We were out for lunch yesterday at the Olive Garden (soup and salad special). And as usual when we were all finished the waitress brought us that little black folder with our bill. As I pulled out the money to pay for the bill, my mind almost automatically started figuring out the tip. This time, though, I paused for a moment.
You see, I’m old enough to remember when a phone call was a time and a postage stamp cost 7 cents and a tip was 10%. That’s not the case anymore, is it?
As I was pulling out my money, I told Deanna, “It’s funny isn’t it? No one tips just 10 % any more. It’s 20%... or at the very least 15 (if you’re really cheep). The only one who gets a 10% tip any more is God—and then only grudgingly (if at all).”
6 comments:
How many people actually "tip" God 10%? Actually, i've heard figures on that, and they were quite dismal.
I heard a preacher once say that if everyone who calls themselves a "born again Christian" or refers to themselves as "evangelical" in the united states actually gave 10% of their income to their local church, the American church could solve world poverty.
Someone did a study with estimated costs of supplying clean water, clothes, food, medicine, schools, etc. And the church in the USA could foot the bill in its entirety if we actually put God first with our money.
I think it was John Piper or Perry Noble who said that. Not sure which - its been a while.
It was sobering to hear. You always think the problem is too big.
It isn't.
But we're to selfish (as a people) to put down another ten bucks for good table service, let alone 10% of our income. No, it might eat into our dining out fund ;-)
Here are just two quick survey facts I pulled out of our Denominations Magazine:
1. Christians in the USA give 2.5 cents out of every dollar to others—that includes the church as well as every other charity out there. If that’s the case, the amount that’s given to the local church is far less.
2. (and here’s the really condemning point) Christians in the USA have adopted a lifestyle that is 110-125% above their current income. Where’s there room for giving to moving God’s kingdom forward when we’re more concerned with our own comfort and opulence? I think the Bible calls that idolatry.
We’ve got something really screwed up! And, sadly, I’m no less guilty. I’m not pointing any fingers. I need to fix the problem at home. But I do want to fix it. I have to fix it. I must fix it.
I think there are many reason for this problem, but one of the biggest is that we have a twisted view of God and God’s kingdom. It is a very dualistic and even Gnostic view. It is poisoning the evangelical churches here in the USA. Harsh, I know, but none the less true.
Sorry for going on…
great post and discussion.
this will take more unpacking than i'm willing to do here and now, but when i look at the original use of the "tithe", and the current destination of the almighty "tithe", i don't see them lining up.
the majority of the original tithe offering went to pay for sojourners, widows, orphans, poor and needy. and some of it was returned to the people to have a PARTY!
are we interpreting "modern day pastors" as widows and sojourners and "sunday morning church" as a PARTY?!
i think with all this "tax-reform" political talk in Decision2008, in the church we need to talk some "tithe-reform".
this coming from a guy who's pay check and health care come from the generosity of people's "tithe". i am thankful. but sometimes i wonder if we're a little bit off...
maybe i'll post on this on my blog later? but then again... MAYBE NOT!
You’ve unpacked another layer of this whole fiscal responsibility to God (Tithe). It’s not just the individual’s response to God’s grace, but it’s also the churches response/stewardship of the resource given to them through the individual. And that is a whole new topic—a very worth while one. But I’m still stuck on our responsibility as individuals. It seems to me, if we get that straight the institutional responsibility will be easier to get right.
John Wesley considered the idea of tithing a sub-Christian practice. John Wesley preached that as Christians we should, “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” The “gain all you can part” is pretty self explanatory—don’t be idle, don’t be slothful, be diligent and use your God given gifts to make money. The “save all you can” might be misunderstood. Wesley did not mean build a portfolio. Instead he meant being frugal: don’t waste your money. Do not throw your money away on idle expenses. Don’t spend it merely to “gratify the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, or the pride of life.”
The third imperative is the really tough one: “Give all you can.” Wesley’s words: IN spite of nature, and custom, and worldly prudence, give all you can. I don not say, ‘Be a good Jew, giving a tenth of all you possess.’ I do not say, ‘Be a good Pharisee, giving a fifth of all your substance.’ I dare not advice you give half of what you have. No, nor three quarters: but all!”
If we practiced this as individuals and if the “church” practiced it corporately… I think we could quite literally change our world!
john,
while the statistics may be dismal on the whole when spread throughout the numbers of professing Christians, I know very FEW Christians whose giving is "grudging".
carrie
Carrie,
My point is that very few people who profess Christ do tithe. And then to consider that for those of us in the Wesley tradition, a tithe is considered “sub-Christian” (John Wesley’s term) it’s even worse. If at this time of year everyone would check their tax return against their giving report it might be illuminating. But honestly, that shouldn’t be necessary. Giving is a direct indication of a person’s spiritual life (again, John Wesley).
You may know very few who give grudgingly, but the sad truth is there are many. I’ve listened to them complaining about why they don’t give. I’ve watched them as they justify their spending money on themselves while not tithing (except throwing in a token couple of bucks on special offerings).
Once again let me quote John Wesley: “In spite of nature, and custom, and worldly prudence, give all you can. I d not say, ‘Be a good Jew, giving a tenth of all you possess.’ I do not say, ‘Be a good Pharisee, giving a fifth of all your substance.’ I dare not advise you to give half of what you have. No, nor three quarters; but all!”
John
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