Tithing to Pearls

Everyone needs a little encouragement. A kind word here and there is lovely but it’s even better to put your money where your mouth is. I’ll admit, I am guilty of giving platitudes with little thought behind them to someone in need. I’ll be praying for you. You are doing a great job. I believe in you. These are terrific sentiments and certainly well worth saying. But sometimes I feel in my heart the need to go further. I want to do something tangible.

One of the disciplines of a spiritual life is to tithe your earnings. That is to give the first fruits (or ten percent of the money you make) to worthy causes. Usually that means writing a check to the church you attend or a national charity you support. Our family has a giving budget in place. But when I got my little part time job at a yarn shop I decided to do something more with my ten percent. I wanted to encourage women with financial help. I listened for opportunities to make a difference.

A dear friend told me about how her daughter wanted to go on the youth group mission trip to Mexico. I got excited when I realized I could help. It would take six months for her to save up for the trip. I wrote her a note asking if I could support her goal. I explained I wanted to give her a little money every month. She agreed. It was a blessing to us both. I sent her a note of encouragement along with each check. And after the trip was paid for I kept my ears open for other women in need.

Opportunity came again when one of the young women in my knit circle decided to go back to night school and become an EMT. I was inspired by her determination. It would take a lot of work for her to juggle her current job and finances. I wanted to encourage her new life path so I give her my tithe money for the entire school year. It’s been wonderful to watch her grow.

I am prayerful about how I find the women I support. I take this support as more then just money toward their goal. When I send the bi-monthly check it gives me the opportunity to encourage them with notes or verses to help them along the way.

Maybe this is a discipline you’d like to consider. The new year is the perfect time to put it into practice. Is there a pearl you’d like to encourage? A teen who needs help with school finances. Or maybe an older friend who needs help with groceries or utility bills. If you keep your ears open you are sure to find plenty of places to put the first fruits of your paycheck.