Photo creditPlease note: I want to express my heart from the outset of this post to assure my readers that these are musings that the Lord has been working in my heart lately, and I felt compelled to share them with you. I in no way desire to condemn anyone, but my motivation in sharing is to challenge us all to guard our hearts in this matter.
I recently encountered two stories that have challenged me in the motivation and out workings of my pursuit of natural living. The first account began with a friend desiring to throw a baby shower for an expectant mother in her church. This friend was expecting her first little one. The hostess simply wanted to bless and encourage this new mother in her pursuit. When she asked for gift ideas, the new mother stated that she only wanted organic baby clothing, wooden natural toys, organic cloth diapers, and the like. Half of the guests could not afford these products. One lady missed the memo and came with a few plastic toys.
How do you think this made her hostess and guests feel?
The second account took place when I heard a couple share that they had not been tithing for several months and wanted to begin again. They had not been able to afford it. I knew that this family ate all organic and natural foods. This appeared like it could not be sacrificed.
What is more important?
I have had conversations with friends or family members on various occasions when I tried to persuade them of the health consequences or benefits of a certain product. What has resulted? Relationships have been hurt. I have left others feeling condemned or inadequate. Or at a shared meal gathering, when another mom instructs her son not to eat that food item because “it’s not food”, relationships are damaged because we exalt food over fellowship.
Do I consider myself superior to others because we have adopted a more natural lifestyle?
In the past I have skimped on hospitality because I did not want to spend the money to buy good quality food for my guests or when bringing a meal to another. I made the excuse that I couldn’t afford it. In all honesty, I wanted to keep the best of our budget for my family. This is not true generosity. True generosity takes place when I joyfully give the best that I can following the Scriptural command to do unto others as you would have them do to you (Matt. 7:12).
Where is my heart?
The apostle John’s last words in 1 John are, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts (1 John 5:21).” These last words are significant…He wants them to be remembered.
How often do I turn a good thing into a god thing?
As Tim Keller states in Counterfeit Gods, “Most people know you can make a god out of money. Most people know you can make a god out of sex. However, anything in life can serve as an idol, a God-alternative, a counterfeit god…What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”
Natural living can become an idol when we willingly give our emotional and financial resources to achieve it.
Natural living can become an idol when we think that it can give us significance, security, safety and fulfillment.
Natural living can become an idol when we hoard the benefits and not freely offer it to others.
What is my motivation for eating healthy and living naturally? Because I have desired to be a good steward of creation and for the health and wholeness of our family.
Can preserving the safety of my family become an idol in my life? Yes!
When I give my money first towards the purchase of good healthy food prior to giving it back to the Lord in my worship of tithe, natural living has gone too far. When I am more concerned about the safety of my family to the extent that I sacrifice relationships, the service of my brothers and sisters, than natural living has become an idol.
Eating healthy will not guarantee my family a more peaceful longer life. It will not add a single day to my life than God has already determined. Only God knows the number of my days. (Psalms 139:16) He calls me to be faithful to care for my physical body, and this includes being wise in what I put into my body, knowing that it will affect my ability to serve the Lord; but when I raise that to a god-level, it is no longer a good thing. My security must only be found in Christ. He controls my family’s health and wellness.
Eating healthy and living naturally does not make me any more honorable in God’s eyes than any other. We are all in equal standing before Him.
Our first fruit of income should always go to tithe and not food. (Lev. 23:10; Numbers 28:26). Where your money is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21) If I put more money towards my health and wholeness before God and giving unto others, than that is where my treasure lies. It will burn up at the end.
Unity in the body is more important than the safety of our family. (Rom. 14:1-3; Psalms 133)
God calls me to be generous, not to hoard the good stuff for myself. Am I only concerned about my health and not the well-being of my friends, family, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? God loves a cheerful giver. I am challenged to serve the best to my guests as I possibly can. The more you give the less hold it has on your heart. (2 Cor. 8:9)
I have seen and confess to these evidences of idolatry in my heart. Am I implying that organic food, clothing, or wooden toys are bad? In no way. It is a matter of the heart. What is my motivation? Is that a God-glorifying motivation? My challenge to you all…let’s not raise being a good steward to a god position. Let’s not make others feel guilty, discouraged, or overwhelmed because they cannot afford the natural lifestyle or only in part. It’s about relationships. Let’s keep God first, love one another, and pursue giving generously to one another as we are able. Jesus commanded in Luke 10:27 states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” I hope you understand my heart in communicating this message. There is no condemnation here. This is just a challenge to go further up and further in in our pursuit of Christ Jesus with me.
