We just got news yesterday that GTPJ missions pledge has gone past 3 million ringgit for next year. This is quite a milestone, I don’t think we’ve gone past that figure before, but more so during a period when we are embarking on an ambitious building program and also the dismal forecast of 2009 many people are predicting. One of the reasons why I stay with GTPJ is the commitment to missions every year. Our missions giving continues to increase despite external circumstances.
Which comes to giving. I think personally, this topic is one of the toughest to tackle. We can talk about ministry, and giving time for His glory, but when it comes to the moolahs, many of us are a little balky at it. There are several reasons to this, and most of it are valid concerns. To address it, we first need to know:

1)  What is tithing?

Generally, tithing defined is one tenth of our gross earnings. In fact, that’s what it means. Tithe means tenth, from where the ten percent is derived. And this is further derived from the Old Testament, I suppose as early as Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek, and consequently the children of Israel tithing. Everytime new Christians or potential believers talk about Christianity, they come to the conclusion you need to give 10%, nothing more, nothing less. That’s religious tax.

The understanding of tithing needs to go further up than just saying “OK, that’s my duty. I have to do it.” I don’t believe we have to do it or else we are not Christians, because that’s legalism, and Christianity is a gospel of grace. The foundation of Christianity is compassion and thankfulness and this makes us more consistent givers than any rules and laws can every do. 2 Cor 2:6 onwards talk about the principles of giving:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.” 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

It’s clear that the motivation for us to give our tithes and offering is not to fulfill a law or duty but as a natural reaction of thankfulness to God. If we give in this spirit, we oftentimes end up giving more than whatever percentages we feel we are tied down to.

We often miss the point in our giving. Sometimes we think by giving more, we cover up our sins. We think by giving more, we have more rights for how the church should be, what music to play etc. And on the other spectrum, some members who don’t agree with somethings the pastor say, simply state, “I won’t give anything.”

Or some might say, sorry, the Bible doesn’t explicityly tell us to give a tenth of our gross salary, so forget it. It’s strange that we’re always conservative about what the Bible doesn’t say, but on the other hand, the Bible stated that all believers brought their belongings to the church and gave them (Acts 4:34), yet we don’t see the same people using that verse as an example and giving everything to the Lord. It’s true, that those without the spirit cannot discern the spiritual things and everything to him is foolishness (2 Cor 2:14). At the end, if the Spirit isn’t in a person, the very foundation of Christianity (including tithing) is foolishness to him.

Should we tithe? Yes. Will God curse you if you don’t tithe? I don’t know about that. I’ve given lump sum offerings before and all it got me so far was a clearer conscience and a good night sleep. It doesn’t mean that we’re going to get back 10 fold our ‘investment’. That’s why it’s called giving. So what if nothing comes back to me? If it goes out to people in need or bless our pastors in remote outreaches, that’s a better way for that money to go than for a couple of silly golf games or something. The spirit in which we give is much more important. That being said, to say, “I don’t want to give because I feel like a hypocrite giving and because my spirit is not right.”, means that we probably need a long examination of our beliefs and salvation, because that’s seems to be a bigger issue.

Ultimately, God is not mocked, so our feeble justifications are just that: excuses. We are called to be good stewards, and that means taking care of what doesn’t belong to us. Once we realise that and release our tight fisted hands, there’s a promise that we will be blessed in abundance. Whether that’s material blessing or spiritual or whatever…does it really matter?

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6:38

2) Where does our tithes go?

This is a great question. You know we have the white slips of paper at church where you’re supposed to mark which fund it goes to? Well, here’s what I understand:

1) Just put money into the bag - This is what I habitually do. Although sometimes for neatness sake, I put into the envelop but don’t mark it. This generally goes under offering fund.

2) Tithe - Some confusion is over what is tithe, what is offering. Well, they actually go into the same general fund. The general fund is for the running of the church and administration. Which is great. Because you can’t expect our pastors to eat peas and potatoes every day, right? I love our pastoral staff and their work for the Lord! Now if tithes and offerings goes into the same general fund, why have both? Great question. It’s a different desgination for one. Offering is over and on top of what you have tithe, so some people prefer to have separate designations for it. Personally, like I mentioned, I just put it into an empty envelop and be done with it.

3) Offering - As described above!

4) Agape Fund - This is for special funds for the church to help people, like those in need, or require emergency financial assitance. The approval goes through the board for each case.

5) Missions - This goes to missions funding 100%. Allocation to each country/ministry is reported in our AGM report.

6) Building - This is for building fund, and as above, allocation is also reported.