On my next birthday , 60 candles will sit atop the cake .
I ’ ve been a Christian for
49 of those years and a regular “ tither ” for
45 .
In that time , I ’ ve heard many theories about how much money we should give to the Lord .
Some say we should give seed money to the Lord — whatever we give , He will shower back on us tenfold . Others say that we should give 10 percent and debate whether that percentage is based on net or gross pay . Others argue that giving should be done exclusively to the Church , and thus , giving to missions is unbiblical . Still others say we should give by faith promise , which means if God provides it , you give it ; if He doesn ’ t , you ’ re under no obligation to give .
I ’ ve sat in uncomfortable church services where the pastor read through the previous year ’ s donations and donors name by name , stopping and asking the congregation with mock concern to “ pray for our brother , who apparently only makes $ 5,000 a year , since his tithe was just $ 500 .”
I suppose I have a somewhat unique perspective on giving . I manage my contributions to my local church , to OMS and to other groups , and as a missionary at the OMS World Headquarters , I also see how God ’ s people are giving to missions . I sometimes see OMS struggling to survive on far less than we would want , yet , I am so grateful for donors who give sacrificially to see “ their special missionary ” spread the Gospel in places they could never dream of going themselves .
I have received major gifts for which I am extremely grateful . I ’ ve also received three dollars and a tear-stained letter from an elderly woman , explaining it was all she could give this month from the retirement home she was in . Both bring tears to my eyes !
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