"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give
than to receive.'" Acts 20:35 NLT
How could ninety cents possibly go farther than one dollar? According to Dad, it
was doable.
Two things Dad taught me about money were the importance of saving some and the
necessity of giving one tenth to God. As a child, the only money I received came
from allowance or gifts given at Christmas or my birthday. Dad reminded me that
I was supposed to give one tenth to God. Tithing he called it, and repeated an
old adage: "You can't outgive God."
I took Dad's word as truth. When I learned math concepts, I started wondering
how I could buy more with ninety cents than with one dollar. But Dad taught that
tithing worked, and so I continued. When I began my first part-time job, I
tithed ten percent of my income. Dad even taught I should tithe from my gross
pay, not merely my net. Again I wondered, Why should I give from what I didn't
receive? After I began working full time, I continued the practice. Tithing
worked. I couldn't explain it; I simply experienced it.
When I give God His due, I demonstrate my belief that His resources are
limitless. Not only had He given me the job and the means to work it, but He
also owned every available job and all available resources. Why should I worry
about how I would get by without the ten percent? Believing God can make the
ninety percent go farther than the one hundred percent is an act of faith-a deed
that reminds me I walk by faith, not sight.
Giving God His due boosts my trust level. I always need the ten percent to pay
bills. In fact, I need more than the ten percent. Yet I still give God the ten
percent-and sometimes more, believing that He'll stretch the ninety. And God has
always honored my giving when I've done it with the right spirit and motives. He
promises to meet my needs, and I've learned He can be trusted to keep His word.
Giving sporadically illustrates a lack of faith in God, but consistency proves
my faith.
What it comes down to is giving because I want to, not because I have to. I give
to God because He has given so much to me. Are you giving God His due?
Martin Wiles Hodges, South Carolina, USA
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