Community Christian Church

It's Over! Actually, It's Just Beginning...

Monday, 29 September 2008 11:38

We’re done.  The 10 weeks is over.  If you had anything near the experience we’ve had, then you are blessed.  It has been an eye opening, thought provoking, conversation starting experience.  Uncomfortable at times, hugs not with standing – we’re talking about MONEY out loud after all, - and giving it away and our struggles with that.  That’s not easy to talk about.

But I truly feel like these past 10 weeks have been a big turning point in our house, on our own journey with Christ.  It’s definitely been a turning point for me and Mary (mainly me), but I believe for our kids, too, as they’ve been involved in and listened to our discussions about this tithing business. 

Mary and I went from giving some every year to contributing more than I would have ever imagined to the NEXT campaign, to giving to C412, to beginning to give more regularly this year, to sharing our life story, to tithing - actually tithing - while still giving to the other ministries we’re interested in.  All this while still being able to eat, clothe ourselves (thank goodness), house our family, etc.  Amazing!  Who would have thought it possible?!?  Other parts of my/our journey that have led up to this have been serving with First Impressions (see Mary or Amy Watt if you’d like to join), working with C412, journaling, joining a small group (I’m not kidding when I say that journaling and the small group deal still make me shake my head in disbelief), and now being an apprentice leader (even more disbelief).  That just leaves one other journey I’ve mentioned and I’m still working through the baptism deal.  It’s the public aspect that gets me, but we’ll get there.  It’ll happen one Saturday night, I’m sure.  There will be other journeys, but I need to concentrate on these for now. 

While I’ve rambled on (some would say whined, but I find that a little harsh) every 2 weeks or so about how this is different for me, or hard for me, it really has been quite an experience.  On a personal level, I’ve made my wife happy (happier!?).  I give her all the credit in the world for the way she has handled this aspect of our lives the last 20 years.  Reversing positions, I would not have had the patience and understanding that she has had with me.  I’m honoring my commitment to God.  I’m doing what is asked of me (Proverbs 3:9).  And let’s be honest – not a whole lot is asked of us.  Also, we as a family have been very blessed and I want us to live up to what is expected (Luke 12:48).   I’m also supposed to be the head of the house, and that doesn’t mean the loudest yeller, though my children may disagree.  While I think I’ve done ok in leading by example these past 16 years, these last 2 years and these past 10 weeks, I feel I have been stepping up to the plate.  I don’t mean the “head of the house” in a chauvinistic, sexist way, old school way, because I look at Mary and me as a team, as one (hug her and you’ve hugged me).  Studies show that if the male in the house goes to church, gives of their time, donates, etc., then the chances of the children following those steps are greater.  And that’s something we all want, isn’t it?  Hopefully we’re accomplishing that.  One last point is that we’ve also been able to do this while still keeping our commitments to other ministries with Community.  That’s VERY important to us, too.  It means a lot to us to tithe, yet still be generous by giving to the other ministries (Proverbs 11:24-25).

This is just the beginning.  I/We need to keep it going.  Now that the “Challenge” is over, and I don’t have to write about it and air my issues, I feel like I lose some of my accountability.  I’m sure Mary will step up to the plate to take that role over.  There’s still a quarter to go in 2008.  Thanksgiving, Christmas and what seems like every birthday in both our families is coming up (Mary’s is October 7.  She loves birthdays.  She’ll take a hug.  She celebrates her birthday for a week, so hug her on the 4th or 11th).  I’m sure there will be some financial challenges during those 3 months.  And then, there’s 2009 and beyond.  The idea is that this becomes second nature.  And it has, to some extent.  But there will be issues, challenges, temptations to delay this week’s payment, unexpected bills, etc.  You need to pray and trust that God will provide and everything will work out in the end (Malachi 3:10).  Maybe it won’t work out the way you envision.  I certainly did NOT envision the amount of money we would contribute this year.  But we have, and it has worked out.  I really need to get past looking at this whole thing logically and to just give.  However, we are human, it is money, and it does have some sort of hold in some way shape or form on most of us. 

But I’ll tell you what, this tithing journey has opened my mind, eyes and heart.  While I plan to stay on this path, what I want and pray for is to be able to exhibit the kind of faith and trust shown by the others that have been contributing to these posts.  Jeff and Kathy with Jeff working his way towards 10% and sharing it with everyone and Kathy helping him every step of the way.  Tracy and Deb sharing their struggles but still maintaining their tithing and then some.  Mark and Janie and the issues they faced financially in their marriage while they kept the faith and kept giving.  Amber and Rudy looking at the 10% tithing number as a floor to their giving, not a ceiling.  Julie Bullock going on a shopping fast and giving 40% or so of her income to the Lord.  Those are some powerful and inspiring stories.  Everyone’s posts helped and inspired me in some way.  They give me a target to aim for and they tell me that I am not alone in my doubts and struggles when it comes to money and parting with it. 

If you’ve done the Challenge for the past 10 weeks, keep praying, trusting and giving.  It’s not easy, but it can be done.  That’s what you’ve shown yourself the last two and a half months.  If you didn’t do the Challenge, keep praying about it.  I will continue to pray to God to give me the eyes to see his vision and the heart to make it happen. I still need that, especially the heart part, to keep this going. You can do your own Challenge at any time.  You can start this week.  You can start now.  There’s no time like the present!  That’s what they keep telling me about baptism, too!  See you on Saturdays.

- Doug