Encouragement

Tithing What?

by paul hoffmaster
01/10/21
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There are certain beliefs in the Christian Faith that are protected from any challenge.  These beliefs have been so ingrained in the Believer that there is no room for any challenges.  One such “tenet” is tithing.  Pastors defend that term with unparalleled exuberance for they know without that 10% the physical ministry will be hindered.  But instead of looking at financial tithing, let’s consider another type, the tithing of our time.

In a twenty-four hour period, there are at least 8 hours occupied by sleeping leaving 16 hours of active energy.  If we would tithe 10% of that time to spiritual activities, we would have a little over an hour and a half dedicated daily to spiritual matters.  This could take the form of Bible reading/studying, praying, meditating, witnessing, the displaying of Biblical obedience, and other spiritual activities.  Tithing our time sounds good, but at the same time, it falls short as to what Jesus requires of every Believer.  (It is the same thing with financial tithing.  It just doesn’t seem right that God only gets 10% and we get to do whatever we want with the rest of God’s money!)  I wonder what percentage of our 16 hours is wrapped around watching “screens.”   What percentage of our time is used for self-promoting activities?  How about a week?  168 hours minus 56 for sleep equals 112 hours to be used for work, school, and other activities.  That means 11.2 hours reserved for putting actions into our Faith.  What I am getting at is are we limiting ourselves to the bare minimum that qualifies us as a living example of Jesus Christ? 

The Church is facing difficult times.  If Believers are not willing to match the 100% commitment that the followers of Satan have made, then the only thing left is for Jesus to come and take the “wounded bride” out of the battlefield!  He might as well “rapture” the Church.  For what good is “lukewarm” Christians that have no vision or zeal!  We know that works do not guarantee our eternal life, for we are saved by faith and faith alone, but works are the evidence of our faith.  I am seeing the ten-percenters losing even the little scrimmages of life.  They have been deceived into believing that making the minimum commitment is all that is necessary.  (Just like financial tithing, give the 10% and your obligation is fulfilled.  Let the church take care of fulfilling the Believer’s obligation of feeding the poor, etc.)  Christians must move beyond verbal confessions to visible actions.  I believe many Christians are not taking their calling seriously.  Many are content with the 10% rule.  This is not the time to limit our actions to words, but rather show the power of the Kingdom.  This is not a time for token pledges, but a 100% commitment against Satan’s kingdom.  A ten-percent commitment will not stem the tide of evil. 

Let us not be bogged down in the quicksand of observing all that Satan is doing, rather, let us lift up our Lord by confession and action.  Let the ten-percenters add another 90% and press on and be the people God has called them to be.  Amen and Amen!