Practice :: Generosity – Session 2 “The Relational Tithe”
Focusing for the Practice
You’re invited to come forward and light a candle
as you are ready and centered for tonight’s service.
Practice Time: Video & Discussion – the Relational Tithe
Silence
Prayer for the City
Sending
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked [Jesus], “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:28-34.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47
“At the Simple Way, our studies of biblical economics have been a catalyst for us, sparking new projects. One of those we call the Relational Tithe, where Christians around the world give a tithe – 10 percent of their income – into a fund, and 100 perfect of that goes to meet needs of friends and neighbors. Basically, we decided not to pick on the rest of the church but to try to get the log out of our own eye. After all, the best critique of a wrong thing is the practice of something better. It’s not perfect, but it’s an exciting project that is anchored in good theology, inspired by the early church, and has substance to it. A few weeks ago, my buddy who lives across the street got his tires slashed and his window smashed. I brought the need before the Relational Tithe community I’m part of and we were able to carry that burden with him and fix his car. He was so moved by that, he now wants to join. This is just one way we can put flesh on the gospel we proclaim with our mouths and model what the early church was doing – living out a community that fascinated folks by the way they shared and loved people.” – Shane Clairborne. Red Letter Revolution. [blog] [wiki] [book]
expanding your practice at home
- How can you generously share the resources God has given you: physical, natural, economic and spiritual?
- Volunteer with our CAPC Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Register online at https://capcoakland.wordpress.com
- The Relational Tithe site: https://www.relationaltithe.com/index.php
- The Community of the Simple Way : http://www.thesimpleway.org
About capcoakland
CAPC Oakland 