Luke 19:40

¹⁴But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (1 Chronicles 29:14 ESV)

I have never had a problem parting with money. I just don't have an attachment to it. Tithing has never been an issue. I know that many do. The most likely reason is that they are under the mistaken impression that they earn the money they have. Everything we have is God's. He gives to us as He wills. When we tithe, God isn't taking money from us, rather we are returning it to Him.

That's the old argument and if it works great, but I don't believe for minute that God just wants our money. He wants our heart. Consider the following.

We tend to view the tithe in the same way we do taxes. I've earned this much money and now I have to turn around and pay a tenth of it to the church. Giving your tithe is not paying the church tax.

If you are having trouble being a cheerful giver, try looking at it this way. If you go to work every day and do your best, I'll give you all the money you need to pay your bills, eat, etc. All I ask is that when you have used all you need, give the rest back to me.

That sounds great doesn't it? Did you notice I didn't say a tenth? That's because God blesses us and we give. He blesses us more so we can give more. Forget the tenth. Give twenty percent. Give thirty. Give half. Give whatever God has blessed you to give.

“Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”