It won’t be every Sunday but from time to time I would like to post thoughts like this:
For us, money is what we have at the end of the day when we use the skills and talents God has given us in His creation. Money is the “fruit” we are able to offer back to God – and the most significant in our cultural context because money is our standard for all types of exchange. Once we have earned it and offered some back to God, money is a tool we can use to do God’s work (e.g., provide for the homeless and hungry, spread the Gospel) and provide the necessities for our family’s own life: food, clothing, shelter, education and savings for emergencies.
How do we teach our children about money? The first thing parents can do is make sure their children see them putting their envelope in the offering basket every time it is passed around. Children are “copy-cats” and will want to do the same. Toddlers can hold the family’s envelope and place it in the basket. The babas’ (baba means “Grandmother”, not necessarily your own!) custom of slipping each young child around them a quarter to put in the basket is a good one: it allows them to participate in giving, even if the money isn’t actually “their” money.
As children get older, much to the chagrin and subsequent joy of parents, they learn two things: that they can own things (”my” toys, “my” clothes, “my” favorite blanket), and that other people also can own things. As this second realization hits, you’re able to teach children about respecting others’ property and why we “take care of things”, and you can teach them how to share.
Children at this phase should be told, in simple terms, that God “owns” everything (since He made it) and that everything we have is a “gift” from God. He shares with us, and we should be ready to share, too.
Encourage children to share any gifts of money they get for birthdays, Christmas and such- to “thank God” for the gift they received by giving some of it back to Him at Church. (If God gave us a delicious cake with frosting and sprinkles, we’d want to cut it and give Him a piece, right?)
A child will eventually begin to earn money on his own, whether in the form of an allowance given for chores done in the home, or earnings from a paper route, babysitting, or a lawn-cutting business.
This is the next step: Explain that people are able to work and earn money because God has made them healthy, and given them the talents, skills and raw materials they use in their work. They are now earning their own money, too.
They are “in charge” of their money, and will decide how it is spent, but they need to remember to give some back to God every week, just like Momand Dad.This is why it’s so important for parents to set the example of regular giving right from the beginning!
Most parents sit down with their children when they first start earning their own money and teach them how to “divide” it for savings (e.g., for college or a car) and spending (mad money). It’s very easy to include “God” and “the Church” as one of the regular divisions.
Parents should not force children to give part of their earnings. Children should make their offering on their own, however small or large. Once they start making an offering, they should be encouraged to “keep at it,” and give consistently.
In the Old Testament, the animals selected to be taken to the Temple for sacrifice to God were always the very best from the herd, or the “cream of the crop”. Anything less was not a fitting offering to God.
With money, you can start the idea in simple terms: young children can select the “shiniest” coins to go into the offering basket; older kids can take the bills or coins from the top of the stacks after they’re done counting. Later, you can explain and reinforce the idea of the first portion, and that to know what is the best (fitting for tribute to God), you have to look at everything and separate out the part that will be offered to God before you do anything else. Giving to God comes first – before the part devoted to a new bike or computer game – because without Him we would have nothing at all!
In addition to being given consistently and “from the top”, our offerings should be a significant part of our earnings – a set percentage that is maintained as earnings rise and fall. The Old Testament guideline for giving was the “tithe”, or 10% of total income (see Genesis 28:22). This is still the goal.
The actual amount given by young people is not important, but if they decide to give 10% of what they earn from a paper route and follow through, they are more likely to tithe when they are through college and have established a home and family of their own.
Finally, it is important that children are taught that worldly wealth is not a sign of God’s blessings: the richest are not the most favored, just as the poor are not the least – scorned. We are cautioned against “laying up treasures on earth” and told in the Gospels to concentrate on spiritual treasure – coming to know God – instead (see Matthew 6:19-20), and to use what we are allowed to have wisely.
P.S. To my fellow Catholics who fainted when I said give 10%, it’s time we all get pass the one dollar donation!!!
As a former Catholic I think I can shed some light on why Catholics don’t tithe.
1.) They are not taught the Bible (it is read to them, but not taught) – and few are encouraged to read/study on their own.
