Segmented Spirituality

"From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:16)

    By now you've probably seen a photo of the bill left for a patron at a restaurant. Apparently the patron of this restaurant was in a dinner party of at least five people.  The restaurant has a policy that any dinner party five or more is automatically charged an 18 % tip.  Instead of getting her 18% the waitress found the bill with this written on it "God gets 10% of my money. Why should you get 18?" it was signed, "A Pastor"

   I have no interest in beating down a colleague in the ministry.  and I certainly don't know what his (I'm assuming its a he)  financial status is. He may not make much money. Most clergy don't. I don't know what his family status is either.  And I've certainly made enough mistakes in my life to know I have no right to point fingers at anyone else.

  That disclaimer being made, it would at least appear that this pastor is guilty of something we all are guilty of at times.  Segmenting our spirituality.  When poled most people, certainly most Christians, would label themselves as "spiritual people". But rarely does that spirituality, or their faith effect how they live day to day.  Mind you faith has its place and purpose. Just not in my day to day decisions.

  The pastor was referring to his tithe he gives to the church. "God gets 10% of my money." But that's not exactly a Biblical understanding. Biblically we understand that everything we have is a gracious gift from God and that we are to use all of it to glorify Him. He asks that we use 10% to glorify Him through the church. But what about the rest? If it all comes from God should we not assume that its all to be sued to glorify Him? And wouldn't one of those ways be to be gracious to a waitress at a restaurant? 

   But as I said before we are too quick to point a finger at the pastor, aren't we all guilty of this? We tithe our time to God. We give Him an hour (sometimes even two) on Sunday morning. Maybe another hour in the week. And the rest of it is ours to do what we wish. Or is it? In truth while God does want us in worship and fellowship with Him through the body of Christ, He expects us to glorify Him with all of our lives.  Let me say that again. All of our lives.

  Consider how different your life would be if that were your mindset. Not making any decisions at work or taking any actions that don't glorify the lord. Not engaging in any activity or participating in a conversation with  friends that doesn't glorify Him.  Seeing ones relationships not a as place where we are to be pleased but as opportunities to glorify God?

  Am I saying we all must become pious "holy rollers"? Well, not but I wonder if that would be so bad.  No, glorifying God doesn't mean using His name in every other sentence.  Rather it's about developing a state of mind where we ask ourselves, "Would what I am doing bring honor to Jesus?" 

  Why not try it this week? Just for a week try not segmenting your spirituality. Turn all of your life over to God, attempt to glorify Him in all that you do.  My hunch is you won't want to stop. You'll find yourself happier, more joyful, more at peace.  You'll feel as if you did something that really mattered. He has given us so many gifts in His graciousness. What have you given Him?

In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><