Greetings my friends. It is Sunday February 15TH 2026, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.
It’s Anniversary Week. I selected my current dream home in my dream neighborhood in my dream part of Florida exactly 3 years ago. It was the 5TH of 5 identical condos I looked at, and the nicest one of them all – fully furnished. I made a purchase offer on it, and it was immediately accepted. I moved in a month later, and my life began anew here in Sebring Florida. Thanks be to God for leading me here.
I was recently asked about tithes and offerings. I’ve been tithing for 19 years now – ever since the beginning of my 8-year stay at my first home church. I learned early on how important it is to tithe if you indeed call a church your home church, and you trust what they are doing financially.
At my first church the giving of tithes and offerings was an important part of every service. Its importance was specifically explained for a few minutes from the stage (often by myself), and then we passed around popcorn buckets (at the movie theatre) to place our tithes and offerings in.
At my second church we passed around more traditional baskets towards the end of the service as our worship band performed “Thrive” (by Casting Crowns). I then prayed over the financial resources that were received. After a couple of years I was given the liberty by the Senior Pastor to change it to a different process. We placed a large copper bowl at the base of the altar, and the church members placed their tithes and offerings – either in an envelope or loose – into the bowl at their convenience. We never talked about it during the service. (I believe that the process has changed back since my departure.)
At my current church we also don’t talk about tithes and offerings, but every so often we mention that there are wooden boxes hanging on the wall where you can place them. We are also transparent in that we reveal the total amount of tithes and offerings in our bulletin each week.
I’ve never preached a sermon on tithes and offerings – or fundraising – or prosperity. Back in October 2022 I preached a sermon titled “Give & Take”. It was about the balancing act between giving out (blessing) and taking in (receiving). I preached this:
You know it is quite the balancing act to “Give & Take” appropriately. I like these red letters in the Gospel of Luke (6:38):
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
That verse right there is used at a lot of churches to encourage you to give financially in tithes and offerings. I myself used that verse at my previous place of worship – because I was told to. I think it’s taken out of context in that manner. I don’t believe that this verse – straight from Christ Himself (in red letters) – is about money at all. It’s about behavior.
The verse before that verse says a lot about what Christ is really talking about:
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. (6:37)
We must be gracious in how we view our neighbor. Don’t judge them. Don’t condemn them. Do forgive them. You don’t want to be judged. You don’t want to be condemned. You want to be forgiven.
Luke 6:38 continues Christ’s message on action and reaction via human interaction. When you give – you will receive. If you give kind words – you will receive kind words. If you give compassion – you will receive compassion. If you give a helping hand – you will receive a helping hand. Gladly accept what is given to you. Take it. Use it. And give back even more. That’s a “Give & Take” behavior that our God will find good and pleasing and perfect.
My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, a testimony, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord – and get closer to Him with each new day.
If you wish to learn more about the God I know – then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !
Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:
The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
All rights reserved (c) 2026 Christopher M. Day, CountUp
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