“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.” - Romans 14:1-3
beautifully put!!!
Great Post Lindsay, it is obvious that the Holy Spirit is working in your heart. In this great country we have many benefits. The problem is that when security and comfort are so easy to get, we forget that – including health issues – the only security and comfort that is of any substance can only come from God. We consume in order to receive comfort and security while the rest of God’s world suffers without… Love, Dad
Good post. Having never been able to afford all natural and/or organic products and food, I have certainly been on the looked down on end of this spectrum. Living on one income and blessed to raise and homeschool 13 children leaves many things we can’t afford that some families can. I wouldn’t trade though. I am happy to do the best I can with the income God has provided and be so blessed by God’s gift of many children in our home.
Thanks for gently pointing out how feelings can be hurt and relationships damaged by putting organic/natural above everything else and leave the rest of us feeling very “judged”. Let it be that we all strive for the middle ground and live with each other in an understanding and loving way.
Thanks for the reminder! this is something i have to come back to again & again & re-evaluate. I certainly think things pertaining to “natural living” are important, but it’s so easy for my idol factory of a heart to give it precedence over the source of everything. I appreciate the call to evaluate my heart on the issue again.
Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Number 153!
I, too, have found this very convicting. Thank you for being so straight-forward…
I’ve been in this boat as well. Now I am careful what I say and how I say it, so others don’t feel like I’m a know-it-all. It’s my choice how we eat and live and I don’t need to feel superior over someone else. It’s what I want to do and feel led to do. There have been times when I’ve felt the Lord telling me to back off with ‘health’ because of various things.
Ultimately, He is our source. If all we had to eat was junk, with God all things are possible and He can preserve us. Everything we are blessed with comes from Him, so we always tithe the first of what we have, because it’s showing Him we know He takes care of us. We are dependent on Him.
Even now I’m trying to decide what to do regarding food. It’s sort of becoming a burden to do Nourishing Traditions, but I’m praying about the best direction for our family. I am so thankful that I have the Holy Spirit to direct me.
Great thoughts Lindsay.
Absolutely, Lindsay! I have felt some of those same challenges and struggles in my own heart, and I most certainly agree that natural living or pursuing health can become an idol! This is a message that we need to be discussing over and over again, as Christians who also desire to live naturally and healthfully. Thanks for being faithful to share what’s most important!
Thanks for writing this post. Over the past few years, I’ve been taking baby steps into healthier eating. I definitely plan to continue to do so, but am beginning to feel more and more overwhelmed with it. I want to be a good steward and be careful where I put my money and who I support, but I do not have the time to research every single item I purchase. And so often I felt that many people who are farther down this path than I am, had it all figured out. But husband continues to encourage me to be balanced and not going overboard with natural living. At the mom’s group at our church this week I was talking to some moms about some of the food decisions I make and someone said how she doesn’t have the time or money to go organic, even though she would like to, and relies on her prayers that she and her family would be healthy, even when she knows what they are eating is not the healthiest. I appreciate you being real and admitting your struggles. It’s helpful to know I am not the only one feeling this way.
I too struggle with this Trish. I recently embarked upon this natural/healthier eating lifestyle, and often times find myself overwhelmed too. My husband, like yours, is also very supportive and he reminds me to take one day at a time. It is nice to know that I too am not the only one out there who feels like this. Thank you Trish for your honesty, and I wish you luck.
This is an excellent post!
I have come to the conclusion that when I’d consistently rather spend free moments researching something health-related than worshiping God, there’s a problem with me… Am I seriously more interested in food than its Creator?? Every so often I pull back entirely and “fast” from all things health-related to regain/retain perspective. I did this again in December of last year, and it was so helpful.
Really, what we put in & on our bodies is extremely temporary. Time, energy, and finances spent to further the gospel is so eternal! I want to be much more enthused about people’s souls than about my body, which will only last another few decades, regardless of what I put in it.
