Today, at church, I am responsible for the offering appeal. This is my least favorite duty at church. Why? I loathe asking people to cough up their hard earned money, even if it is what God has asked of us all. I loathe asking, because we should all be joyous about returning our tithes and offerings to the God that provided it for us in the first place, but instead, we see it as an obligation.
I think people view tithes and offerings in the same manner as taxes. We have to pay or else. With taxes that is true, but with a few differences. If you don't "pay" tithes and offerings, no one is going to send you a bill with interest that is compounded daily. If you don't "pay" tithes and offerings, no one is going to arrest you, try you in a court of law, and put you in prison for tithes and offerings evasion.
There is another glaring difference. When we "pay" tithes and offerings (especially with a willing and happy heart, mind, and soul), God has promised to "open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams." (Malachi 3:10, MSG) I don't believe the IRS can or will match that kind of promise.
Some of you may be wondering why I have typed pay in quotation marks. Because when we "pay" our tithes and offerings, we aren't really paying God. We are actually returning to Him what He has provided for us. Another glaring difference between the IRS and God. The IRS hasn't given us anything of account for our troubles and they keep wanting to tax us for every little thing! (Isn't this one of the reasons we left England?) In all the time I have known God, He has never once asked for more than 10% of my income. Ten percent and whatever I deem for other offerings. That's it. No more; no less. Seems to me that the IRS might do well, to take a page from God's Book, don't you think?
Anyway, it isn't easy coming up with new and fresh ideas for something we should be doing without prompting. I long for the day when people will just walk up to a pastor, elder, or deacon and say (with a huge smile): "Where do I return my tithes and offerings?"
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