Taxes, The Gospel, and Fish
It’s That Time Of Year
I love this time of year as you hear the birds chirping and the sun shining longer. However, I am sure my husband has not enjoyed the sound of my voice saying, “Have you finished our taxes?” I remember the days when taxes were simple, and you got a nice return, but now we face the dreaded amount we will owe. As crunch time approaches and we have looked at where we spent our money, it can be a very eye-opening experience. For each of us, our bank statements reflect what is important to us.
The numbers can tell some stories about your life. Maybe it’s the large mortgage, the new car note, or the restaurant you frequently visit? Some of us spend lots at salons and boutiques, while others spend more on crafts supplies. Maybe you’ve spent your hard earned money on medical bills, or just maybe on that dream vacation you finally enjoyed. We can learn a lot about someone by where they spend their money.
John 21
In the narrative of John 21, we are offered a window into the disciples’ experiences following the pivotal moments of Jesus’ resurrection. This passage includes the miracles of the catch and the “Do you love me?” conversation between Peter and Jesus.
You’re probably wondering, “How does this fit with the act of tithing?” Within these verses, we find a subtle yet profound invitation from Jesus to the disciples: “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” This request, at first glance, might seem as simple as adhering to a customary gesture of gratitude, akin to bringing a gift to a host. Yet, beneath this simplicity lies a depth of meaning.
When life gets hard, we return to what is comfortable, and that is exactly what we find Peter doing here. He goes fishing. Despite their expertise, they caught nothing… until they encountered Jesus.
But Jesus…
In the early morning, around dawn, a figure appeared on the beach and asked them about their catch. They did not recognize him. It was not quite light and a shadowy figure over a hundred yards away was hard to see clearly. It’s possible they did not recognize Jesus because they had returned to routine and familiar actions and had stopped expecting him to appear.
The figure instructs the fishermen to throw their nets on the other side. I suspect, they thought with a little sarcasm; “like we haven’t done that already.” However, they did as instructed and the miracle took place. They caught 153 fish! What the number reveals is a beautiful image of the abundance of God’s blessings and how God provides exactly what we need. There are plenty of examples in the Scriptures of God providing for His people, and many of you could also share your own testimony of blessing.
Abundance Through Christ
Jesus’ invitation to share their catch, as he prepared a meal of fish and bread, echoes the miraculous provision seen in the feeding of the Five Thousand. This act reminds us that what we offer, no matter how insignificant it may seem, becomes a conduit of abundance through Christ. Our resources, provided by God, remind us not to elevate our efforts above the divine source of all provisions.
Tithing emerges here as a call from God to share a portion of the blessings we’ve received, an act that transforms our offerings into miracles within the kingdom. While the journey towards giving can feel daunting, especially when resources feel limited, it’s an opportunity to reshape our priorities towards a posture of gratitude and obedience.
Growing God’s Kingdom
As we navigate our financial landscapes, especially in the season leading up to Tax Day, let us seek guidance to uncover the true essence of our priorities reflected in our spending. Embrace the challenge to extend a bit more towards growing God’s kingdom, gently increasing our contributions until we joyfully embrace the practice of tithing. Jesus extends an invitation, “Bring some of what you have.” This path, while it may appear challenging at first, evolves into a beautiful expression of faith and trust over time. We conclude with a reminder from Charles Swindoll.
“The size of a challenge should never be measured by what we have to offer. It will never be enough. Furthermore, provision is God’s responsibility, not ours. We are simply called to offer what we have – even if it appears as modest as a sack lunch.”
Charles Swindoll
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Sam, loved the devotional! We miss you!
Thank you Ronnie, we miss being around at Grace as well and miss you all. I enjoyed writing this one.
Enjoyed this so much, we can’t out give God.
Rheba Jividen,
It is true we cannot out give God we have indeed been blessed.
Sam
It is so true. God doesn’t let His faithful ones go without and even gives extra.I used to feel my financial gifts weren’t “enough” so I’d always tell people I could also pray, which is totally different from tithing, but still a very big gift. Have seen God do amazing things for people ministries that are prayed for. I had not heard the Charles Swindoll quote about sack lunch, but it reminds me of times I’d not have as much as usual to offer someone on the corner or wherever, but I’d give them a sack lunch. God uses our giving to benefit others and show himself to them. Our obedience is paramount…. Thank you for writing so straightforwardly about it. I’m thinking there will be others who are touched by the sack lunch quote, in different ways.
Kelia,
thank you for your response. Obedience in our finances is so difficult to bring under the Lord’s control money has an odd hold over our hearts but thanks be to God that the strength of His will is greater than ours.
Sam