If you have followed this series on David Bach's book, you have noticed that now, just about everything is "taken care of" financially. All debt payments, the mortgage, retirement--it's all being automatically drawn either directly from the paycheck or from the checking account.
However, in this last chapter, Bach addresses one more aspect of life that is a financial decision: giving back.
When I first saw the title for this chapter, I was a bit upset. It is "Make a Difference with Automatic Tithing." While this is another discussion, I don't believe in tithing. I believe in giving. I believe we are under New Testament obligation to give, but that we are not told to give a specific amount. Also, I had trouble with the idea of making my giving "automatic." Bach goes so far as to say that your tithe should be automatically deducted from your paycheck, just like the mortgage.
While I still don't agree with all the aspects of this chapter, after some consideration, I turned around a little. Why? Because Bach is writing a book "for the masses," and he still makes giving a priority.
Admittedly, he speaks of giving to a charitable organization or church (and he leans towards charities), but, still, Bach helps us understand that giving is an essential part of any financial plan. He ends the chapter by reminding the reader that some of the wealthiest people of all time gave, and did so before they could really afford to give!
My recommendation is to give, but don't "automate" the process. Take each week and think of how the Lord has prospered you. Give accordingly.
While I don't agree with the entire chapter, there is still quite a lot of worthy information if you are interested in giving money to a specific charity. Bach takes a brisk look at different ways to accomplish this worthwhile goal.
Showing posts with label tithing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tithing. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Debt: Sacrificially Speaking...
It is a simple fact that every single person (or family) lives off of a specific percentage of his or her (or their) total income. Some are able to live comfortably off 60-80% of their income, while many spend every dime--100%--just in time to get their next paycheck. Unfortunately, many Americans have begun living off more than 100% of their income. The ease of obtaining credit and the pressure to "have it now" have suckered us into buying what we want, even if we can't afford it...we can just swipe it and pay for it later (and for even more money because of outrageous interest).
Debt should be on the mind of Christians for many reasons. Notice just one as we think about living off of a certain percentage:
As Christians, we are expected to give regularly (1 Cor. 16:2) and proportionally (2 Cor. 8:3). Additionally, we should be willing to serve the Lord with our financial blessings (e.g., helping the needy, giving to reputable charities, etc.) (Mt. 25:31-46).
We must ask ourselves a tough question when we consider these financial responsibilities in light of debt (especially irresponsible debt like unpaid-off credit cards, payday loans, etc.): "Am I able to give sacrificially to the Lord if I'm living off more than 100% of my income?"
I don't think it's possible. Notice a little hypothetical math: If I make 10,000 dollars annually, and give $1,000 of it to the church (roughly $20 weekly), I technically give 10% of my income. If, over the course of the year, I put $1,000 on a high-interest credit card without paying it all off, I've just raised the ceiling of my living expenses without raising the level of income. Therefore, I've not really made any sacrifices in order to give that $20 a week to the local church. Theoretically, I could give $5,000 a year--and it would seem as though I was giving an amazing 50%--and turn to a credit card instead of adjusting my spending habits. I get almost anything I want and still give to the church. But that's not the point.
God knows we could use the percentage we give for additional things at our disposal, yet he wants us to trust him (and our elders) to use it in much better ways than we would personally. What if we read that the widow gave all she had--those two mites--but then went and borrowed two more from a Pharisee so that she could buy some more clothes or living amenities? It wouldn't be giving all she had if she kept going back for more beyond her affluence.
May we always consider our financial decisions in light of our relationship to the Lord.
"Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts." Proverbs 22:26
Debt should be on the mind of Christians for many reasons. Notice just one as we think about living off of a certain percentage:
As Christians, we are expected to give regularly (1 Cor. 16:2) and proportionally (2 Cor. 8:3). Additionally, we should be willing to serve the Lord with our financial blessings (e.g., helping the needy, giving to reputable charities, etc.) (Mt. 25:31-46).
We must ask ourselves a tough question when we consider these financial responsibilities in light of debt (especially irresponsible debt like unpaid-off credit cards, payday loans, etc.): "Am I able to give sacrificially to the Lord if I'm living off more than 100% of my income?"
I don't think it's possible. Notice a little hypothetical math: If I make 10,000 dollars annually, and give $1,000 of it to the church (roughly $20 weekly), I technically give 10% of my income. If, over the course of the year, I put $1,000 on a high-interest credit card without paying it all off, I've just raised the ceiling of my living expenses without raising the level of income. Therefore, I've not really made any sacrifices in order to give that $20 a week to the local church. Theoretically, I could give $5,000 a year--and it would seem as though I was giving an amazing 50%--and turn to a credit card instead of adjusting my spending habits. I get almost anything I want and still give to the church. But that's not the point.
God knows we could use the percentage we give for additional things at our disposal, yet he wants us to trust him (and our elders) to use it in much better ways than we would personally. What if we read that the widow gave all she had--those two mites--but then went and borrowed two more from a Pharisee so that she could buy some more clothes or living amenities? It wouldn't be giving all she had if she kept going back for more beyond her affluence.
