Following up our text to everyone I would like to share some scripture about how we as Christians are to view our obligation to tithe and to donate to the things we are committed to.
“Now in regard to the collection being made for God’s people: you are to do the same as I directed the congregations in Galatia to do. Every week on the first day of the week, let each of you set some money aside, according to their ability, so that when I come I won’t have to do fundraising.”
Paul is reminding the congregation of what Jesus himself said regarding our giving. He was in the process of chastising the Pharisees, when he said, "you tithe but you have forgotten the greater commands of mercy and grace. You should continue to do the former but also remember the latter." Giving isn't an either or, it is a choice we make to show God our priorities are right.
“ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
In Malachi 3:10 God instructs the people to test Him in the tithe and see if He will not repay more than what we give. It's the only time God challenges us to test Him. We are in a unique situation for a while, one in which at best we will see each other at church at the end of April. But the work and the need goes on all the time. Our partners in missions are hit as well and they continue to need our support. The people coming for laundry can still contact us and get help, but if we don't remain faithful our funds will run out. And, like Paul, we will need to fund raise to support those who count on us.
Just as Paul said, it's according to your ability. I'm sure some of you have been hit by the layoffs, but adjust, don't stop. He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. I cannot think of one person I know who is faithful in their tithing that is not financially stable. Put God to the test and see if He is not up for the task. And we will see you virtually again on Sunday with another word of encouragement from the scripture.
Pastor Brent