Interesting discussion, and certainly far better than the normal holy wars that arise about tithing...
We are tithing and I notice no difference in our savings rate! It's been eye opening.
It's amazing how that works, isn't it? Obviously this is not a Scriptural promise, and this is where the prosperity theology manages to twist the Bible, but I've certainly seen this in my life - "You want me to give how much? M'kay... I really don't know where this is coming from, but I'll give." And then, somehow, it works - and I had more. As much as I dislike the associations with the word "stewardship" (visions of the annual Stewardship Sermon growing up), it's a good term. Are we using God's resources for God's Kingdom? We'll be tested with little, and if we are faithful, we'll be given more - yet, expected to be faithful with that as well. I've been tithing(ish - I don't pull out the calculator for every side gig) for a long while now, and I simply don't miss the money. Tithe, max out 401k, and live on the rest. It's not technically first fruits in that I'm paid every 2 weeks and randomly, and church giving is taken out twice a month, but that's just something that comes out regularly. I've actually considered going back to writing a check so it's more in the front of my mind, but haven't gotten there yet. Auto-debit is pretty handy...
The Bible often talks about greed and patience. Anyone thinking of putting money into crypto currencies or the latest hot bio tech stock should read up on those verses.
Certainly, though I'll note that a long hold strategy on Bitcoin from early on would have been very, very profitable. I don't do any day trading, but I made a good chunk of money "selling the shovels" in the late FPGA/early ASIC era when BFL was constantly delaying.
I think I would feel like I was doing something wrong if I had $50,000 sitting in bank for a what if. For me that would not be trusting God to provide for me. That would be trusting in me. I don't worry at all about being not having enough money. Its always there.
I understand your argument, but there are quite a few bits of wisdom in Proverbs about storing up for the future. I'd agree that relying on one's emergency fund or such too much isn't Biblical, but at the same time, we're called to be wise stewards of resources. By your argument on the surface, Joseph wasn't trusting God in storing up grain from the 7 years of good production for the 7 years of famine. We don't know what's coming, and having some ability to buffer that (or simply to have the resources to be generous) is wise preparation.
If you are on the path to FIRE, I'd look at what you plan to do with your time once retired - if you can be FI younger than average, that's huge in terms of having the time and resources to spread the Gospel. Not that many working people have the time to really dedicate to planting churches, reaching out in the community, etc. But FI? Yeah, I can spend my time working for the Kingdom! Better, still, if I have the resources to be generous. So there's a balance to be struck.
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Going back to the original question, it impacts how I spend my time and resources. I'm part of a church that is very, very focused on outreach into the local community and on serving locally. We set aside 10% of the church income into a fund that is dedicated to helping locally - we've bought families a vehicle when they needed one, helped cover rent, been able to give generously to other local organizations, etc. The school we meet at (mobile church) is in a really low income area, so we're working with them to be able to provide resources to students and families - the school has a resource room filled with, literally, things like underwear, socks, peanut butter, Mac & Cheese, etc. We want to partner with the school in being able to be effective with that. I'm planning to organize a more official "garden production swap" next year, where we have a place, on Sunday, to bring our garden production, with a focus on, "If you need something, take something" - if you brought something or not. We had something like that, more unofficially this year, and I've seen some people very, very excited about a giant zucchini, because that's a lot of extra food for them. We meet in a bit of a food desert, but a lot of us have property and gardens. I'm working towards being able to be as productive as I can with my property, not only to meet our own needs, but to be able to be generous with the excess.
What this means, in my own life, is that I try to "default yes" to opportunities to serve and help. I can't always make it, but if I can? I'll be there. Don't care what it is. Let's get our hands dirty and dive in!