May we always consider our financial decisions in light of our relationship to the Lord.
"Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts." Proverbs 22:26
Monday, October 1, 2007
Giving Our Way to Prosperity (Lesson Thirteen)
This final lesson deals with giving throughout the Bible. As its purpose the chapter has, "to impress upon our minds that God through the ages has taught man to give of his means" (75). There is no way, in a brief review post, that every aspect of this chapter could be discussed. This final chapter deals with one subject, but goes deeply into that subject, making the student understand that giving is not some thing God "made up" to torment Christians.
Giving is good for us. Giving to God is even better. By sacrificing, we put our trust in God and we show our appreciation to Him. This chapter simply deals with how that has been done over the centuries.
Section one deals with 3 tithes that Old Testament Jews were required to make. The first is called The Priestly Tithe by Brother Black because the purpose was to aid the priests in their work (75-76). The other two tithes are not given specific names, but are listed to impress upon us that Jews were required to give a significant amount of their wealth often (76-77).
With that reminder in place, brother Black turns the student's attention to the New Testament law. What are we to give? As we have noted, there is no "set" amount listed in the New Testament, but Christians are still commanded to give. We are to be good stewards of our blessings and we are to give liberally to the cause of the Lord. How do we do that? Section two deals with the mental side of giving. It takes a mental recognition of the need for stewardship (77-78).
Finally, to close the book (79), Black helps us see the fallacy in giving only what is left over. David, in Second Samuel 24:24 understood that he needed to sacrifice in order to please God, not just give Him "something." David said that he would not give to God something that did not cost him anything. I need that same attitude! I need to learn the meaning of sacrifice, and I need to trust God to protect me.
After having read through this book again, and having written these posts, it is cemented in my mind that Christians (me included!) need more teaching on money, stewardship and sacrificial giving. This book may be somewhat hard to find, but it will be worth finding. Adult classes (and even youth classes) would benefit greatly from a study of this book. It is not long (just 80 pages), but it covers so much. If you are looking for material for a Bible class, find this book and teach it. Then, live it!
Giving is good for us. Giving to God is even better. By sacrificing, we put our trust in God and we show our appreciation to Him. This chapter simply deals with how that has been done over the centuries.
Section one deals with 3 tithes that Old Testament Jews were required to make. The first is called The Priestly Tithe by Brother Black because the purpose was to aid the priests in their work (75-76). The other two tithes are not given specific names, but are listed to impress upon us that Jews were required to give a significant amount of their wealth often (76-77).
With that reminder in place, brother Black turns the student's attention to the New Testament law. What are we to give? As we have noted, there is no "set" amount listed in the New Testament, but Christians are still commanded to give. We are to be good stewards of our blessings and we are to give liberally to the cause of the Lord. How do we do that? Section two deals with the mental side of giving. It takes a mental recognition of the need for stewardship (77-78).
Finally, to close the book (79), Black helps us see the fallacy in giving only what is left over. David, in Second Samuel 24:24 understood that he needed to sacrifice in order to please God, not just give Him "something." David said that he would not give to God something that did not cost him anything. I need that same attitude! I need to learn the meaning of sacrifice, and I need to trust God to protect me.
After having read through this book again, and having written these posts, it is cemented in my mind that Christians (me included!) need more teaching on money, stewardship and sacrificial giving. This book may be somewhat hard to find, but it will be worth finding. Adult classes (and even youth classes) would benefit greatly from a study of this book. It is not long (just 80 pages), but it covers so much. If you are looking for material for a Bible class, find this book and teach it. Then, live it!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
"Giving Our Way to Prosperity" (Lesson 2)
Lesson two of V.P. Black's book is entitled "Some Facts about Money," and has as its purpose, "To help us have the attitude toward material possessions" (9).
Before we begin thinking about giving, we need to have a Biblical attitude toward money in general, so brother Black introduces us to several facts from the Bible that deal with money. (As I said in the last post, these reviews will not be long, but will be more like outlines of the lessons. You should want to find this book and study the lessons on your own.)
Here are the sections from lesson two:
Before we begin thinking about giving, we need to have a Biblical attitude toward money in general, so brother Black introduces us to several facts from the Bible that deal with money. (As I said in the last post, these reviews will not be long, but will be more like outlines of the lessons. You should want to find this book and study the lessons on your own.)
Here are the sections from lesson two:
1. We "must be honest in making money" (9-10).
2. We "must have the right attitude toward money" (10-11). This section, while brief is worth our personal study time. As we have pointed out, and will continue to do, on this blog, our attitude determines how we use God's blessings, including finances.
3. "Why do I give my money?" (11) When it all comes down to it, this is the basis for the book. Very briefly, brother Black gives several "motives" for giving to the Lord:
- The motive of duty
- The motive of self-respect
- The motive of love (obviously should be the one for which we strive)
4. "How do I give my money?" (12-13) This section contains a very brief word about tithing, but more will be said later in the book about it.
5. "How should a Christian spend his money?" (13) This section introduces another very important concept to the book: stewardship. We are to be good stewards of the money God has given us. There is more about this later in the book, as well.
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