Thursday Thought 3/19/20206 - Tithing vs. Giving

There has always been an uncomfortable place in the church, at least for most churches, the tithing / giving scenario.  It sounds sort of like a secret mission given to a super spy in which they need to figure out how this works.  And I think we sometimes look at it that way too.  What is it, and why is it, and what is the difference.

As a pastor, most people think that the tithe, the weekly giving is for the pastor’s salary, or to keep the doors open, pay the utilities of the church.  That is part of it.  But only a portion.

There are great verses in the Bible that pertain to this all, and I bet you have heard them all if you have attended a church service…

Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need".

Proverbs 3:9 (NIV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops".

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV): "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver".

Deuteronomy 14:22 (NIV): "Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year".

Luke 6:38 (NKJV): "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom...".

These are excellent verses, and they give us such a great base line for tithing – They instruct us, they give us direction and wisdom into why God asks us to give Him our treasures.  Because there lie our hearts!

And so you go to church, or you hear it online and they talk about tithing / giving.  And what you hear is “…the church is talking about money again…” and I tell you, that is what you are hearing because that is where your heart is.

It is not in a place where you hear God saying “…trust me…” you are hearing, “I have to give away my hard-earned money”.  Guess what?  It’s not yours.  If you are a Christ follower, that money – is God’s.  Your house, your car, your children and grandchildren.  Your spouse, your family and friends, even who you are, or your time – they are all God’s.

Tithe isn’t just about money.  It’s about your treasure.  What or who is your treasure?  That is what you need to give to God.

So, when we tithe, we are just giving to God what is already God’s.  He gave it to us to steward and shape to help His kingdom grow on earth.  But it’s His.

I have been asked the question lately what the difference between tithe and giving is.  And there are huge sweeping philosophical answers that take large reams of paper and background materials to explain – and if you are looking for that, you can find it on Dave Ramsey’s website, or just google it… But I have a simpler take on it.

Tithe is what God instructs us to do.  He gives us this rule to ensure that we keep entering into relationship with Him.  He wants to give us steps so that we can keep an ongoing discussion with Him.  Tithe is a law; Tithe is my honor to my King.

Giving is what I want to give from my heart because I want to honor Him even more!  It is freely given from my heart to show purpose to what I feel God is doing either at my church, in a mission field, or by someone in particular.  Giving is my freewill.  Giving is my choice.  Giving is above and beyond.  Giving is a blessing because I’ve been blessed.  Giving is one of my forms of worship to my Savior.

Don’t look at it as you are losing your hard-earned money.  Look at it as, you earned this for God, and you GET to GIVE it to HIM!!  You GET to HONOR HIM.  You GET to RELATE with HIM!  It’s a blessing to tithe and to give.  Look at it as such.  You will be blessed!

Peace,

PTV

Thursday Thought 3/5/2026 - Things we go through that others do not see

I feel like there is a theme that my blogs have taken in the last few weeks.  They seem to go towards the more somber, or melancholy.  I do not feel depressed, but I think a clinical psychologist would say that I may have some repressed feelings towards a downward spiral.  Let’s just say that I am thinking about many things, and there are things on my mind that we all think about.

Unfortunately for many, when things are anxious or stressful their health suffers too.  It can be quite serious, and I do pray that those who struggle with this find peace and health through those occasions.

I got a text from someone that brought up 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV.  It states, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

The reminder here is simple.  When Paul wrote this to Timothy, he was not in a place of comfort or peace.  Most scholars place it A.D. 66, or shortly after Paul's release from prison in Rome.  Paul probably wasn’t in the best of health, or in the best place mentally either.

And Paul’s “the good fight” is to remain faithful, to remain faithful even when it would be easier to walk away.  And Paul was very familiar with this type of action.  Remember, Paul was a Roman who used to persecute Christians, hunt them down and have them arrested.  Now he is preaching to them, instructing them, even rebuking them.  You must wonder if Paul suffered from the resentment that was pointed his way.  You must wonder how the constant pressure of opposition against a message that called him to deliver was pushed back not only by unbelievers, whom you would think would take opposed views.  But also, the Christians who knew Paul’s background and thought, “what does this guy know?”

