Giving "Middle School"

​Through Moses, God liberated Israel from slavery in Egypt. As Israel entered the “Promised Land,” God said, “I gave you life, I set you free, I gave you this land. At the end of each year, give away the first fruits of all the produce of the land, the first 10%. Do that and you will learn more and more about who I am and how much I love you and this whole world” (to paraphrase Deuteronomy 14).
This is where these ABCs of giving come from. It was taught to me like this: 10-10-80. All you have and all you are is 100% God’s. So give away 10%, save 10% (or use 10% to reduce debt), and live on 80%. This way, all your money serves God and you receive more of the freedom and joy God wants for you.
Sara (my wife) and I practice “first fruits” tithing. I say so not to make myself a big deal but so you know, I practice what I preach. And it is possible. I’m by no means the only St. Paul person who tithes.
St. Paul as a congregation practices first fruits tithing for the “Listen, God is Calling” campaign, giving away $1,000 of every $10,000 received. For regular giving, St. Paul is wrestling: trying to both tithe and invest in staff to grow the church. Having fully tithed in the past, right now this year, we’ve given away between 6% and 7%. I expect the final year end percentage will be higher, but not fully 10%.
Giving is not God’s secret get-rich scheme, as many teach. It’s God’s lead-us-home scheme. To a “Promised Land” of freedom, hope, and rest, where all enjoy being and having enough and the greater gifts of God, each other, and our true selves.
-PC