16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
1 Corinthians 16: 1-4
One of the favorite grumps about coming to church is that pastors are always asking for money. Paul has finished his teachings in the first letter to the Corinthian believers and chapter 16 finishes with a few practicalities. Paul is anticipating a visit with the Corinthians and believers around the Middle East at that point were a minority, persecuted and often facing all the practical problems people in duress experience today. Paul suggests that when we meet at the beginning of the week, we set aside a portion of our money to help those less fortunate. He does not mention this as some sort of legal need to keep God happy. So where does it come from?
Leviticus 27:30 first mentions “tithing,” “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” By the letter to the Hebrews, tithing was beginning to be understood as an offering of 10% so many Christians use 10% as a rule of thumb to gage their “offering” to church. This money helped cover the needs of the priestly clan, the Levites, who were not given land but were to care for the Temple.
It seems to me that whether we call it tithing, offering, love gift or coin offering, the principle is to remind us to have an attitude of gratitude. It helps us remember that all comes from God and there are many others who have needs greater than ourselves. Many prefer to give to charitable organizations or respond to social needs that are close to their hearts. However we share our wealth,
I’m guessing it will always feel like our personal “needs” are greater than our personal “haves”. The challenge to see our “haves” as a “blessing” to be shared and not as a “right” to be hoarded will always be a tension we must navigate.
Lord, we know many live in dire situations and our little bit feels like a drop in the bucket of human need. Help us to be generous and to share as your Spirit directs us. May we not be guilty of self centeredness and selfishness. Thank you for the many ways you bless us and may we remember our many non-monetary blessings!
On the Way to Wonder 