unfortunately they’ve been duped by a prosperity gospel which claims the more you give the more you receive. Though this can be true, the recompense and blessing may not be in kind. Giving money may not result in getting money. To give money for monetary gain is contrary to biblical doctrine. Giving with the desire to gain is simply greed, selfishness, and dishonorable. God will not accept or honor tainted offerings. The greedy person’s hands will leave a blemish on the offering and God will have no respect for the offering, (Gen. 4:5). Wouldn’t it be something to give and get? Want a new car? Give ten thousand dollars to the church and anticipate that new ZR1, Corvette. Of course, God will not deliver on such madness. Yet, many TV “preachers” will promote this doctrine.
The love of money! Why is this “love” or greed so effective in preventing, interfering, and hindering God’s work? I could extend the argument that our carnal nature makes us miserly with all that God has given us. It is our natural tendency to want more of anything and everything. We complain about time and use up all we can for ourselves. Some hold love, affection, and joy to themselves and leave only hate, bitterness, and sorrow for everyone else.
Why can’t we grasp that everything about, around, and of us is God’s blessing and provision? If all we have is received of God then why do we find it hard to give even a little back in thanksgiving and joy? And, perchance, give more besides? It should be counted a blessing in itself to give back that which is received. Besides, doesn’t God supply abundantly?
There are those who say they can’t afford to give a tithe or offering of any kind. Perhaps we should learn to be better stewards of God’s bounty before we offer excuses. Jesus praised the meager offering of the widow over that of others not only for her sacrifice and suffering but for the stewardship the offering implied. Do we spend more of God’s bounty on vice, self gratification, and the waste basket, than to godly endeavors and God’s house? And we sometimes wonder why God doesn’t grant us more. Even at the core of this wondering is a measure of greed.
There is an element within our ranks that believe tithing is unbiblical, that a tenth is the wrong amount, maybe it should be a fifth, and so on. We shouldn’t argue the point. Throughout the scripture we are given the example of a tithe and in many cases argument for more than a tenth of our increase. It is of such importance, it is referred to in the beginning of the Beginning and throughout Genesis many times. There is a lesson to be learned and a truth to be gleaned when God repeats a particular phrase, thought, or concept within scripture. Jesus repeatedly invoked praise for the willing servant; one who gives more than he receives. It seems so simple. It should be one gift we freely, willingly, and without hesitation offer God.
If we tithe what else should we offer beside?
Have you seen any missionaries come through your church lately? Do you think it is only the church’s responsibility to support missions from the tithe we give? All of us can give more to missions than only that which is distributed from our tithes. (We should, however let the flow of funds go through the hands of our church. This allows the church to partner in the blessing. Most churches will gladly forward love offerings or add to a pledge donation without question.) How does the scripture above read? We have those who can, going out to build God’s house, and those who can’t, supplying the means. The king required the Jews in captivity to finance the mission and offered opportunity to tithe, as well. Yet, the king was acting with the authority and will of God. Is only a tenth in tithe enough? Does a tenth make you happy and give you joy?
How much more can God accomplish through the offering of every laymen of every gospel preaching church in this nation? God doesn’t call everyone to be missionaries, preachers, evangelists, and teachers. Why not? Why didn’t all the Jews in captivity answer the king’s call to go to Jerusalem? Where would the funding for God’s work come from? God needs laymen for many and a myriad of reasons. He also, doesn’t need us. He can accomplish His goals without our involvement, but he blesses us with an opportunity to serve Him. The blessing is in service, not in money, time, or effort.
Why are we caught up in holding back a portion of that which we’re given?
Besides, can you take it with you?
God's promises are many, but taking money, time, and labor to heaven isn’t any of them.
God and eternity, what is there beside?
