tithing

So I read Tithing by Douglas LeBlanc. Tithing is an issue that I have done some study on before even requesting the book and I will admit to having a negative predisposition before it even arrived. Book Sneeze asks for an unbiased review, so here it is. This was just a numbingly uninteresting book. It amounts to little more than a series of anecdotes and a diverse group of people stating their personal opinions about why tithing is swell and how, in many cases, God has faithfully given them money mysteriously. Sure it isn't technically prosperity teaching but there is a certain element of that ideology that runs rampant throughout. I frankly found it not only uninteresting but doctrinally dangerous.

I understand that the point most of the folks interview were making was not that tithing is commanded but a spiritual discipline (hence the name of the series) but the problem remains that in reading the various interviews you get the impression that these folks have done very little to study the idea of tithing as an Old Testament practice and don't see the difference between bringing your tithe into the storehouse and contributing money to your local church.

There is a lot to be said about faithful giving in the church, about caring for the needs of our brothers, about how Christians should view money. Setting a baseline 10% based on a poor understanding of Old Testament tithing and applying it to the church is unhelpful. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. That might seem harsh but I didn't come away with anything even remotely redeeming about it.

I received Tithing: The Ancient Practices Series as part of the Book Sneeze program in return for posting an unbiased review.

max on life

Max Lucado's latest publication "Max On Life" would prove to be an inspiration for me from the moment I had got it. You see, I had received some devastating news about my brother-in-law who has been struggling with glioblastoma for the past few years that morning. My husband was at work and the family wanted me to relate the news to him that there was nothing else the doctors could do for his little brother. This would be the second loss of a sibling for my spouse in a short span of time and I didn't know how to tell him. The only thing I knew to do was pray about the matter so I asked God to give me the words. God answers in mysterious ways and he answered this prayer quickly and exactly with what I needed. My copy of "Max On Life" from Book Sneeze arrived that afternoon. The book is a wonderful compilation of pertinent questions that most individuals ask and the answers to them which are backed up with scripture. There is an inspired chapter on the 'Hereafter' which addresses why the good die young, what is Heaven like and inquiries such as those. I have to state that this chapter was such a comfort and blessing for me especially at this time. I found the most divine verse which Max shares from Isa 57 verses 1 & 2 '"Good people are taken away but noone understands. Those who do right are taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death."' Those words were so soothing to me as they would prove to be for my husband later in the same day. Max Lucado focuses on God's promises to his children in this book. He offers a more positive view of looking at the circumstances we may be facing now and putting our trust in our Father in Heaven. I only touched upon one small chapter of this book but there is so much more within it's covers. This book is truly a treasure for the spiritually minded. Do I recommend? Certainly, this book is superb!