Blessings Given Or Your Money Back

This is off a local church website.  It has been copied and pasted here so this is exactly what is on the site.  I have not added or deleted anything.  They call it the "90-Day Tithe Challenge".  My comments/opinions follow.

God repeatedly challenges us to trust Him with our finances, promising that when we give Him our first and best, He will bless the rest! Exodus 34:26a says “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.” and Prov. 3:9-10 , 2 Chronicles 31:5 , Lev. 27:30 all give us an understanding of how God wants us to trust Him. All that we have belongs to God (Psalm 24:1) and returning to Him a tithe — literally “a tenth” — is one way that we demonstrate He is first in our lives. In return, He promises to bless us!

Will you trust Him enough to let Him do this?

If you are not tithing already, a great way to start is with the 90-Day Tithe Challenge. Essentially, it’s a contract based on the promises of God in Malachi 3:10. We commit to you that if you tithe for three months and God doesn’t hold true to His promises of blessings, we will refund 100% of your tithe given during those 3 months. No questions asked.

Are you ready to take the challenge? Follow these steps:

Register for the challenge and commit to tithing 10% of your income for 90 days.

Return 10% of your income to God for 90 days through giving at your local campus or by giving online.

Record what God has done in your life for 90 days and share your story with us.

 

I didn't plan to blog about this, but after discussions with a few friends who attend this church, and a few that don't, I changed my mind. 

 

I'm a Christian, but due to reasons I won't get into here, church attendance has not been a priority for me lately.  I catch the sermon's online on Monday or Tuesday, but my butt isn't in the pew every Sunday.  I've put money in the offering plate over the years, but I can't say I've every seriously "tithed" regularly by giving the first 10% of my earnings.  I believe I have a great relationship with the Lord.  I'm not saying regular church attendance and regular tithing wouldn't enhance that relationship, but we're ok.

 

That being said, I'm blessed every day, in so many ways, there aren't enough hours in a day to list them all.  God knows my heart, He knows how I feel about Him, and He knows how grateful I am for all He gives me and my family.  Is it really necessary to draw a line in the sand and challenge God?  Who has the nerve to tell God, "I'll give you money, and you bless me or I want my money back"?  I've never had to "buy" a blessing.  They're given to me without any strings attached, and I'm grateful for every one.  If I choose to donate to the church, it's because God has put the idea on my heart to give, not because I'm in need of a blessing.

 

I think this type of thinking can be dangerous.  If you dare to challenge the Almighty, you better be prepared for the consequences.  You don't have to give money to any organization for a blessing, just ask and you'll receive.   

 

Guys Are Such Girls

I was raised with the idea that men are tough, physical beings that work hard, and fix most stuff around the house.  They're protective of their family, their car, and their lawn, not necessarily in that order.  So why is it, when these big, tough, creatures get sick they regress to acting like infants?

My husband had a small procedure done on his toe.  No big deal, local anesthetic, in and out of the doctor's office.  By the way he's whining, you would think he just had major surgery.  He's on the couch, and it sounds like a heard of cows are grazing in my living room.  "Cath, whatcha doin'?", "Cath, do we have any Motrin?", "Cath, can you get me a drink?", "Caaaaaath", Moooooooooo....
Apparently, the table I set up for him beside the couch, with the drink, the Motrin, the TV remote, the newspaper, etc. isn't enough.  He wants me to actually hand him everything.  "Caaaath, The Planet of the Apes marathon is on." "Caaaaath, the dog needs out."  "Caaaaaaath, where are you?"

Like a beached whale, he's sending out his call for help.  Moby is about to get harpooned.  Just call me Ahab.

Why was I able to give birth to a human being the size of a Buick, and survive, but my husband gets his toenail fixed and can barely see through all the pain?

I refuse to be held hostage by his big toe any longer.  Today I take back the remote, and by that act, free women everywhere from the tyranny of the big girls laying on our couches whining for dinner.

The whale has been drug back into the ocean, and I'm ordering a pizza!