I've always been taught that we should tithe. 10% of our income. 10% of our allowance. 10% of our Christmas bonus. Always money-related, and always to the church.

But is it really the money? Is God keeping track of how much money we give to the church or to other ministries? I know the IRS is - but how about God?

God's a rich guy. He has an endless supply of money, if that's the way he chooses to operate. So why are so many ministries begging for money? Why are so many churches always hurting for cash? Seems like many of these churches or ministries are on the edge of total collapse any day now if we don't send them money.

That's why when the TV and radio guys get up in their electronic pulpits and beg for money - I'm thinking, why should I send this guy money? So he can stay on the air? It's like a hunger strike. Prisoners go on a hunger strike to protest something. That's their problem...don't feed them. Let them starve.

By the way - is it just me, or is it a weird deal that makes any human being think that by going on a hunger strike they will change the world? We'll just look like idiots. And if these people want me to send them money - because God told them it was a good thing - fine. Have God tell me the same thing and the check will be in the mail.

Am I the only one who has a problem with ministries accepting Visa and Mastercard? That way I guess we could tithe more over a long period of time and not feel the heat so much.

By the way - I heard someone say that the social security numbers and credit card numbers are soon to be the mark of the beast and electronic cash will be the same thing.

Two words - Bull. First of all, I think the mark of the beast will be a real mark...on people. Not a card or a number in your pocket. They didn't even have Visa in John's day. They had the cash-back Discover Card - but not Visa. Maybe the Visa and Mastercard stuff shouldn't bother me - but it does in a ministry setting. Not sure why.

Anyway - sorry for the rabbit trail. Tithing. Is is really the money? Could someone give their time as their tithe? Could someone give some old clothes to a needy family as a tithe? Could teaching Sunday school be considered a tithe? Should tithes be given regardless of your heart? Do you suppose Mother Theresa tithed? She gave her whole life - did she give all her money too? And why money. Why to we only (in church) tend to only think of tithes and offerings as - money.

Granted, the Bible mentions giving a 10th of your first fruits. But what if all you have is fruit and no money?

And why do we tithe? Is it to get? Or do we give because we have to? Or because we want to? Or because we'd feel guilty if we didn't? And if we tithe to get - what if God doesn't give?

Is it OK to send money as a tithe to a radio station that plays neat Christian songs? Or to a radio preacher (there are 2) that actually touches you with God's word? Could that be considered a tithe?

What if you don't have a home church - or are not members? Do tithes only count if you're a card carrying member?

What about African people - or Vietnamese or Icelanders or Brazilians. Where do they send their tithes and offerings?

What if your 'church' is a group of people who get together in a Bible study? Do you give each couple in the group a cut of your 10 percent?

What if you were raised by wolves and have never read the Bible. (That's a tough one.)

Or could it be that each person's tithe (gifts, money, charity, clothes, time) might be an individual thing - known only to God and you? I wonder.

I guess where I'm going with this is to say that tithing is not in and of itself is a bad thing. But we need to realize that we're not all white and rich and we we don't all have formal churches. There's a big world out there - with all kinds of people.

If you're going to give because you feel led of God - truly - from your heart. Not from shame or guilt . Whether you call it a tithe or offering or love gift or whatever - do it as unto the Lord, not as unto your guilt. And don't let anyone talk you into it if you don't feel it.

If your church or ministry needs to raise some money - well, bake sales, car washes, craft sales and potlucks are approved Christian methods. (When's the last time you went to a potluck and didn't find egg salad or lasagna?)(Where are the burgers? Where are the bologna sandwiches? Where's the fried Spam?)

Hey...I know. I'll find some old un-used prayer tower somewhere, go lock myself in, and tell the world that God told me personally that I needed people to give me $8 million in tithes and offerings or God would turn me into toast.

Nah...already been done.