The Science of “Giving and Receiving”

Dearest Mama,

I heard that there is revolution going on in our Village. How come? Is it true the women are accusing the women of holding back, and not giving them their portions of desks when they (the men) headed the revolution?

Well, please ask Kartomo to send me pictures depicting the latest strike so that I can use my microscope to dissect the images and information for my next letter.
Wow, wow. This issue of Giving and Receiving has a long history. In politics, countries give aid for what… say it, don’t be afraid…. Ok. Countries do give aid for several reasons. Some countries give aid for humanitarian purpose, but many aid are given for different political, economic and calculated reasons that benefit the donor countries.

Giving and Receiving is a way to prosperity, and can be established or verified in Science, Politics, Marital homes, and the list goes on. Recently, I jotted down notes on the Giving and Receiving in Religious and Science. It was hilarious; it was interesting, and a real performance in church. Bishop Darlingston Johnson again took the stage, delving in the topic, Giving and Receiving, a subtopic of the general theme he has been discussing. In his sermon, Bishop Johnson quoted few verses, including Proverbs, 3: 9-10, and Malachi 1:11,

Bishop encouraged members of the audience to consider tithing an important aspect of growing spiritually, and opening the vessel of God’s blessings. That is, when we obey the Law of Tithing we are blessed. The Law of tithing requires obedience in paying it faithfully. This means that we shouldn't resent paying our tithe, and be;ievers must desist from murmuring and grumbling about paying tithe.

As Bishop Johnson progressed in his sermon, he started drawing from other subjects on Giving and Receiving. As I reflected on tithing and receiving God’s blessings, I was anxious to have the subject at my finger tip. In my own life, and from spiritual point of view, tithing is a healthy practice. As Bishop said, we get blessings from God, it is therefore important to demonstrate our faith by paying our tithe to allow God’s blessings to continue to flow. As Bishop said, God is not going to stop blessing us if we disobey him, but we receive God’s blessings by obeying His laws and when we obey His laws there are blessings that go with it. We must also remember that God’s blessings are not always what we expect; they can be worldly materials, and also spiritual blessings or both.

Drawing from science and other core subjects, Bishop illustrated his teaching on tithing by correlated tithing with our bodies. He said if our bodies do not release waste, we can not adequately take in food. Moreover, when we are constipated, we become unhealthy, and toxic. Do you want to visualize that? Go ahead!

Bishop went on in other areas to exemplify the importance of tithing. “Do I have to tithe,” he asked? “No,” he responded, adding, “Tithing is a privilege, it is not a liability.” In the same way, he continued, “You don’t have to drive on the right side of the street,” but there is a consequence for doing the opposite. As the audience burst into laughters, Bishop Johnson explained that there are many things we don’t have to do, but if we refuse to do those things, we live with the consequences: “You don’t have to pay taxes, you don’t have to brush your teeth, you don’t have to wear clothes, you don’t have to do any of the those things if you are willing to bear the consequences.”

He then underscored some of the ramifications for neglecting to adhere to basic hygiene rules: If you don’t brush your teeth, or take bath, your chances of getting job are slim. And if you come to church, people will find a way to sit far from you. People are not judgmental when they stay far from you. That is just the consequence of your action- your refusal to take bath, and refusal to brush your teeth. In the same vein, “You don’t have to tithe, you get to tithe,” he added. When you tithe, you steer God to control, and what God controls, God blesses, and what God bless, multiply. Wow, isn’t that great.

Bishop Johnson said, “I [pointing to him self] am not willing to live with the consequences of loving God less.” He said, if we refuse to pay their tithe, God will not love them less, God will remain big, but they we will remain small.

He said that the more he [Bishop] learned of God’s faithfulness, he recognized the importance of tithing. He said without tithing can inhibit one’s faith, and result to increase in struggles, in almost all areas of one’s life.

Bishop Johnson explained that tithing helps believers develop the discipline to rise above selfishness, to become rich in faith, and experience personal blessings.

As I read about Tithing, I was moved by the personal stories and testimonies on the subject.

Permit me to share one of my favorite songs, the prayer of St. Francis, which also speaks about tithing: Giving and Receiving in its third stanza:

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Mama, I want to continue tithing so that God can be in control of my everything. I know when he is in control, he blesses, and what he blesses, multiply.

I wait to hear from you and the folks in the village.

always,
musue