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IS YOUR LIFE A TITHE OR A WILLING, LIVING SACRIFICE?

This is not about money.  Usually as soon as people hear the word tithe, they groan and turn a deaf ear.  No, this is about so much more—your life.

The other day at work while shoveling snow for our customers I was thinking about how tired my muscles were.  They were burning and had that tingling sensation you experience when you're running a race.  That feeling when your arms and legs feel like gelatin and you think you can't go another step.  At that moment you face a choice—stop—when it starts to hurt, OR, square your shoulders, push through, and despite the pain—make the sacrifice.

I pushed through and within minutes—instead of feeling faint—I felt accomplishment and a renewed surge of energy.  It was almost exhilarating.  But this kind of feeling and choices surround us everyday and in countless situations of ordinary life.

In your life do you tithe, or sacrifice?  A tithe is good and accomplishes some, but a sacrifice really hurts and you really have to dig deep within to push forward and accomplish the greater goal.

Barry and I have learned that the sacrifice of life is rewarding indeed.  Do you give until it hurts?  Do you give even if it is inconvenient or takes you out of your comfort zone?

Barry and I have dedicated our home and lives to His Service and we feel privileged that Christ allows us to live in corners of the house.  There have been times when the need of a family far surpasses our need for the same item.  We've given away our own personal pieces of furniture and items because we gauged someone's need as greater than us holding onto our couch(es), spare beds, etc.

Some words of wisdom and encouragement from Romans 12 from the Amplified Version read as follows:

Romans 12:1,6-8,11

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is our reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.  Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: 

• (He whose gift is) prophesy (let him prophesy) according to the proportion of his faith;

• (he whose gift is) practical service, let him give himself to serving;

• he who teaches, to his teaching;

• he who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation;

• he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality;

• he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind;

• he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

So today will your life be a tithe or a willing, living sacrifice?  The choice is yours.