Way back in the early 1980s (it seems like another world now), I was playing on the tennis team at a small college in West Virginia, attending the Inter-Varsity college fellowship, studying history, and working as a youth ministry director at New Street Church. The pastor of this growing church changed my life with a simple question:“Are you tithing?”
Initially, I thought the pastor wanted me to wear a tie to church, which was difficult (and still is today). In all honesty, I may have heard the word but I didn’t know the definition. I was raised in a mainline church in the city of Baltimore, and I don’t think I ever heard a single message on tithing, let alone money, at youth group.
My college pastor was the Rev. Charles Cathcart, a prisoner of war from World War II. He invaded my life as a sovereign move of God. Whenever people ask, “David, why are you so evangelistic?” My response is always, “Charles.” Why do I share Jesus with passion and boldness? Why am I so ministry-oriented? I would like to answer, “Jesus,” but the answer is “Charles.”
One day, we had a conversation about money and how all of our funds belong to God but God desires that we return or give 10 percent of our income to the Lord. Of course, my question was gross income or net income and in good rabbinical tradition Charles answered a question with a question, “What do you think, gross or net?” Well, the good news is that 25 years ago, I responded gross because as a college student working at a church, my salary was really gross!
STEWARDS OF RESOURCES
I want to ask you the same question. Are you tithing? More importantly, are you teaching your students to give not only their prayers, presence, and service but their gifts, as well? Where do our students learn about how to handle their resources? Fortunately, some families invest in their children by teaching them how to be stewards or caretakers of their resources. Who taught you about handling the resources that God has entrusted to you? Who is teaching your students about money in a needy world?
Several years ago, I went to a financial planner for some investment advice. As he examined my income and expenses, I will never forget his statement. The financial planner remarked, “David, the math doesn’t work.”
Because I am math-challenged (actually I was doing well in math until some smart person decided to add letters into the mix), I didn’t even understand his remark. The financial planner, who is a Christian, said that I must at least tithe, because the income, expenses, and giving don’t balance.
There are numerous reasons to tithe: There is favor, there is financial blessing, and, most importantly, because of our obedience, the math doesn’t work. It’s supernatural!
CHEERFUL GIVING
I don’t want to heap any more guilt upon you (because some of you are excelling in the guilt department). It’s my desire to encourage you as a believer, as a disciple to learn the art of giving and tithing.
Trust me, I understand it’s difficult to tithe on your salary. Some of you reading this article raise your own support as parachurch youth workers and missionaries. However, there is passion and excitement in giving, as the Lord loves a cheerful giver.
Howard Hendricks once said, “More is caught than taught.” I am so thankful that my college pastor, Charles, not only taught me how to tithe but, more importantly, modeled a giving lifestyle. Are you tithing? Are you teaching your students to tithe?
