One of the hardest subjects for me to preach is stewardship. This is not because I don't give of my tithes and offereings but because this is one area which people get very sensitive. I love what a pastor friend calls this issue, "Cirrohsis of the Giver." Whether this is original with him or not does not matter. The weight of the issue is that we have a giving problem in the church today. When only 3-5% of church attenders give a tithe of their income, then we have a problem. Who is to blame for this problem? The leadership of the church for not teaching the proper way to give? Dave Ramsey says, "Don't tell your church to give; teach them how to give!" Is the problem the economy? I have a tough time believing that because we find ways to continue to eat out, go to movies, buy new things, and the list could go on and on. I tweeted a quote which I recently read that said, "If it is important to you then you will find a way; if not you will find an excuse." We like to make excuses for not tithing more than actually tithing. Is it the person's fault? Well in my house, if I don't set my alarm the night before to awaken me the next morning, I can blame my wife and kids, but the truth is I am an adult with responsibilities; therefore, I must "man-up" to my shortcomings.
In Ps. 24:1 David writes, "The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord." How much are we taking from God's treasury by not giving back to God of His tithe and His wealth? Malachai tells us to "Bring the full ten percent into the storehouse...Test me in this way says the Lord of Hosts. See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour our a blessing for you without measure."
Why not give it a shot? God has never been unfaithful! Give Him your tithe and see how He blesses you.
Pastor Ric
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