One of the things that I occasionally watch on TV are shows about people building off the grid.  They are all people who are disconnecting from city services such as electricity, water, gas, and sewer.  The homes are built in remote places from Alaska to New Mexico and in between.  Some of the people building have a plan and they work the plan; others seem to have an idea of what they are attempting to accomplish.  Inevitably, all of them run up against time constraints, nature, wildlife, or the rough conditions.  Occasionally, one of them makes a mistake and they have to undo work and repeat processes.  My only comparison to this is trying to put together something bought at IKEA.  Luckily for me I follow instructions – starting at step 1 I will go in order.  It just makes life simpler and saves me the frustration of having to take something apart because I missed a step.

There are routines that we have built into our lives – they are necessary for us.  Simple things like taking a shower, going to bed at the same time, waking up at the same time, and regularly brushing our teeth.  These regular habits help us maintain a standard of health that promotes wholeness and enjoyment of life.  However, these are not the only routines that we may be consistent with.  Others may be spiritual practices that foster growth in becoming more like Jesus.  Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, or serving others are some examples of this.  Another one is the discipline of regular giving to God.  Not sporadic or unintentional, but planned and methodical giving of time, talent, and money. 

During an early visit with the elders in Jerusalem, Paul promised them that he would raise funds from the Gentile Christian communities that would support the “poor saints” in Jerusalem.  Paul then spent a couple of years doing that along with preaching and evangelizing.  To keep people engaged, he would include encouragement about giving in letters that he sent to other communities.  That is part of his first and second letters to Corinth.  As part of this, he encouraged them to give regularly to the collection; this would keep the needs of others before them as well as build a habit, a discipline, a routine of regular giving to God.  I think the same principle can be effective in our lives today.

I know that if I am not regular at keeping up with certain routines, they could easily fall by the wayside.  Some of them are health related, some work related, others are spiritual practices.  Besides, I am the type of person that if I change my routine, I am out of sorts for a while and that is uncomfortable for me.  I like regularity and in various areas of our spiritual practices, God likes that consistency as well.  John Wesley once said that we should “earn all you can, save all you can, give away all you can.”  Implied in this is a regular habit of doing so.  The regular and consistent flow of resources into the communal organization empowers us to do wonders for God’s kingdom. 

I invite you to take time and read each of the scriptures above followed by reflection on the questions below.  Analyze your giving practices to see if they are sporadic or regular.  Lastly, I pray that God bless the reading of God’s Word and the meditations of your heart.

Questions to Consider this week:

• Monday:  How often do you pay your bills?  Routinely on a schedule or sporadically?
• Tuesday:  What is your routine regarding personal hygiene?  How do you feel if your routine is interrupted?
• Wednesday:  What are your regular spiritual disciplines?  What would you like to be more consistent at?
• Thursday:  What is your view of regular giving practices verses spur of the moment?
• Friday:  How well would your household function if your income was sporadic and inconsistent?
• Saturday:  How does disciplined and regular giving by members support the vitality of the faith community and its mission to serve the world?

Actions for the Week:

• Head:  State your belief regarding giving to God through your faith community. 
• Heart:  Assess your level of attachment to and dependence upon God for all things in your life.
• Hand:  Develop a plan and practice to regularly put aside a defined portion of your resources to be given as a tithe or offering to God.