Tithes

"Tithes can be the training wheels to launch us into the mind-set, skills, and habits of grace giving"

- The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn

This is certainly true of me. I struggled with tithing until the Lord asked me to give 12% and to commit to giving it first instead of waiting to see what was leftover. I thought He was crazy, but I was already broke, so what's the worse that could happen? The best things did. I learned to trust Him. A year later, He asked me to give 15%. I did so without a second thought. My tithe is now 10% , but my total giving is actually somewhere between 15% - 20%. Not only is it impossible to outgive Him, but it's all His money anyway and there is no other place that I'd rather invest it.  Laurie says that I should be more amazed at my simple life. I suppose, but I was given the gift of generousity long before I ever made any real money. I'm not sure I'd even know how to spend it all on myself. Now, that's a blessing! Some people think that Christians don't have to tithe. Even if that's true, I tithe because I want to. That 12% certainly did develop the habit and desire of grace giving.