A long absence and a change in content.
After several busy months of blog-neglecting, I have emerged from my hibernation. I have decided to change the direction of this blog a little bit. I will still post some lessons or parts thereof, but I also would like to make this a little more helpful to couples or young people who are not able to attend our church. I have a burden to help young families grow into strong, godly families. I trust that this new direction will be beneficial to all.
This past Sunday, we studied in Exodus 36:1-7 about the children of Israel giving the necessary goods for the tabernacle to be built. Moses presented the need to the people, and they gave so much that Moses had to ask them to stop. The Bible says in Exodus 36:6 that the "people were restrained from bringing." What a statement! They gave TOO much! We talked about giving in class. This particular story had nothing to do with tithing, but I realize that most people that do not tithe, do not give offerings either. I wanted to start with some practical tithing tips:
*1. We must realize that 100% of our money belongs to God.
*2. Deciding to tithe is a one-time decision. If we decide each month if we are going to tithe, there will be many months that we fail to. Christmas shopping is here, you know!
*3. When setting up your budget, do not factor in all your other bills, and then see if you have enough left over to give God his 10%. The tithe comes first.
*4. Since the tithe comes first, we should tithe off our gross income plus any other company-paid benefits. This comes before our mortgage, car payment, or any other bill.
*5. Do not be blinded to the blessings of God. God has promised to bless tithers, but many times we do not notice His blessings.
*6. God can do more with 90% than we can do with 100%.
We then moved on to these observations about the offerings of the children of Israel:
*1. Their giving was out of habit. They gave every morning.
*2. Their giving was influential. They gave wisely to something that was of influence.
*3. They gave to meet a need.
I ask you this question: When there is a need presented to you, is your first reaction to give? Or do you have to talk yourself into it?
This past Sunday, we studied in Exodus 36:1-7 about the children of Israel giving the necessary goods for the tabernacle to be built. Moses presented the need to the people, and they gave so much that Moses had to ask them to stop. The Bible says in Exodus 36:6 that the "people were restrained from bringing." What a statement! They gave TOO much! We talked about giving in class. This particular story had nothing to do with tithing, but I realize that most people that do not tithe, do not give offerings either. I wanted to start with some practical tithing tips:
*1. We must realize that 100% of our money belongs to God.
*2. Deciding to tithe is a one-time decision. If we decide each month if we are going to tithe, there will be many months that we fail to. Christmas shopping is here, you know!
*3. When setting up your budget, do not factor in all your other bills, and then see if you have enough left over to give God his 10%. The tithe comes first.
*4. Since the tithe comes first, we should tithe off our gross income plus any other company-paid benefits. This comes before our mortgage, car payment, or any other bill.
*5. Do not be blinded to the blessings of God. God has promised to bless tithers, but many times we do not notice His blessings.
*6. God can do more with 90% than we can do with 100%.
We then moved on to these observations about the offerings of the children of Israel:
*1. Their giving was out of habit. They gave every morning.
*2. Their giving was influential. They gave wisely to something that was of influence.
*3. They gave to meet a need.
I ask you this question: When there is a need presented to you, is your first reaction to give? Or do you have to talk yourself into it?
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