Above and Beyond

Most of the things we enjoy come through the hard work of another person, many of which may not receive the pay equal to the quality of their work. For example, when you go to a restaurant you are required to pay the full bill for your service. Tips are highly recommended when servers, waitresses and waiters are involved Some people don't tip. Then there are those who tip generously. In either case, there's a need and a service that takes place that too often doesn't match the actual "price tag."

Needs and services exist in the church. The people who attend need and are seeking something they cannot get in the world. And the church provides services to those who attend. What we sometimes fail to realize is that the church has a need also. The leaders of a church spend a great deal of time and effort into making sure the church operates effectively to meet the needs of the people. This is a full time ministry for some of them. Our lives are being enriched and blessed as a result.

Numbers 18:21-24 exemplifies how it takes finances to do God's work. "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting. From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites." (NIV)

Our tithes and offering directly support the work of the ministry. God commands us to tithe. It's a requirement not a suggestion. Once we respond in the area of tithing, we need to give generously in our offering. Luke 6:38 shows us that when we are obedient to the Word of God in our TITHES and OFFERINGS, then we should expect an abundance of blessings; "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(NIV)

Please remember that both the TITHES and OFFERINGS need to be given in your church. Go above and beyond tithing and offer a blessing more than the one you received. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the area of giving above the requirement. He will show you and you will be blessed.

~Lynn