I have personally been offended by people who refused to eat food offered, just because it wasn’t organic. As I have come to better understand how strongly connected all parts of our being are (spirit, soul & body), I really wonder if the relational tension that sprung from that situation wasn’t significantly more damaging to the health of both of us than one meal of non-organic produce. Fear and stress will kill us faster than just about any diet habits!
Good food choices are good. Thankfulness, trusting God, relationships with people around me, and the spread of the gospel are way better. I don’t want to lose the best in the pursuit of the merely good.
Wow! This is something I’ve been sort of struggling with lately. Not exactly about making it a god…but about feeling a bit superior. All this natural stuff is relatively new to me and I’m not quite ALL in yet…but I talk about it a lot and I’ve felt that some of my friends think it’s stupid and useless since we’re all gonna die anyways. I’ve realized that I can chose to live this way, but I don’t need to push it on others…or even discuss it with people who don’t care.
Thanks! This was very encouraging!
I greatly appreciate your heart and pursuit of the Lord! I am encouraged to continually ask myself these hard questions and keep an eye on the idol factory of my heart particularly in this area. Thank you for your example!
Very well written, Lindsey. I agree, and have fallen prey to many of the same errors. Thank you for sharing your struggle, and for challenging others in the process, keeping the focus on the Lord. Bless you!
Shannon
Excellent post! The Lord has already shown me that this was an idol for me. It took my husband hurling a full gallon of raw milk out the back door one day. Thankfully the Lord brought to mind the “golden calf” situation as I was anguishing over the loss and time spent driving to get it and money spent for it. I’m glad it happened, He changed my heart that day. I constantly need encouragement in this area though, because of the temptation to “save the health” of my family, teach others to “save” them, always talking about it (vs. the Lord). He wants us tell about Him and proclaim His power…(Psalm 71: 15-24). Thank You!
A challenging post. I can definitely learn from this! Thank you!
Thanks for your transparency, Lindsay! I really appreciated what good thoughts and insights you had to share.
Wow – this struck a chord with me as I was just contemplating this very issue today. We did our two week major food shopping trip today, and I went a bit over budget. I was thinking about the passage that says we should not worry about what we eat or drink, and I wondered if I am getting too caught up in the whole organic/natural lifestyle. I spend a lot of time researching and reading about it, probably more than I should. And definitely more time is spent there than on my time with God. Thank you for this post. It really helps keep things in perspective. Once again I am reminded why yours is my favorite blog!
Good words! God did an amazing thing in my life 4 years ago by showing me how my body can be healed by changing my food. I have gone back and forth with the pride thing over these 4 years and he continually reminds me that this was a work that HE did in my life, not one that I could have done or even would have done on my own.
The children of Israel ate what God provided them in the desert and it was enough. There have been times over the past four years when we have had plenty and spent a lot of money on real food and times when all we could afford was beans. Our health remained intact and it gave us a thankful heart for what God provides.
We must also remember that the enemy has a very strong foothold in the natural health movement that is fear based and draws people into heathen worship such as hinduism and buddhism, taoism and all of their american copy cats.
We cannot get so wrapped up in the worship of nature and natural things that we allow these vain philosophies to infiltrate our faith.
Thank you for sharing this and thank you Cammie for posting it.
AMEN! It has been a long standing conviction of mine to trust God when I cannot afford to purchase “organic”. What is not done in faith is done in fear. That which you fear you serve. God cannot bless that which is done in fear. Remember Job.
Wonderful post Lindsey! As a new mom, I have noticed a “Who’s more organic/natural” competitive spirit at times, and it can be hard not to get caught up in it and feel discouraged, judging yourself and/or others, so I really appreciate this priority check blog post!!
Wow, wow, WOW!!!
THANK YOU for such an amazing post! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now , but I’m pretty sure I haven’t commented yet. I think you have just hit (slammed!!) the nail on the head.
I have often been made to feel guilty or “lesser” because I could not adhere to the type of green living that I would love to have, normally due to financial reasons. I remember once having to leave a mommy group for this very reason. They simply could not stand me going against their grain and using disposable diapers and other minor “unhealthy” living choices. Trust me, I knew how bad these things could be for us. But, I had 3 kids in diapers. I was alone most of the time as my husband was military and gone all the time. I had an itty bitty washing machine and had 3 kids under 3, one a preemie. We had very limited finances. I simple couldn’t do it all.
