A Tip For Us All

March 11th, 2010 | Are you a “tipper” or a “tither”?  I first heard that terminology used years ago at a training seminar for evangelism, of all places.  It was not used in a derogatory way, but simply stated as a fact. The concept has stuck with me all these years, although I have never shared it with folks in any public forum.   Some people regularly, and I might add Biblically, give a percentage of their income to the work of the Lord, while others lean more towards “tipping”.  Generally tippers give less often and less money.  They are moved to give at times by a song or a message, or perhaps even a special service or need.  Giving for them is not necessarily a budgeted thing, but typically just falls into the category of miscellaneous expenses.   The danger of this kind of giving is that more often than not, the amount of the tip seems to be derived by whatever resources, if any, are left over.   Don’t get me wrong.  We appreciate what is given, no matter how little the amount or how sporadic the timing.  However, we cannot flourish here on tips alone.  Thanks to all the giving that is taking place now, we continue to survive even in these tough economic times.  However, to address our expanding ministry needs, more resources will be needed. My challenge for all of us today is to prayerfully consider moving from being merely a “tipper” to a faithful “tither”.  If you are already tithing, I encourage you to likewise consider adding an extra tip to your tithe.  Tithing is the scriptural place to start giving, but certainly not a place to stop.

“Will a man rob God?  Yet you rob me.  But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings…Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty,” and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it.” 

Malachi 3:8-11
A tip for us all,