Given May 14, 2016

Imagine, if you will, this conversation with God: 
Us:  “Father, I know you love me and want to bless me as your child.  Today, I ask you for more income.”
God:  “Why do you want more income, so you can buy more stuff?”
Us:  “Oh, I’m sorry Father; I was misguided by my flesh.  Please increase my income so I can give more to help others.”
God:  “Well, how about this: First, why don’t you give more, trust Me and then see what happens to your income?”
Us:  “Oh, uh, that will be hard Father.”
God:  “Try it and see.”  “Trust me.”

Current research shows that between 5-25% of church attendees tithe.  In my church, that would be about 15-75 people!  ”Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need”  (Malachi 3: 10-12)  And also, many “tithers” are only giving 2-3% of their income.  God has made us some promises about giving.  “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38).  I know it’s hard and goes against our fleshly thinking but it’s a matter of this: Do we trust God at His word or do we keep His part of what He’s given us, (the 10%), and use for ourselves?  I’ve heard this before: What if we looked back at what we gave last year and that figure was multiplied by 9 (90%) and that’s what we would receive this year?  How would that be for you?

Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).  We need to think about this and decide whether we’re committed to being a real Christ follower or just talking about it.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).  Where is your treasure?