“We will not neglect the house of our God.”

I can’t win.

If I talk about tithing—giving 10% of whatever comes in to the ministry of Christ’s church—folks will just say, “Of course you say that. You’re not a disinterested party, and you just want our money.”

If I do NOT talk about tithing, then folks will never understand that it’s important!

In our reading today from Nehemiah 10, we see that Nehemiah and Ezra have the people pledge to give a tenth part of their income to the ministry of the newly-rebuilt Temple. This is an important part of what repentance looks like—to commit to living the right way.

It’s really that simple. If you are a follower of Jesus, you need to be a tither—whatever comes in the door, give 10% of it to your local church.

If you think I’m just after your money, then I’ll call your bluff: if Munger is your local church, then just find another local church and give it there. That’s how much I believe in tithing.

Why Doesn't God See Cain's Offering as Favorable?

It is human nature to want to control or manipulate God (or the gods) so we can get the outcome we want. Think about the lucky rabbit’s foot or the baseball slugger’s warmup superstitions or avoiding broken mirrors: these are little practices that are supposed to make things go well for us. Offering sacrifice is the purest form of this behavior. “I will make an offering so that God or the gods will either be pleased with me or at least will feel placated and will leave me alone.”

Now, consider Cain: we know he is a farmer, and so he is dependent on the weather, which is outside of his control. God does not ask for or desire sacrifice in order to be favorably disposed towards Cain, but Cain wants to manipulate God by offering a sacrifice. When he offers some of his produce to God, he is showing a desire to be in control.

When God is not favorably disposed to the offering, Cain shows murderous rage and jealousy towards his brother Abel. Cain wants his offering to gain favor with God, and when it doesn’t, his anger is the anger of a prideful man who feels he has been humiliated; it is the anger of an entitled man who doesn’t get what he wants.

The irony of the Cain and Abel story is that, after the murder, God shows his character by being merciful to Cain.

I think Abel’s gift of the firstborn from his flock is meant to be seen as a gift of thanksgiving toward God—it cost him more, and I think it is reasonable to assume he gave it freely and joyfully, as opposed to trying to manipulate God.

How are you giving to God today—like Cain, or like Abel?

Today’s Scripture

Genesis 4:1-16

You Have Everything You Need

Jesus seems to think of the world as a safe place, full of abundance, created by a generous God:

²² Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

Luke 12:22-31

How would today be different for you if you believed that you had everything you need?

P.S. Sorry about missing the last 2 days....

Today’s Scripture:

Luke 12:13-34

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