Sowing A Seed: Tithing, Giving, & Charity

Check out how the Torah, Gospel, & Qur'an are bearing witness to one another in regards to Tithing, Giving, & Charity... These scriptures fell on my heart this morning thought I'd share... *Many people look at Sowing A Seed solely as a monetary thing. God knew that not only should we spend in His way monetarily, but spend in His way with integrity and honesty--by pouring into and serving others. God desires that we give generously of ourselves also (our time and service)--not just our money! God desires that we don't withhold what He has poured, is pouring, and will pour into us, for our service to Him and His people. We have been chosen to be Servant Leaders, not "Chump Leaders" or "Lip-Servers," but to be "Drum Majors," for justice, peace, & righteousness. This is why we are out front not for our sake, but for God's salvation, mercy, and grace working in and through us for the benefit of not only ourselves but more importantly others! In my humble estimation, that is the greatest example of a "Cheerful Giver," Jesus The Messiah was that kind of giver; He asked us "Will you lay down your life for the sheep, or will you run when the wolf comes?" Sow you seeds in good work, and surely you will "Super-Abound!" -Peace Be With You, Bro. Lamon

*Original written 2/9/2013
*Updated 6/8/2013

A friend asked me a question do we tithe from our gross pay or net pay?

My response was growth, but more importantly tithe from your heart. It's not about a % with God.

Note: Scripture makes a case for both, but it depends on how one interprets it in Deuteronomy. Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace University says it this way "It (Deuteronomy) says to tithe on your net increase. If you think about an agrarian culture where that was written, if you had a flock of sheep and one was killed by a wolf but you had 11 new lambs, then you had an increase of 10. You would tithe on that. You can make a really good case for it biblically either way. I'm not going to argue about it. It doesn't matter. Just give and be a giver. It's about changing your spirit anyway."

Scriptural Study:

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. -Duet15:10 NIV

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. -1 Chr 29:17 NIV

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.-Proverbs 11:25 NIV

But this, “Whoever sows frugally also reaps frugally, and whoever sows with bounty shall reap with bounty”; Every man according to what he is in his mind and not according to grief or of compulsion, for God loves the joyful giver. But God is able to multiply every favor toward you that you may always have whatever is sufficient for you in all things and that you may super abound in every good work, According to what is written: “He has dispersed and he has given to the poor, and his righteousness stands for eternity.” But he who gives seed to the sower and bread for food, he shall give and multiply your seed and increase the fruit of your righteousness, That you may be enriched in all things with the entire right of an heir- that which perfects thanksgiving to God by us. -2 Cor 9:6-10 Aramaic Bible in Plain English

And spend in the way of Allah (God) and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah (God) loves the doers of good. -Holy Qur'an 2:195

They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah (God) surely knows it. -2:215

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah (God) is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah (God) multiplies (further) for whom He pleases. And Allah (God) is Ample-giving, Knowing. (As for) those who spend their property in the way of Allah (God), then do not follow up what they have spent with reproach or injury, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. -2:261-262