Nadia Bolz-Weber is a Lutheran pastor based out of Denver, Colorado.  In her book Salvation on the Small Screen, in which she critiques Christian TV shows on Trinity Broadcasting Network while viewing it for 24 straight hours, she writes this:  "What I personally get back when I tithe is freedom from that particular amount of money; I no longer have to worry about losing it or wasting it."  This was in response to watching Believers' Voice of Victory, which is a show that apparently emphasizes the so-called prosperity Gospel.  Of course, there is no such thing as a prosperity Gospel; it is the false notion that God will prosper those who give abundantly to "ministries".  Usually, it seems, that ministry is Trinity Broadcasting Network.

I appreciate Pastor Nadia taking on the heresy of the 'name it / claim it' Gospel, and I find her reason for tithing challenging and insightful.  The more of our stuff we trust to God - specifically  in this case money - the less we have to be concerned about misusing it.  Now this is obviously naïve without some discernment.  Is giving the money to a manipulative ministry like the shows on TBN better than keeping it for myself?  I think not.  On the other hand, with intelligent research and biblical assessment of who we are supporting, I'd venture to say that many times Nadia has it completely right.  I know I live just a few miles from Poland Springs, Maine, but when one eighth of the world still has no access to clean water and I do, do I really need to spend money on cases of bottled water?

I also think this theology of less applies to other areas.  For example, I have been sharing the Gospel through juggling for the last 29 years.  Early on, I developed tendonitis in my left wrist.  Later, I got it in my right as well.  I have been able to continue on, but have never reached a level of greatness I once dreamed of.  I wonder if I would still choose nursing homes and hospitals and jails as my primary venues if I had the skills of one of the best.  Fortunately, this is not a decision I need to wrestle with thanks to having less. 

Likewise, small churches often meet needs in their communities that larger churches might not even 'have the eyes to see'.  By having less, the churches fill a need that would otherwise get overlooked.  I wonder how often leaders of small churches thank God for the blessing of less. 

During the Lenten season of 2014, I commit to being more thankful for less.  I am thankful for our small mobile home, because it is hard for our daughters to isolate themselves from the rest of the family (although, admittedly, they tend not to want to be apart often).  I am thankful for the small school where I work because I know the students in a true discipleship role.  I am thankful for the small venues where we perform because we get to spend time with the people after shows. 

So, back to Pastor Bolz-Weber, I conclude with this thought from the same chapter of her book: "Tithing... is a small step toward keeping me right-sized, which isn't easily done, let me tell you."  Amen