Tithing...it is such an important part of life. God has given us all many blessings and it is our responsibility to give back to God. Tithing does not necessarily have to be given to a specific church, but it should be to a church or organization that is honoring God and preaching the gospel. Our tithe money comes out immediately after we get paid...like we never had the money to spend in the first place. I spread my tithe amount over several places for various reasons.
I tithe to my church. Not only does tithing help to keep the church running financially, but it also helps the church to be able to provide for the needs of the community (our neighbors nearby and around the world). Anyone who knows me knows that I love my church. It is a small church which was a refreshing change for me. It has the most accepting group of people from all walks of life that I have ever encountered. There are people in the church who truly will do anything to help in any situation. I have met some amazing people and some lifelong friends in our church.
We give part of our tithe to help support children who need sponsors from World Vision. While some people are against 'large organizations' because you cannot guarantee that all of your money is going where it should, I believe that World Vision is doing a good thing around the world. We first had a little guy named Nebba and now we have a little one named Augustus. We love getting their pictures, letters, and drawings in the mail!
I also give a portion of my tithe to Spirit FM. I first listened to them when I was in Lynchburg at Liberty University. This radio station has really helped me grow in my faith by listening to Christian music. To be honest, "Christian" pop music used to drive me insane when I was in middle school and some of high school. There are a bunch of great new artists and I love hearing them on the radio these days:) Tithing to them helps to support their radio station so that people from all walks of life can tune in and hear about God.
Grassroots Heroes is a small non-profit that was started by some people in our church. They came across this squatters village, Grippes Farm, in Zambia, Africa. After seeing the village, they knew they needed to do something about it. We have seen tremendous change in this village since this project all started. They now have wells for clean water, schools for education of the children and adults, trade classes (i.e. sewing, farming) to help with their ability to earn money on their own, and bible studies to teach the Word of God. My dad and I took a trip to Grippes in July 2011. It was the most life-changing trip I have ever been on and I yearn to be back there every day. The people of Africa definitely have my heart!
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| Our team that went July 2011 |
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| Some of the students welcoming us through song in one of their classrooms |
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| Five of the teachers that have amazing stories and true dedication to teach these children |
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| One of the men has taken up rabbit farming to make money |
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| The school kitchen where dedicated moms cook lunch for the students |
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| One of the new school buildings |
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| Two of the children we sponsor |
The money given to GHI to help support Grippes is used in many ways...some of them include:
- paying for students' education and lunch ($15 a month for one child)
- support kids from Grippes who have made it to secondary school with the government ($50 a month for books, uniform, and education)
- teacher salaries (some of these teachers walk over an hour one-way to support this village)
- adult education classes
- trade classes
- specific needs (i.e. new roof, new sewing machine)
Check out any of the above websites for more information about the organizations. Let me know if you have questions:)
"Give,and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap" (Luke 6:38).
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done" (Proverbs 19:17).
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:7).
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God" (II Corinthians 9:8-12).
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