The Why Factor

As I move forward this season, I have learned that why we do what we do is just as important as our actions. There is no right way to do the wrong thing and obedience to God is of utmost importance in my life. Through much of my journey I have found myself doing good deeds, but not always for the right reasons. I have learned the meaning of obedience is better than sacrifice, and my obedience to God must be a priority. Through much of my spiritual journey I have relied on a minister or preacher to lead me in obedience to God, but there are a lot of life lessons that are not covered in a 30 minute sermon. My mom always told me growing up that I had to get to know God for myself. Sometimes my personal faith conflicts with what I've been taught and it confuses me, so I'm learning to study consistently and strengthen my understanding of my faith. Throughout our marriage my husband has stayed on me about taking time out to read my Bible and get an understanding of the Word. In times past, I read the Bible and obtained head knowledge but I didn't always study it for understanding. At Xavier I took three theology courses with plans to minor in theology: Intro to Theology, Biblical Studies, and Pauline Correspondence. My Biblical Studies teacher even co-wrote The Bible for Dummies. In these classes I learned how to really study the Bible historically, textually, and theologically. I also learned how to study the Bible for revelation. This has become very valuable to me as I grow older and experience more real life situations. There are a lot of things that preachers say that I know are not true or they leave out a whole lot of important and valuable information for the sake of time. Even though it may sound good, I've just learned to filter it focusing on the good parts, but those that may follow me may not understand why I do what I do being mislead by lack of communication. Accountability to those that follow me or watch me is something I pray God leads me to grow in consistently and continuously. Some things we learn in and out of church are traditional and have no Biblical foundation. It's kind of like Christmas. I now know that Christmas is not Jesus' birthday. Theologians argue over what season He was born in, but He definitely wasn't born in winter. Even though I have this knowledge, it doesn't stop me from celebrating this holiday with family, friends, and loved ones, giving to those in need, or lead me to kill the mood for everyone else. It does however lead me to celebrate His birth and death everyday in prayer and worship. Or take tithing for instance, yes I pay tithes to support my local church or whatever church I'm attending. But I now know that under the new covenant it's really not required in the way that some try to force people to give. Yes it's better to give than to receive but one must give freely from the heart for it to be pleasing to God, and we reap whatever we sow freely. I don't give because a preacher told or asked me to or their message makes me feel like I'm gonna lose everything if I don't. Their is a business and marketing side to church that a lot of people don't realize. Sometimes God speaks through people, but His spirit within me confirms what I hear. There are times when God tells me to give more,less, or 10%, and in those times I listen. Sometimes God tells me to give a love gift to a minister. There are times when God tells me to give to a person or organization that is not a church. When he tells me specifically to give I do. Jesus did come to fulfill the law and as He grows in us we will freely give as much as we can without being limited by the law.The Law was given as a guideline until Jesus came so we can now live by grace. Some argue about Abraham giving a tenth but he gave a tenth of spoils of war not from his own regular monthly income. Bottom line, tithing in any sense other than it's in your heart to give and a personal commitment between you and God is following a church tradition. As our faith grows My husband and I find that because we allow God to lead us in our giving, we have grown to where we now give a lot more than 10%. Why? Not because it's a requirement, but because it's in our hearts to give even though we don't have much. In this case like in so many other cases in our lives, the "Why Factor" is so important.