🌱 Expanding Our Understanding of Tithing: Shared Responsibility
Hello again, I trust all is well. Let’s pick up where we left off, shall we?
Spiritual Etiquette is MHAEK’s first order of dismantling the school-mental prison pipeline and the first step to reclaiming homework. But how do we attain spiritual etiquette? Through tithes and offerings, of course. “What we sow, so shall we reap, right?”
For example: Imagine your tithes as your long-term investments—those intentional, consistent deposits into your spiritual growth. Your offerings? Think of them as your checking account—those daily, fluid acts of generosity and responsibility that keep the flow going.
When we align our time, energy, and resources with spiritual principles, we’re sowing seeds that yield greater harvests in every area of our lives, including spiritual, social, and personal growth.
Many of us need counsel on how practical conformity steals our joy. Practical conformity is not making time for adventure, not learning something new, and not trusting the process when you start something new. This is practical conformity—when survival mode dominates every day, and the chance to experience joy, adventure, or new learning opportunities is pushed aside because of circumstances beyond their control. It’s not laziness or unwillingness, but rather the harsh reality of being stuck in a cycle that leaves little room for personal growth, fun, or spiritual nourishment out of our comfort zones. Let's focus inward. Say, how can I stop conforming to my default routines and instead make intentional time for personal growth? What we invest in becomes an extension of who we are.
Tithing isn’t just about blessing your church with 10% of your earnings or doing a good deed every now and then. What if we expanded our understanding of tithing to include giving back to the most critical aspects of our lives? It’s about investing intentionally in your mental, physical, spiritual, and relational well-being—the foundation that sustains you, nurtures your growth, and allows you to live out your purpose fully. For example, for the first month and almost a week of this year (36.5 days to get definite about this year), I focused on nourishing myself—mentally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. So, for the rest of the year, I have decided to intentionally dedicate at least 10% of the day to well-being, breaking free from practical conformity and embracing a life of balance and intentionality.
Plan to do it. Here are some examples
⏳ Mental Health (2.4 hours/day): Investing in your mental well-being is crucial. Whether by prayer, journaling, meditating, reading, speaking life, or engaging in mental teasers, it takes time to center your mind. This can improve your resilience, focus, and overall happiness. Identity starts with I—who are you?
💪 Physical Health (2.4 hours/day): Our bodies are the vessels that carry us through life. Investing time in exercise, healthy meals, rest, and self-care will pay dividends in how we feel and function day-to-day. Simple practices like stretching, walking, or improving muliebrity and/or your virility can go a long way.
🌿 Spirit (2.4 hours/day): Our spiritual health can take many forms, from prayer and reflection to engaging in activities that uplift our souls. Connecting with nature or others with compassion and forgiveness maintains peace and balance in life.
💰 Finances (2.4 hours/day): Financial health is a form of self-care too. Spend time educating yourself on managing finances, creating a budget, saving, and investing. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, it can lead to a future of financial freedom and security.
❤️ Relationships (2.4 hours/day): The people in our lives reflect our time and energy. Whether it’s family, friends, community engagement, or romantic partners, investing in meaningful relationships by giving them time and attention strengthens the bonds that sustain us.
So, do you have at least 2.4 hours daily to care for your well-being?
Now, let's connect this to the Overcompensating Parent:
An overcompensating parent is someone who goes above and beyond to give their child everything they think they need, often out of guilt, fear, or a desire to ensure their child’s success. While the intent may be rooted in love, it can sometimes lead to unhealthy patterns of indulgence, shielding, or even pressure that prevent the child from developing resilience and personal responsibility. This does not align with the order of God for families.
God’s design for parenting is to "train a child in the way they should go" Proverbs 22:6, to instill principles that will guide them through life, and to let them grow and learn within healthy boundaries. An overcompensating parent can inadvertently disrupt this process by trying to overprotect or overcorrect, instead of allowing the child to walk their own journey and learn from experiences. Don't feel guilty. You are not alone. I'm not a perfect parent either.
By overcompensating, we fail to allow the natural sowing and reaping process to take place. Just like the principle of tithes and offerings, when we invest in our children’s development—not through constant over-giving but through intentional guidance and teaching—we set them up for success that aligns with God’s plan. Instead of overcompensating, let’s invest in teaching our children how to make wise decisions, trust the process, and grow into the people they were created to be—spiritually, socially, and personally. God has already given them everything they need within His order for the family.
Before you go, ask yourself, 'How am I overcompensating as a parent, friend, teacher, Coach, partner? What decisions must I make to achieve balance in my giving?'
Remember:
"Do not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)
“Get definite about prosperity so that prosperity gets definite about you," said Catherine Ponder. We are not just tithing but setting the foundation for a more fulfilling, balanced, and intentional life.
"The Most Important Work You Will Ever Do is Withing the Walls of Your Own Home." Mother Teresa
#TithingBeyondMoney #InvestInYourself #HolisticLiving #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare #FinancialWellness #RelationshipsMatter #SpiritGrowth #seekMHAEK
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