Want To vs. Have To: Discovering the Joy of Giving
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
Because we’re adults, we think we’re pretty responsible. We have ourselves convinced that by and large we do the “right thing.” But sub-consciously we’re still governed by what I call the “want to vs. have to” principle.
What’s that supposed to mean?
Given the option, we try to order our lives so as to do more of those things that make us feel good, and less of the things that make us feel bad. In conversation we say, “I want to” about the good things and, “I have to” about the bad. When we say “I want to,” we’re really anticipating the desirable results of our action whereas, “I have to” anticipates action where results are either undesirable or unclear. (Example: “I want to play golf, but I have to do my taxes.”)
Our happiness is affected by the proportion of want to’s to have to’s in our life. More want to’s equals greater happiness and vice versa. Funny how when we lose sight of the desired result, or when it has lost it’s meaning for us, even those want to’s we formerly enjoyed doing will become have to’s.
I’m glad Someone Understands
The Lord understood this principle (naturally) when He established the law of tithing. In three passages from Deuteronomy, He explained this law, commanding the people to put aside one tenth of their production for Him. (Deut. 8:6-18, 12:4-7, 14:22-29)
They were to take the Lord’s tenth (tithe) to Jerusalem each fall after the harvest and use it for a big feast to celebrate the Lord’s blessings upon them.
The reason He commanded them to separate the tithe was that He wanted to remind them it was His. Also if He hadn’t required them to do so, most wouldn’t have set anything aside for the feast. It would all have been absorbed into their living costs and they would have missed out on the celebration.
What about the Starving Kids in India?
Every third year, instead of celebrating they gave the tithe to the priests in their city to help the poor and indigent, first within the community and then from among their visitors. There was always enough to last until the next contribution three years later.
What’s the Big Idea?
Obviously, the Lord didn’t need their money. He only wanted them to remember Who had blessed them. By celebrating, they were reminded. Further, He commanded that the celebration be at His house, not theirs, so they wouldn’t start thinking they had created their own blessings.
The Origin of Thanksgiving
Each fall in Jerusalem the Lord hosted a national celebration with His people coming from all over. The aroma of delicious foods cooking over open fires permeated the whole city. For seven days where ever you went there was an air of joy and festivity as the people remembered their Provider and gave thanks.
Because it felt good to obey, they learned the joy of giving. When it came time to donate the tithe to the poor, they did so with a generous spirit, knowing that they were giving away the Lord’s share not theirs. (It’s always easier to be generous with some one else’s money.) Because each community helped its own poor directly everyone got the help they needed, and the people could see the effect of their generosity.
What About Now?
Contrast that with the way of giving today. We no longer believe that one tenth is the Lord’s and we no longer credit Him for our blessings. We think we’re being asked for some of our own money, and we’re not clear about the benefit. We’re told that the Lord’s work will be hindered without our help. He’s portrayed as a cash poor beggar in some circles and as an inflexible creditor in others.
This approach makes us feel bad, so we want less of it. We resent being made to feel guilty so we give only as much as is necessary to ease our guilt. “I want to” has become “I have to.” No wonder the joy has gone from our giving.
Some “religious” groups require 10% of their members’ income and conduct periodic audits to make sure they’re getting it all. Some even teach that tithing is evidence of salvation. It’s the most glaring example of man’s religion working at cross-purposes with the intent of God’s laws.
A Blessing or a Curse?
Today, tithing is thought by many to be a curse for believing rather than a celebration for blessing. They go around looking for a church that doesn’t talk about money all the time. Because they never learn the true purpose of their giving, they are deprived of the blessings of abundance the Lord promises to those who “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” For its part, the church merely survives when it should thrive. (The church would actually receive more income doing things the Lord’s way)
And perhaps most sadly, those in need don’t receive the help from the church they could otherwise have … help that could have come in the name of the Lord, and perhaps prompted a life change in the heart of the recipient. Satan wins again.
