Paying... "Rent?"

I was recently in conversation with someone I know about finances and tithing. She had a thought-provoking take on tithing. Here we are, living in this world and using the resources of this earth, and as people, we tend to believe it belongs to us to use (or abuse) as we see fit. It's ours for the taking.

Or is it?

As Christians, the Lord requires of us a tithe. It's not a 'give if you like, or can afford it, or want to.' But rather, “...give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (for the full context of this verse, see Matthew 22:15-21 - I would attach a link for you, but STILL have not figured out how to do that successfully!). Now I realize this is not the main passage where we look to in understanding our command to give a percentage of our income to the Lord, but it makes me aware of how there is that which belongs to God - not to us. It brings my thoughts to the following verse:

The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1

So the ten percent of our income that we give to the Lord, our tithe, can almost be viewed in a sense as the tiny, little rent we pay to God for living on His earth. The world that belongs to Him. Is that all you ask of us, Lord, is to pay you ten percent? To live on Your earth, to behold the beauty that is in it, to strive to use it's resources wisely... I thank the Lord for a beautiful place to live, with water that runs freely and ground that produces vegetation...

What are your thoughts on this? I would love to hear them...

New Blog

I've just recently stumbled across a new blog - one that's written from way across the world. And I am amazed. Amazed at how God connects women of faith from around the globe and, having never met, can be a source of joy and encouragment.

Looking for such a blog? When you have the time, take a few moments to peruse this site:

http://debsonelife.blogspot.com/


And on that note, hubby is wondering why my blog is still entitled, "Still Learning to Live in His Love." "Aren't you living in His love?" he inquires.

Point taken.

I am living in His love. There may be much I am learning about God's love, but I am most certainly loving living in His love.