A few years back, possibly in 2009 when I was in year 11, most of you would have heard about how my iPod was stolen which had contained many precious photos and memories from my computer (my computer was dying so I backed it all up on the iPod), and it was an iPod classic so... I literally lost a couple hundred dollars, and to add to it.. it was my brothers.
Dun Dun Duunnn.
I prepped myself up for a harsh tongue-lashing from my brother and mother. But to my surprise, all I got was "it's alright man, just be more careful with this sort of stuff yeah?" from my bro and a "it's just material things lah, don't worry, it's just such a pity we lost all those photos!" from mum. A little gobsmacked, I went away that day realising that money and material things are the least important things in this world; holding onto such things so tightly can only be detrimental and cause anxiety in your heart. It's okay not to have these things. As nothing is as valuable as Salvation or a relationship with God.
And thus is the long-winded introduction to what I had on my heart.
Matthew 6:19-20 says, Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I've just recently got a job (Thank you God!) and I'm finally earning some money. The first thing that came to mind was "YAY I CAN FINALLY BUY MORE CLOTHES!!" and was also excited that I could now finally tithe! And a question came up, why should I tithe? why is it that God wants me to tithe? Then that verse popped up, Matthew 6:19.
The money I spend on clothes, food, and other worldly things will all rust and fray; and thieves may steal them, proven in my story of the iPod. These things will not last and only give a momentary satisfaction. Once the latest fashion/gadget comes out next year, your $50/$100 spent today will be redundant. If we grow too attached and dependent on such things, we will always be let down and never satisfied.
Instead, we have an opportunity to sow into something that will have eternal effect. Perhaps our giving will help in salvations, which in turn can cause more salvations, and more and more!
In essence, all these material things we have hoarded up will eventually die, but as we sow into God's kingdom, His purpose and His vision will propel our giving further than the monetary value of it is really capable of. Money, clothes and fancy expensive gadgets don't add value to our lives, or anyone else's. God does. Taking part in the amazing opportunity to support and mobilising God's purpose does. (Not that God needs our money)
Why does God want me to tithe? I believe that God is teaching me how to trust in Him in something that I find most difficult to let go of, my finances. I have so many plans and so many ways to spend, but God is teaching me to be obedient in trusting that God will provide for every need I have. Not to mention teaching me how to be more generous, and just loving people.
This is what that has been relevant to my life recently now that I have a job, and I pray that I (and all of us) will always give with joy, a knowing that our giving ripples through to peoples lives/eternity, and an expectation that God will do amazing things through it.
Sorry for the long-winded post =) Time for bed!
Love,
Joyceywoyce.
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