Ted Baze, pastor of the Ceres Church, grew up in a home with parents who gave above and
beyond their tithe. His father was a teacher at an Adventist school, which meant supporting the family with this income wasn’t always easy. But his parents prioritized giving tithe as well as giving 10 percent in offerings. This is in addition to his mother staying home with the children, and focusing on educating all of the children in Adventist schools.
Baze’s family was never rich, but they also never went hungry or lacked essentials. God always provided what was needed. This belief in giving was built into Baze’s life from childhood, and he has continued it into adulthood. He committed to giving at least 20 percent, in addition to his wife staying home to raise their children and being able to send the children to Adventist schools.
“Money is a big part of life,” says Baze. “And, in some ways, it's kind of a spiritual courage. It's giving us a way to interact with God. And it's a reminder of what He is supplying to us. It's amazing how when we give, we discover we still have more than we need. It's a reminder that when we give back to Him, it's part of that relationship.”
“For me it’s two aspects,” continues Baze. “It’s tithe, which I return to God and I let him use that 10 percent—it’s dedicated. But then there’s the joy of being able to say, What else can I do? What else does God need? And by the way, that's not limited to just an added 10 percent.”
When we see that we are able to give to God, it also shows us our ability to connect and impact the people around us, adds Baze. “When I'm willing to give to God, and I find out I have the resources to do that, it makes me realize I can also give to my family and to others, and it's more than just money. It's love. It's relationships. It's time. It gives me the courage to be willing to use these other currencies and be a blessing.”
Many times we hear profound stories about giving, but Baze says that the most important piece of his experience has been the long-term impact. He has seen his relationship with God and the people around him grow through his family’s trust in God. “For me, it has been more a matter of an ongoing experience than miracle stories,” he says.
Baze’s journey in giving hasn’t always been blessings, though. Not long ago, Baze was leaving a nominating committee at his church. All the other attendees had already left, and he was walking out to his car when he noticed the lights were on inside his car. Then he saw two people breaking into his car, attempting to steal it.
They pulled a gun on him, stole his wallet, phone, laptop, and car, then drove away. “I think I
surprised them. They were trying to steal the car, but they saw me and decided to get a few
bonuses,” he says. But while he stood on the sidewalk watching them drive away with his
valuable possessions, he wasn’t thinking about the loss of money. Instead, he was relieved.
“I realized the car didn't mean anything to me. I didn't care if I ever saw that car again, and that helped me as far as materialism goes. It's been a journey of discovering how God can supply.” Baze says that on this journey he has been able to see that giving is not a blanket insurance policy. Instead it is a method of connecting with God and those around us in a deeper, more meaningful way. “God provided for my safety, and that was His most important gift,” adds Baze.
If you are considering giving more than 10 percent, or just beginning to give, Baze suggests that you test God. “I encourage you. Take the step. Go to Malachi and claim the promise of tithes and offerings, and watch what God does.”
“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’” (Mal. 3:10 NIV).
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