We often misunderstand Christianity as a call to become better, more moral people. But Jesus’ words in Matthew 9 correct us: He came not for the righteous, but for sinners.

God commanded Israel not to harvest to the edges of their fields but to leave margin for the poor, foreigner, and the vulnerable. Generosity was built into the agricultural rhythm of the community. Trusting God means not squeezing every ounce for ourselves but creating margin so that others can flourish. How can we, as God’s people, live simply so others can simply live? Have we structured our lives with margin for mercy, or are we consuming everything right up to the edges? 

God commanded Israel not to harvest to the edges of their fields but to leave margin for the poor, foreigner, and the vulnerable. Generosity was built into the agricultural rhythm of the community. Trusting God means not squeezing every ounce for ourselves but creating margin so that others can flourish. How can we, as God’s people, live simply so others can simply live? Have we structured our lives with margin for mercy, or are we consuming everything right up to the edges? 

Sometimes the more we focus on ourselves, the more stuck we become. 2 Corinthians 2 invites us to look to Jesus, look outward, and discover the freedom of self-forgetfulness.

Biblically, a tithe means “ a tenth,” but it was never merely mathematical but was intended as relational. In Leviticus, the tithe belongs to the Lord; it is holy because it represents trust. In Matthew Jesus speaks in to this reality when He is confronted about paying taxes to Ceasar. Jesus says, “Give to Ceasar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God’s”. On the coin was the image of Ceasar, give that to him, but the human bears the image of God. God doesn’t just want our money, He wants our hearts, and so the giving of our money represents a trust in the one who holds our hearts.