This message reminded me that our fights might look similar.  Maybe your good fight is simply the decision to show up again tomorrow.  To face the day in and day out pressure of being who Christ calls you to be.  Maybe it is just praying, so that you can trust Him with things that are completely out of your control.

The reminder is this; The good fight is rarely loud.  It is usually the daily, steady, and often unseen perseverance of the faithful to the Lord. 

So, keep fighting.  Keep persevering.  Not for the recognition.  Not for the accolades.  But because faithfulness matters.  Because faithfulness defines us, and faithfulness creates in us a renewed heart.

Peace,

PTV

Thursday Thought 2/26/2026 - Too much or not enough?

I’ve been pondering why I write this blog.  I think it mostly is a challenge to myself to have some type of log or record of things going on; however, I really don’t include much from what happens weekly or even daily.

It feels like there is too much to say.  And then it feels like there really is not enough to even put down on paper.  Isn’t that a paradox.

I mean there are things happening in our lives every day, big, meaningful, eventful things that can shape how you feel for days, and then you look at it and think “why would anyone want to know that?”.  I don’t know, maybe I am just looking for an easy way out and think that might be to write a whole blog on why I have nothing to say.

Days can blend into days; doing work, staying busy with daily activities, just getting ready for an upcoming event can fill our time.  Interestingly enough, the Bible does say a few things about our daily lives:

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV): "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil".

Psalm 90:12 (NIV): "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom".

Colossians 4:5 (NIV): "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity".

I find it interesting that these verses, along a very similar topic, are in quite different parts or events of the Bible. 

In Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church of Ephesus, during a time most scholars believe he is imprisoned in Rome.  Here is a guy who is sitting in jail, probably not a cell with a bed or running water, saying “be careful how you live”.  Kind of convicting.

Psalm 90, widely attributed to be written by Moses, is considered the oldest Psalm in the Bible.  I find it rather comforting to know that even in those times of the Israelites searching for where God was going to guide them, that there was instruction given to how we consider our days.

And then in Colossians, in a period of time where Paul is disciplining Timothy, he considers that each moment we have, we need to invite others to know Christ.  That we need to be mindful of how we appear and how we act.  Again, it’s quite convicting.

So as I consider how I am spending my days, I ask God to reveal to me – based on these 3 scriptures, how are my days going, and am I fulfilling what He has asked of me?

Peace,

PTV

Thursday Thought 2/19/2026 – Hard Things

This past week has been a very hard week.  And lately it seems like that happens quite often.  I am not naïve enough to think that it is all happening to me, rather that I may be allowing it to happen, and / or I have a hand in it occurring. I also know that the evil one doesn’t like it when we are seeking God, and does everything he can do to distract, cause chaos, and confuse anyone who is trying to seek The Father.

In the church world we open ourselves up to people.  We try to be the best version of ourselves that we can be – and yet we are not perfect.  But if we are truly seeking God, there will be evidence of fruit to be seen.  And this will not satisfy everyone, but it will satisfy God if we are continually seeking Him, and asking for wisdom, and following His lead.

I can’t help but think that things will never be good enough. But then we live in a broken world, don’t we.

I had a friend share a prayer with me that really gave me hope and also made me feel God’s watch care over any going through hardship right now…

“I pray that in this season, you will be able to really hunker down in the truths of the gospel: that since God is your defense, you haven’t any reason to be defensive; since Christ is the source of your righteousness, you need not fear recourse in the moments where repentance is required; as one who is justified through Christ, you need not fear the venomous deceit of the unjust. I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring a clarity and that pure hearted, Holy Spirit strength revitalizes as a holy and mighty force in the kingdom of God.”  (used with permission by writer)

Let God be your hope and your rest.  When it feels like rest is fleeting, let Him fill you.

Peace,

PTV