Thank you for how you so graciously and humbly put this out there. If more Christians followed such a logic (meaning, CHRIST centered in ALL things) I think more people would be able to see the love of Jesus, instead of a holier than thou complex that runs rampant through the Church…
I respect you deeply for this post…
Tasha
Excellent post!
You are right on in your post. I hear your heart in this matter and agree it is important for us to keep “balance” in our lives and to remember that it is more important to Love God and Love People.
Blessings,
Good word!!!! Let Jesus be glorified in every part of our lives!!!
What a wonderful post! I myself have felt this in different areas of my life, particular some areas of natural living and have actually backed off my expectations of myself and my family. It is truly freeing to let go of these things we hold on to dearer than the commands of God.
Thank you so much for this wonderful post. I can tell you are speaking from your heart and your own experiences. I also love your application of scripture to this issue because I believe the first thing to do in any circumstance is to see what God has to say through the Bible.
I confess I can unfortunately relate to many of the things you mentioned. It was definitely good for me to look at my attitude and ask God to change my heart. I think Matthew 15:11 addresses this question well. Jesus says, “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” So even more important than the nourishment we put into our bodies is the “nourishment” that comes out of our mouths with kind and gracious speech.
Your post spoke to my heart. I, too, struggle with these things. We eat this way to keep our family healthy, and yet is is hurtful to decline a food made with love at a family or friend’s gathering.
Thank you Lindsay!
This was an excellent post. I have struggled in this area as well. The part about not tithing because we can’t afford it but buying organic foods hit home for me. It is so hard to strike a balance between doing what we feel is best for our families and making an idol out of it — which, in the end, doesn’t benefit our families at all. I specifically struggle with issues of pride and arrogance with my parenting choices. How many times have I put up walls or made someone feel bad by being a Miss Know-It-All?
I recently wrote about my struggles on my blog. http://birkelfamilylife.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/in-which-i-leave-the-cult-of-attachment-parenting/
I really enjoy your blog and admire your heart.
Thanks for this post, Lindsey. It is very thought provoking. I appreciate that you share what the spirit has led you to share. I needed this!
Way to go Lindsay!!!! This is your best post yet. It’s so funny, I have been having a tithe discussion in my online class at Liberty, and your post could not be more timely. I appreciate your candor and the confessions of your heart. I appreciate your points, which are stated elegantly and backed by scripture. I have been struggling over the practice of tithing, and your post is encouraging. Thanks!
Thank you for posting this, Lindsay. I have seen many of the same things at our church in the past. Thankfully (by God’s grace) the issue of food and natural living has not ever become completely divisive, but I know that fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ who have made slightly different lifestyle choices has been negatively affected, even breached at times. It is so refreshing to hear someone in the natural living camp speak out with a balanced viewpoint about God’s sovereignty over our days and man’s responsibility. We can strive to be diligent stewards of our bodies and the world around us without setting our hope on those things. Every breath that we have is a merciful gift from the Lord and it is tempting to become presumptuous that we can control something like our personal health (or that of our family) and forget that He is the one who sustains us every moment.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I felt the spirit as I read it and know that putting Heavenly Father first is what matters most. He will guide us in finding the right balance for our families. I loved everything you said! Thank you again!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks for a thoughtful and gracious post. All of life is worship… what or whom are we worshipping? May the Lord bless you, Lindsay!
beautiful post, Lindsay. a much needed balance and warning.
Beautiful….
Good Job!
Amen! Amen! Amen! Thank you for this encouraging reminder. I’m posting a link to this on my blog and Facebook!
I think this post has struck a chord in just about every reader’s heart. It’s kind of funny you should write about this since my husband and my mom (who lives with us right now) were talking about this and deciding what our dietary goals are. We decided that we really want to eat organic and eat real foods as much as possible. But realizing 2 of us are unemployed in the family and the 1 who is employed doesn’t earn all that much, we knew we would be limited… and we are.
