Dear Rich Dreams,

I have purchased your book and have enjoyed it very much. I am a Christian and believe in tithing. So we gived to our church which we attend regularly and do receive spiritual benefit from.

I was reading the book and ran into a problem. Chapter 23.

My mother is a widow in her late 60s and lives on only a very small Social Security check.

I have 2 brothers but neither is financially able to help at this time.

Anyway, my wife and I were tithing to the church when my mother call me to ask if there was any way I could help her financially. With our church tithing we were
just getting by already.

In Bible class we read that Jesus told a man that he was wrongfully giving his all to the church while his family goes hungry.

Well, we thought that was a sign from God that we should help my mother out with the money we were tithing to the church since this is all the tithing we could afford right now.

So then here comes chapter 23 that seems to say I will be punished for this.

The chapter seems to say even if I did give 10% of my gross to the church and I helped my mother out with other money, that it is still wrong and I will be punished!

Anyway, the book said to email with questions and this part really has me bugged!

Thank you for your time,
Darryl Harris

Darryl,

Your mother is the one that gave you life. If she needs your help in her old age, how can you refuse?

You're not saving her. You're caring for her. Very different situation.

I agree with your wife's interruption of Christ's words. You cannot let your mother suffer so you can give to the church. God wouldn't honor that.

The most wonderful thing about tithing is that you decide where it goes. And how much goes where.

I'd write down:

I now know with crystal clarity where to send my tithe. I now know with crystal clarity how much I should contribute to my mothers care. My mother is taken care of financially.

Now that said... I would ask this. You say your mother is just getting by and that you are just getting by...well aren't most people just getting by? Isn't that the problem? We live poor and not rich. And if you made more money, wouldn't you find a way to spend it and once again you'd just be getting by?

You cannot out give the universe. What you give in charity comes back 10 fold. But you don't trust that or you wouldn't have this problem. And I'm not singling you out. Most of us have this problem.

You can test your tithing. Give some to your mother and see what happens. Ask for guidance and confirmation, you'll get the answers you seek.

I recognize the confirmations I receive concerning my tithing. I am guided by God in all my giving.

The best bet is to give your mother a book and get her to start asking God for the support she needs. After all, our good does not come from our children, does it? It comes from one source and one source only. But I'm sure you already know that.

Thanks for your letter.

Good Luck and Great Adventures.

Tom Pauley