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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