2.) The Catholic church operates (IMHO, primarily) via fear.
a) You won’t go to Heaven if you aren’t Catholic and don’t attend mass
b) You’ll spend longer in purgatory if you don’t tithe (rationalized as – Ok, longer, but I still get to Heaven if I don’t give)
which leads to :
c) I can give in my will (when it’s no good to me anyway) and I can buy my way out of purgatory. (This works well to continue the funding of the church – [which is the churches goal - IMHO] – but hazardous to the soul, however)
Fear will not result in tithing. Being taught what Jesus did for you, that you could not do yourself – not even in the slightest, and that – oh, by the way, it all belongs to Him and you are just giving back what is His in the first place. Couple that with true love and appreciation for your Savior – that will result in not only tithing, but gifts above and beyond 10%.
Those who truly are saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ (a small percentage unfortunately – Matthew 7:13-14) and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them have no problem being generous; not just to funding the operation of a building – the value of which can be debated, but in sacrificial giving to those truly in need and to fund the preaching of the Gospel in areas where the enemy prevails (I wasn’t referring to Hollywood, but I guess that fits too).
Children learn best by the example of the parents, I wholeheartedly agree. I do believe in requiring the child to give 10% however. But before that is done, be sure to properly instruct them from the Bible (from a young age) so they have no doubt that it is the right thing to do.
I recommend the teaching of Charles Stanley, as does Peter, on this topic, but also encourage you to look into Pat Robertson’s instruction regarding anticipatory tithing (but listen to the entire teaching, not just a piece).
Those Catholics who fainted have, in my opinion, likely a much bigger spiritual problem than tithing.
Best Regards
Roger.
The subject of tithing has in my mind always be misunderstood, especially when you consider the industry of religion is perhaps the oldest and most succesful business in the world. Going back to the teachings of Jesus, the Pharisees, who were wealthier than most sects of Judiasm at the time of Christ were often admonished for their goal of simply looking important and making their acts public. This is no different that today`s mega churches be they RC, United, Assemblies of God, baptist etc..
If you read through the scriptures, tithing was once a 10% of the increase of a believer. This was after living expenses. Obviously more giving is better but the industrial churches of today worked with income which going back in time was not as much the case. In other words they seized upon capitalism as a way to further their cause. Indeed religous figures today are celebrities who live extreme lifestyles of opulence. A great excpetion of course was Mother Teresa who embodied the Chrsitian ideal. I know little about other faiths, but my guess is she would embody the best of evry faith known to man.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
Personally I`d much rather give to the needy whether or not the mighty tax deduction is available (and although you should not forsake the assembly of believers) churches our way too often shrines of human pride.
I`m so sorry to spoil any perceptions regarding the value of God in your life, that is not my intention, but sadly the cheering section found on CNBC regarding the economy is simply a copy of what was learned by simply studying so many denominations and the most precious gift of eternal life. The religiosity used to hype God with tent revival days like Amy Mcpherson is well illustrated in the wonderful film Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons).
Cynicism is often a characteristic found in Christ … we would all do well to read and meditate on his words. One way or another, we all have sinned and fall short (well short) of the glory of God, and it is by our faith we our justified. That faith can only be in God not man, not in a denomination and not in the teachings of man, but in a personal relationship that cause you to have peace in your heart regardless of those that criticize your beliefs and your relationship with him.
Peter, please feel free to ask me to limit my conversation to the market etc. I have no desire to be a disruptive force against good and righteousness. The welfare of humanity is my concern.
Orgy
Goggle “advent conspiracy” and watch the video. I think it says it all.
Jesus saves.
Perhaps we and our governments should start doing the same thing.
Rather than engage in any discussion of who is right or wrong and judge any particular Christian institution regarding how they do things it would be most advantageous to examine our own selves, rethink (repent) and be sorrowful for what we have done wrong. The coming season of advent is a time which presents our need to make the paths straight and hills and valleys flat in a very urgent way. Time is short. Peter, your own confession last week was a very rare and great thing. Your discussion of raising children with an awareness that everything belongs to God is beautiful and excellent source for reflection. As a former protestant and now Catholic, now more than ever, I feel that we cannot afford judgement between Christians. In the peace of Christ, Patrick
I don’t think ANY of the “religions” discussed were God’s idea but are of man’s doing. That isn’t to say God out of His grace and mercy won’t show up. He will usually show up wherever people want to connect with Him.