We decided that we will eat whatever the Lord sets before us. Whatever He provides for us is good and is what He intended to nourish us with and we are to give thanks to him, healthful and organic or not (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
P.S. – AS FOR PICKY MOMS AT BABY SHOWERS (because I have run into a few): This may be a little O.T. but I have decided that if I can’t afford a certain item on their list I will either buy them a book that I saw about feeding your baby naturally OR in a real budget crunch, print off and put into a nice, decorated binder all the natural mother and baby care tips and recipes and ideas I have researched or found from other people’s research. That to me would be a wonderful gift (if it’s not to them, then they’re not a friend or grateful person
)
As one of those picky moms, I think your idea is great. I think it’s a far greater travesty to just buy me something for the sake of buying a gift, and if it’s not something I would use or enjoy, then your money is wasted. I’d rather NOT receive a gift than one I couldn’t use. So for those on a tight budget who want to give a little something, I hope they see your advice and take it to heart because that is awesome
I agree…very well-said!
Well said, i have had some of those same thoughts and feelings myself. We need to always put God first. For us that means “paying” him first in our tithing. But what made me thoughtful was in regard to sharing what we have with others. I have had those same feelings, like sometimes I can’t afford it. But with adjustments and thinking ahead it is not out of reach to provide healthy and frugal meals to others. My husband was a missionary in a very poor country. he was always impressed by these very poor families who desired to feed them their best….and were offended if he did not have seconds! We should all strive to be that generous!
Is there is a needy family and we bring them our best and come home to peanut butter and jelly, where is the harm? There is none and I think the blessings we would receive would amaze us.
good point!
“. For us that means “paying” him first in our tithing.”
No where is scripture does it say he needs anything from us. HE is the provider.
Excellent post!
Well, written post and very thoughtful. I agree with you heartily. Thankfully, my husband keeps me in check or I could go a bit loopy for organic.
I say do your best, but always God first.
I totally agree with you!
At 110 comments, I can’t possibly read them all, but I have read some. And I absorbed your whole post and loved every bit of its challenge! In particular, I was challenged by the idea of giving our best. I do not always do that.
So that was really good to read.
Regarding the tithe issue, though, I would like to suggest that we might consider our food dollars – no matter how they are spent – as a tithe. We spend money on food no matter what. Where does it go? We choose. Those dollars support someone. I would rather put my funds in the pocket of someone in my community, even if they’re outside of the Church, rather than see them go to a big corporation. If this leaves less of our budget leftover for official giving, so be it and glory to God for allowing us to bless real people that we know by supporting their livelihood! Frankly, they need our support. Walmart (or ______ insert any big chain grocery store) does not.
God bless you, Lindsey, for asking challenging questions.
this is what i was getting at in my comment (earlier up) as well…
Yes, I agree.
I would like to repent of my use of the words “so be it.” If we know anything of God it is that He cares more for the heart than the actions. I did not mean to suggest it is okay not to give to God’s people – any I mean giving without strings attached (how the money gets used, etc.) Of course we should do that giving, generously.
The point I was trying to make was that outside of tithing, we shouldn’t forget that we vote with our food dollars. If what we spend can have a local or personal impact, I’m in favor of choosing that direction rather than the other less personal approach. And, if someone doesn’t have extra money to spend (if this would cost them more) then obviously, they can’t do that.
Thanks for your honesty and for this post…I think, I know I have also been guilty of giving my time into researching health and nutrition issues, when I should have been caring for my husband, my kids or my home. It is so important to keep Jesus first and then all else will fall into place.
Amen sister! well put!
Thank you so much for your post….agreed!!! Your honesty and transparency are wonderful. We must keep our eyes on HIM!!!! Thanks too for your ministry, encouragement, support and AWESOME recipes! We keep you and your family in our prayers.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and gentleness in this post. I hope you don’t mind that I put a link to it on my blog. (if so just let me know!)
I went through a season when eating as healthy as possible was an idol and I’m so grateful that the Lord brought me out of it gently and continues to speak to my heart about what’s important for my family (Like you said, ultimately it’s Luke 10:27, not what kind of veggies we eat).
