Friday, February 11, 2005
How Obedient Do I Have to Be?
It is the same ol' struggle - I give but do I give enough? Since I'm asking the question I often think the answer is no I don't give enough. I have a car which I do not drive, I am paid money and have been blessed financially LOTS, and I am not married (to my dismay) so I have a higher disposable income.
Then there is the practical thing - I can't back pay for past tithes due to grace (grace is an ugly thing that way), I'm only responsible for the decisions and requests God makes of me NOW, and my stewardship like my relationship with God is a gradual thing with sections of backsliding and starting over. I can't give enough to get me out of sin - Jesus did that on the cross, yet I can give because Jesus died on the cross and because I see a need and God wants me to be obedient to His word, commandments and the Holy Spirit proddings.
So we come full circle - while listening to God and doing what I should, do I give enough? I've heard the time argument (time=money) and I think it is crap and a cop out. I'm covered by grace, yet still feel burdened to give which to me is a good thing when I remember and do. So I guess I'll never give enough, yet when I give generously (more than I naturally would want to give) I'll be honouring the kingdom of God and improving my relationship and understanding of Christ. Its hard and I hope for better understanding of this....
Then there is the practical thing - I can't back pay for past tithes due to grace (grace is an ugly thing that way), I'm only responsible for the decisions and requests God makes of me NOW, and my stewardship like my relationship with God is a gradual thing with sections of backsliding and starting over. I can't give enough to get me out of sin - Jesus did that on the cross, yet I can give because Jesus died on the cross and because I see a need and God wants me to be obedient to His word, commandments and the Holy Spirit proddings.
So we come full circle - while listening to God and doing what I should, do I give enough? I've heard the time argument (time=money) and I think it is crap and a cop out. I'm covered by grace, yet still feel burdened to give which to me is a good thing when I remember and do. So I guess I'll never give enough, yet when I give generously (more than I naturally would want to give) I'll be honouring the kingdom of God and improving my relationship and understanding of Christ. Its hard and I hope for better understanding of this....
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Don't forget that you've given your entire life to God, and that's the best kind of stewardship. You're offering your time, your heart, mind, relationships (present and future), dreams, future, as well as your money to Him in the form of this education you're getting. So take encouragement in that knowledge-and even when it's hard to give in other ways, or if you feel you haven't done enough in those other ways...your life is really what God wants, and you're giving it.
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