Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This Sunday we has a sermon on tithing. This can bring up some difficult feelings when people think about it as being forced to give 10% to God. We could think about it as having 90% for ourselves. However, that is really an aside. The message really had me thinking about my thoughts about my attitude surrounding my giving.
There are times I think that every fiber of my being believes that the Lord is going to continue to provide. I know that I know that God loves me and I act accordingly. In these times, being a good steward is just as important as when I let doubt creep hang around. However, the difference is the future that I cannot see is more securely rooted in the Lord. When this happens, I act confidently and step boldly into each day. Don’t think I know where my financial blessing is at that moment. However, I am more comfortable with the fact that I have absolutely no idea who everything will unfold. As I ask God to order my steps in those moments, I am firmly planted on the path he puts before me.
When my pastor spoke on tithing and the self-righteous attitude that the Pharisees had, I took a moment to think about my perspective on whatever I gave. I’m certainly not feeling self-righteous and boastful. However, I’m not giving with the knowing that God is my supply. It’s really not the act of giving that I need to question. Rather, I need to examine why I’ve let the little seed of doubt creep into my head. I’ve been in situations before where the next dollar was nowhere to be found and God delivered. I can say I am the ultimate witness. One would think with a testimony from time and time again, I would be unmovable in my financial faith. I’m not. Or really, I wasn’t. In that moment, I decided to make a change.
I am the person who plays close attention to the words I say around my financial situation. I truly believe that words have power and the most powerful words are the ones I’m telling myself inside my head. Sunday, I flipped the switch in my head. I conformed my words to the life I plan on living…and the plan starts now. Trust, I’m not broke. I have more money now and more sources of funds than I did when God blessed me before. However, I was acting as if all I have was leaving me. It’s not. More importantly, God made a way for me to have what I have and is blessing me even now and in my future.
The interesting thing about a complete positive attitude adjustment is that it frees up space in your mind for other ideas to come in place of the doubt. Some of the ideas that came to me in the minutes and hours after service have significant $$$ potential. If I remember that God is leading all of my life and I know that all things are possible. When I have that knowing, new possibilities exist.
This is true for me and you. Check your giving attitude. A change just might free you and give comfort in your current and growing abundance.
