It is also the only place where God says "Test me!" I don't believe in preaching constantly on money, but an occasional sermon to remind us of God's promises to those that chose to obey Him is appropriate.
I know I'm late on this but on the OP topic...we just signed up for AWANA tonight and it cost $11 for the book for cubbies as my son is a second year cubbie he did not need a vest or bag. The way the place we go to does it is they collect dues every week. It is a dollar a week. That seems to make it very affordable for everyone. Its a pretty successful group. I don't mind paying for it - as somebody produced the materials and my kids are gaining tons from it. Its an educational program as far as I'm concerned, whereas, for me, youth group was more of a social club with an occasional sermon...just my experience and 2 cents.
If we follow the principle of tithing as defined in the OT, some would be paying over 50 percent and others would be paying hardly anything. The whole idea of 'tithe', IMHO, is legalistic - as if a 10% tip to God is good enough and we get to keep the rest! Everything we have - money, time, breath - belongs to God. It's reckless to give 10% of our income when we're heavily in debt, and it betrays a selfish heart when we give only 10% when much of our income is not needed. Whether we believe in tithing or not, though, it should be a matter of the heart - not something that's expected, let alone demanded, by a local church.
While I agree, Steve, that it's a matter of the heart, I also believe that it "opens up the doors of heaven". I believe that 10% is the "required" amount set in the Bible. There are those who give less, and God knows their hearts. I've no doubt that giving less with the proper attitude is more important to Him than those who give lots more with a lousy attitude. But even in our mission church, where so many have little to nothing, the pastor preaches tithing. And even those with nothing chose to tithe. That's why our pastor would never look in disdain at even a handful of pennies in the offering.
By "basic formula", I meant rudimentary. I don't think you can get around God telling us to give a tenth (not just money) and to test Him on it. It makes no sense to me how that could possibly mean "if you are able". You aren't able because you are not giving from your heart what God asks of you. Ten percent is a starting place. Now we are expected to make anything we have available to others. My friends refer to this as "God's economy". If someone has a need and I can fill it, I need to give it and trust that when I actually have need of it, God will provide it. I have found this to be true at all times.
Us, too, Brooke. We are tithers, and we also give more as we are able. I've always been taught that you can't bring an "offering" unless you've also tithed first. Anything more than the tithe is an offering. We've found that we've never hurt because of giving the tithe, because God has always provided - right on time - what we needed. He's sometimes early, but never late. A couple of times, money has just "appeared" -- like once I was in WalMart, and this lady we know slightly just walked up and handed me $100 because she knew what we were trying to do with the school. Another time somebody else just put $50 in my hand. Just because. (???!!!) Another time somebody offered to buy something we weren't using but had not offered for sale in any way - just knew we had it and offered to buy it. God's by far not a money machine or a Santa Claus, but He does provide our needs... when we need it.
