Giving back to God

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Sometimes it's hard to tithe or give offerings. We remember all the hours we poured into each paycheck. All the times we were really really tired but had to work. Those times we pushed through seemingly insurmountable difficulties in order to get the job done. And we have to give some of that money away?! What?!

Back when my only source of money was allowance and presents, it wasn't that much fun giving from that somewhat meager amount. But someone told me that it doesn't get easier as time goes by. You'd think it would since we can make more and have more than we used to. However, our love for money can sometimes grow with our bank accounts. So if we don't start disciplining ourselves to give back to God now, we can be assured that it won't get easier when we're making a solid income.

The Old Testament tells us about tithing, giving ten percent of everything you have. In one of the notes in my Teen Study Bible (I believe) it is mentioned that that command is not repeated in the New Testament. However, the New Testament does urge us to help the poor and to give willingly.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 (NIV)

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

For more on giving based on the New Testament, read this article, "Why You Should NOT Tithe.*"

Sometimes it is incredibly hard to give, but let us remember that every good gift is from above and that essentially we are just giving back to God a small portion of what He had blessed us with.



*I may or may not agree with every detail of this article; please compare its details with Scripture before taking any action.