I really enjoy reading your posts Lindsey! I realized I was going over the board with this organic stuff when I started thinking about going organic with pads and toilet paper. The lady who stopped tithe because she went all organic got me thinking. We don’t know what her motives were behind all this, but just lets give her the benefit of the doubt. Some have to go organic because of their families health issues. Some are allergic to practically everything. When someone is in this situation you want to buy the best food possible. My daughter is allergic to wheat,milk,eggs,nuts, and soy. One box of cereal is $8.00. I have my own opinion about tithe. God gave us a family, so we should take care of them first before anyone else. Some don’t have anything to give after their basic expenses. I never been in a financial situation where I had to give up the way I eat in order to “tithe”. If we have a clean conscious, God will let us know when it is wrong to buy organic over giving “tithe”. Please don’t get me wrong, but I don’t believe in “tithe”. Where does it say in the bible that we have to give a certain amount? I do believe in helping the poor and personally I do every month. Before we start saying anything about giving “tithe” we should research what it is. God did not want the priest to work and own land. He strictly wanted them to teach the law therefore they were dependent on donations. Read Numbers 18:31 and Numbers 18:20-21. Today it is different. I don’t mind supporting a pastor who needs to pay his bills and who does not work, but when you look at the Mega churches today, who knows where the money is going. The point is we should take care of our family first then start helping others. Lets say someone is a choir director or a deacon and spends a lot of time away from his own family and his own kids are going a stray. Although he is doing good, but at the expense of his family. I’m not saying you can’t work in the church. Since when it is wrong to serve family first over others? Food is a necessity. Organic food is a way of life and it is normal. I personally would feel worse about going into debt and borrowing money and driving Mercedes over Toyota Camry even if you can afford it, but that’s different topic. I enjoy your blog Lindsey even if I don’t agree with all the way!
Mommy,
As to your question about where in the Bible does it say to give a certain amount- the word “tithe” literally means “one-tenth”.
This was also in the Old Testament and of the Old Covenant. We also have to look at churches today. Are we building the church as we are the “arms” “legs” “the body” as he is the head?, or are we tithing to pay for a building. To look at the tithe in this manner we really need to dig deeper into what the church is really supposed to be. Not a building, with bills of electricity payments and ties to the government. Seek out the 501C3 and see how every church who gets a tax credit is under the governments laws and preaching the true gospel has certain choke holds and is restricted on certain subjects and topics of the Bible. It is truly eye opening.
I just wanted to add my thoughts on this. I appreciate your comment and know that you are doing what you feel is best for your family and in line with scripture. Tithing is not a “requirement” at all, it is a heart attitude. The pharisees tithed everything, but their heart was not in it. In Matthew 15:8 Jesus says, “These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me”. So the letter of the law is not as important as the heart. In that I agree with you very much. However, I just want to leave you with this thought, EVERYTHING you have was given to you by God, all he asks for is 10%, I personally feel like I owe him at least that much in gratitude for everything he has done for me.
Jennifer,
I totally agree with you that everything we do have is from God. He is the one that gives my husband health so that he is able to go to work and provide and I am grateful for that. I don’t want people to think that I am against giving to others. I want to know how many of us get out our checkbooks in the beginning of the month and the first check we write is a donation check before paying rent,putting money away for food, health care, etc. I just don’t believe we have to give 10%. People should give what they can from their heart. How can you say that the letter of the law is not as important as the heart? For today it’s like saying the ten commandments is not important as the heart. What will happen to your heart if you don’t even try to follow the commandments. Personally I give what is on my heart and although I can give more I will wait for the lord to let me know when it is time and where it should go.
I too have questions about the tithing issue and commented on it earlier up (“Jessica”)One lady responded graciously with one verse from the NT that does mention tithing…i encourage you to read my comment and her reply, if you want more food for thought…and i think this is really a great topic.
Mommy wrote: “I have my own opinion about tithe. God gave us a family, so we should take care of them first before anyone else.”
There is no opinion to have about tithe. It is our reasonable service as we are commanded of God. God did not give us a family so that we would put them before Him. God is to be placed before EVERYTHING in our lives. The 10% that he asks is the LEAST that we can do because tithe is a requirement, different from an offering. He sent His only son for us and we would have the nerve to have an “opinion” about what He’s asked that we do?? How dare we act so mighty? We don’t deserve a thing God has blessed us with – not even the job that He’s blessed us with so that we can have that 10% to give. Tithing is an ordinance. The scripture begins with the words “thou shalt”. In the book of Leviticus 27:30, the Lord claims all the tithe and fruit of the land as His in the first place. These are of the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses.
