Trust and Tithe

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths... Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:5-6,9-10

“So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had." Luke 21:2

“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress . . . Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account . . .And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14,17,19

Do you trust me?  If you have ever asked this question to someone, you know that there is an element of faith and also vulnerability.  You are asking someone to put their faith in you, while opening an opportunity for loss for them, if you should fail.  The same is true for tithing for God.  He asks us to give, until it hurts, for His glory, and there is no guarantee that we will receive anything in return. 

Looking at the Old Testament, first fruit offerings were a real sacrifice in a society that was agriculturally based.  The Israelites would bring these offerings in from the first harvest of their season.  Giving before they knew how the whole season would go, before knowing if locusts would come and clean out their fields; and before taking any for their family’s pantry.  It was certainly a sacrifice in faith that God would continue to meet their needs.  Too often we take our eyes away from God’s provision and focus more on our bills.  When we focus on our omnipotent and omniscient God, He will provide and we will be able to give to His glory.  This is not a health and wealth message, but just a matter of focus.

There is also a thought that when you have no money to give, that you will make up for it by giving more time/prayer/etc.  While we certainly should offer to God these resources also, it disallows God out of our finances.  God has said He wants to be a part of our entire life, including finances (or whatever else you keep stashed away.)  This is certainly a hard teaching at a time when it is hard to make ends meet.  We already have a place for every dollar to go, but God should be included.  God is glorified in our sacrifice (whether $1 or $100) and focus on Him.  May our prayer be something like, “God, please take this sacrifice and accomplish your purposes.  I don’t know how my finances will work out, but I trust you.” (Read Deut 26:13-15)