Money… the root of all evil it’s been called. Yet, it’s really how we spend it, view it, and the priority we give it in our lives that can lead to all kinds of evil. All I know is that I’ve had little of it and I’ve had much more than I’ve needed. And even when it’s been scarce, I’m thankful that God provided for me. The Bible says we should honor God with what He’s given us. So today, I am going to focus on what the Bible says about giving our first fruits, our tithes and offerings, back to Him.
First, it is important! In the beginning after Adam and Eve’s fall, the very next story is about their children’s obedience and disobedience in giving the first fruits of their labor to the Lord. God wants us to trust Him completely with every need or want we have! Sometimes, I have to ask myself if I trust Him enough to provide for me? Do I show trust by giving to Him first and willingly, or do I give Him my leftovers?
Next, am I a cheerful giver? When you truly love someone, you give to them willingly and cheerfully. God wants to see this love for Him in our giving. After all, we know as children of God that this world and everything in it belongs to Him. We should be good stewards with what He has given us and use our resources wisely. Sometimes that means not being wasteful with His blessings and gifts; other times that may mean being charitable to help others; still other times, that may also mean not going deep into debt, which may pull our focus off of Him and on to making more money or idolizing material things.
I have heard people say before that they will not give a tithe this week, because they have already given a lot of their time in service to God. They have spent a lot of their time working in their church or volunteering to help others. Therefore, they don’t need to give to Him financially too. While service to the Lord is a wonderful thing, God wants us to trust Him with every area of our lives!
We shouldn’t overcompensate in one area of life in order to keep control or not give Him control of other areas. Every single detail and aspect of who we are, what we do, and what we have should be His completely.