The new testament church model were relational home based churches and still are. These traditional institutions referred to are ‘pyramid models’ started in 325ad with pastors and priests at the top whose visions are not necessarily those of the people. Jesus’ church is inverse to every institutional church…. and that ought to get you thinking if you are in relationship with Jesus. Jesus said leaders are to serve not to be served. The model we now have for the last 1700 or so years is a “leaders are served” model or pyramid with the people at the bottom subservient to the leaders vision not their own God given vision. That is not the biblical way – period. Jesus way is the opposite where the leaders empower and support and make disciples of new believers and encourage them to step into their God given roles within the church of believers not conform to get molded to a pastor/priests vision of what they envision. In traditional church at some point believers must come into conflict with the inward leaning walls of the pyramid which point to the leaders vision and as such believers must make a choice…… follow their God given vision or submit to the priest./pastors vision which may be a totally different vision – that’s why the pyramid doesn’t work. The wave of the future is the past biblical model of home based relationally based Christianity.
Tithing is OT law. That isn’t to say that we are not to give. Believers are to be Holy Spirit led in their giving and that may cause them to give it ALL if need be at times. We are to be joyful in our giving. If we aren’t joyful then don’t and re-evaluate where you are and why. Giving is such a hot topic for many people especially because there have been so much fraud in the so called church as well as from TV preachers who preach an erroneous message of “giving to get”.
Formerly a Catholic, then evangelical protestant, then pentecostal, now just a plain envelope ‘Christian’.
Giving back is a part of life, it should be taught to our children and I agree with Peter’s comments. My parents taught me that 10% is a good guideline for giving, it is OT though and the NT teaches us to give with our hearts and not a set %. This could mean giving more too! I try to give around 10% after taxes because it is the money that I see, that I can spend. I spread it out on various causes but I also give a large portion to my own church. If church is part of your life you should give money for it to operate. Finances of churches should be open to your full scrutany (they are in my church). It does take money to run a church, facilities need to be paid for, pastors and other support people paid and various denominational causes/programs paid as well, it is just the way it works. Churches are not for profit, why do people think this?
Tim, this is a subject I generally try to avoid in that I really hold no malice towards the church. I do not any of the mainline are for profit organizations, but I do question building fancy buildings with elabrate fixtures when the assembly of people is most important and we have not stamped out world hunger, but to each there own, I do not wish to stand in judgement of others since I it would be easy to judge me guilty of atrocities. Thanks goodness for the grace of God.
I have taken theology courses at the university level, and I’m not trying to discourage cheerful giving, nonetheless I have seen many people turned off by the churches plea for money …. we all know that most ministers are sincere in their faith and works,but some televangelists combined with some very loose interpretations of the meaning and adminstration of tithing does more damage to people who a right to be cynical or organized religion.
I believe Paul wrote that not one word from the OT is made void as a result of Christ’s coming which was the fulfillment of the law not necessarily the end of it. Indeed not sure there are many who would argue the 10 commandments are invalid as a result and neither is tithing necessarily. A close study of what is acceptable to God shows a wide divergence from what I have witnessed as being acceptable to many ministers and denominations.
There are numerous attempts to justify various biblical interpretations such as the water turned to wine was not alcohol, but rather the finest and sweetest grape juice. Even attempts to use languages as amedium to describe it having a different meaning.
It is these interpretations which I personally have difficulty and find them to be a stumbling block for many thinking people in accepting religous affiliations to be self serving.
The politics of the church sadly at times interferes with the intended message and there are numerous instances when Jesus demonstrates his displeasure with the uses of the temple and that has gottem nuch worse over numerous centuries.
I do not wish to alter anyones opinions and beliefs, but this board is viewed by many people some of which may find certain man made portions of various faiths to be stumbling blocks and we all need to be cognizant that the expression of ones faith is a double edged sword which may come under the microscope to the cynical.
I willingly acknowledge my lack of perfection and know I am not worthy of the love of God, I repeatedly fail and I take no pride in that reality. Thank God for his grace.
Orgy