Growing up in Twin Falls, Idaho, I remember as a child placing a dime in the offering plate – to help children in Africa. Other than that church was free except for my Mite Box, again to help children elsewhere. I thought church was free, maybe supported by God. Fast forward to the College of Idaho and my classes from Dr. Chalker (Old Testament and New Testament) – the concept of tithing was introduced to me. All that we have was given us from God. Just 10% of income is all the church asks us for. Why? Support of outreach? Support of plant? Pay the clergy and staff? Yes to all of those.
What is my faith? How can I support my faith? By pledging and paying my pledge. Lest I forget, I can support my church by volunteering my time and talent as well. You may have seen me around from time to time – volunteering, being part of the church community.
Can I be my own church community? I’m not a community. We are the church. We are the church community. Can I be the church by myself? No, We are the church, the church community. If we are to last, we must support “the church.” Do I have all the talents for all the church functions – not hardly – someone else may perform those functions, and can they do them for free? I guess we need to pay those folks. And some give of their time and talents as well.
Do I tithe? Not quite there. But I do volunteer some. Room to grow.
~Bruce Roberts