Tithes (is another word for finance, money or regular income)

Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value, and are safe from thieves. (Matthew 5 vs 19)

Isn’t saving a lack of trust in God?

Not at all. Saving is wise stewardship.

Hoarding is driven by fear, anxiety or an unhealthy relationship with money. Spotting the difference is not always easy, however.

To be a wise saver and not a fearful hoarder needs two things. Firstly, you need a purpose: what are you saving for? A silver wedding, a child’s 18th birthday, travelling, a hundred mile an hour sports car?

Secondly, you need boundaries: how much do you need to save? We can’t save for everything we want.

As a rule of thumb – and that is all it is – many people find “10 – 10 – 80” helpful: give 10%, save 10% and live on 80%. The point is that guidelines for saving will ensure wise stewardship, not hoarding.

Inspire Magazine
www.inspiremagazine.org.uk