Recession fears are widespread in our nation right now. As a result, many of us are thinking about our financial future. As things would be, my social media algorithm sent related several videos my way today. They included tips on how to take care of your money during hard economic times.
Most of the advice was pretty straightforward: Don't eat out as much. Cancel some of your subscriptions. Start a side hustle or get a second job. Stop giving to charities for a time.
When it comes to saving money, "Consider yourself the charity right now" is a big idea that gets shared. Several people even suggest you stop tithing to your church. Of course, that caught my attention the most. I had to check my heart, as they say, as I pondered more on that one. There are several reasons I thought that may have rubbed me the wrong way.
One, I teach people to be generous. So, should I tell them to stop? Two, frankly, people's giving impacts my livelihood. We don't pay pastors with fried chicken like we used to. And then there's the notion of church as charity that bothers me. But there's still another reason. I have a strong, personal conviction about tithing.
My wife and I have tithed, given ten percent of our income, every month for as long as we've been married. That was a choice we made as newlyweds. A choice we stuck with even in our leanest times. Well, even when things weren't bad for us at all. Sometimes, when that giving amount keeps growing, that's when it's hardest to keep at it.
But we've always been sure God was taking care of us. God provides. God always provides. That was the basis of our decision almost 30 years ago and what helps us maintain our commitment today.
I share that with you because the algorithm seemed to align with today's reading from Genesis. Of course, I'm not telling you what decisions to make with your money. We all should decide in our heart what to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). Even pastors wrestle with these kinds of decisions (they should, anyway). I have and have found God to be faithful.
What I am encouraging you to do is challenge the idea that you're the charity. You're not. God is the provider.
Stay blessed...john | 
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