The Tithe

"Tell us, then, what do you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "why put me to the test, you hypocrites?" show me the coin for the tax." and they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said Caesar's." Then He said to them. "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:17-21

We mix things up, He sees through!

The Pharisees had sent their disciples to test Jesus, He knew their hearts and where they came from.

Jesus, the Son of God, had no problem with paying taxes, in another place he had sent Peter to fish and inside the fish was a coin to pay tax, for both of them.

Do you, christian, mix up what you pay to the Lord and what the government gets? The tithe belongs to the Lord, it is our first fruit. Taxes, although taken before we see our pay, do go to the government. Do you give out of the net or do you tithe on the gross, the amount you would get if you were then able to apportion out your tax after receiving it?

Do you, self-employed person struggle with what to pay? I am self-employed, sort of, I have my own company and then pay myself a wage. Being self-employed is a great opportunity to give, if we allow it. Pay your tithe as you would as an employee but then seek the Lord for the rest, what does He want you to give out of your actual income into the company?

I paint pictures for leisure and the very first painting I sold I gave all of the income, for me this was the first fruit.

Go to a quiet space and ask the Lord, what would You have me give Lord? Do not be afraid of the answer, it will challenge you but bless you at the same time.

There is giving beyond the tithe as well. A small example is I was given a Christmas cake, made by my sister (the fiesty one) and I gave that cake as a blessing to someone to say thanks. When I arrived in Sydney to see my brother he gave me a bigger cake, now I am in Tamworth looking for this cake's home. To be a part of blessing others is such fun, the Lord supplies the gift, just give it.

Today I spend a day, catching up with good friends and family. I am going to enjoy, with eyes wide open, looking for whom the Lord wants me to bless.