You also wrote that “Some don’t have anything to give after their basic expenses”. I think you missed the point. God has given us the strength to obtain wealth in the first place, and requires only 10% of that FIRST so that the other 90% would be blessed. Would you rather give 10% so that 90% would be blessed, or give nothing and have all 100% would be cursed. Maybe you’ll have some time to read Deuteronomy 14:22, that should help you understand where in the Bible we are instructed to give a certain amount. I say this in love and only to help you, so I do hope you take the time to learn.
Lauren, my husband and I did not tithe for over five years. It is clear to me now that as a result, God’s hand of blessing was not on our finances. We have tithed faithfully for the past five years and I can’t begin to tell you all of the ways that He has blessed and stretched each dollar (and seemingly given us even more to share). How could we dare not give when He has given us EVERYTHING?! He is SO good! The LEAST I can give Him in return is 10%. In addition, if God’s people do not tithe, what will keep the work of the church going? Where will the faithful men of God receive the “double honour” (I Tim. 5:17) due them if not from those they are faithfully serving? Perhaps those who are not tithing need to reassess whether their monetary focus is where it should be. I appreciate Lindsay being bold in this regard.
I’d also love to bless you with my own testimony of tithing and giving. I did not always understand tithing, and just did it in the past because my mom “said so”. After getting married I realized I was FREE (lol) and could do what I want with my money. My husband started talking to me about how he tithes, and I decided to study tithing on my own. God completely changed my tithing. I didn’t feel bound to just giving my money to the church when I had no idea what they were going to use it for in the first place; rather, I felt instructed by my loving father in heaven to do what He told me to do because He has blessed me so much and will continue to do so through my obedience.
A year down the road my husband lost his job and I was unable to return to mine. Although our tithing was nonexistent, our giving never changed!! Our financial advisor thought we were crazy – as a matter of fact she asked my husband several times whether or not he meant to add that extra “0″ on some of our checks. [Now, mind you, I know this giving is totally separate from tithe, but I'm going somewhere]. We continued to give and any time we were blessed with some increase I would tithe in the form of a meal to the first family of my church. Now I know that everyone can’t do something like this in their own church, but it was such a blessing for me to take time out of my schedule and prepare a full course meal to take to our Pastor, his wife, and 3 (hungry) boys. That was my way of giving of my own increase. I even spent more money on them than I was able to do for myself. We had no money coming in, but 3 times as much going out and I still don’t know how I’m sitting here today in a sound mind because the economy has not worked in the favor of either of us.
In the end I learned (and am still learning) that God will supply all our needs. I didn’t have to hoard everything to myself. I can give and still be obedient to His word and He will make a way for us. Right now we are living on what I can only call “manna” from heaven. There’s nothing in the bank at times, and then, miraculously, I am able to carry my debit card on over to whole foods and leave with the nutritious meals that I desire for my beautiful family.
There is a lot of truth to what you say. I also believe the state of the world today has a big role with this issue too. Population, economics, corporatism, politics, war, energy, society, the list could go on, and I could explain how each one of those plays into it, but it’s such a deep subject. Could you imagine going back in time and feeling superior because you grew your own food, or that you bought it whole/raw? Or that you used more simple self-reliant practices….like cleaning with baking soda and vinegar? Isn’t it strange how the tables have turned? I’ve never really felt better or smarter than anyone else because I choose to live my life more naturally. Although, nor am I so picky that I wouldn’t accept/allow something that wasn’t green/natural/organic enter my life, house or body. It’s all about finding the perfect balance between manners, patience, tolerance, and morals. For me, natural living is one way I’m helping myself broaden my knowledge and understanding, and most importantly self-reliancy and independence. This was a very good post Lindsay, I hope you have more like it in the future.
I have found that when I am spending more TIME washing cloth diapers than I am with people, that it is going to far. A natural life-style needs to be FLEXIBLE, or God’s most important commandment to “Love your neighbor” gets ignored. I have been thinking about this a lot lately too. Thanks!