Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will be no room enough to store it.
Malachi 10
Once when I had birthday both of my little children stayed in their room for a long time in the morning and appeared only after hours. They then handed over to me their presents, their treasures! That touched me for it was not easy for them to give away their treasures. But finally love had overcome their miserliness and they gave with pleasure. I was deeply glad about the two.
God is pleased like a father when we donate Him something. It may be our time, or money, or other things of high value to us. Actually He does not need it as He has everything in abundance. But He likes to receive these presents as a sign of our love.
There is another good reason to give away: We are protected against the danger to lay too much importance to material things. We risk to make money to our God and never could receive enough. Because of the money some become a deceiver. Some respected people in church life had been tried by money by having misappropriated it.
God wants to prevent that money becomes our god. Therefore He wishes that we donate regularly and with joy. This is His therapy against stinginess and greed.
For a long time I have fought against my avarice by giving more than I should and wanted. I said to myself: Give still more to beat the miserliness. Yes, the battle against avarice and greed has to be fought offensively. Whenever we notice that the old Adam comes back with these temptations and attacks we have to fight against that.
God is our Father who is pleased about any respective progress of His children. We want to do everything that this new generous life will become evident in us. Being stingy and greedy this is definitely not the character of God.
On the other side we do not want to make any business with God: I give Him the tenth of my salary and God will bless me with much money. This thinking is against God and solid faith. We donate also when we have not so much money for we know that God provides for us. We donate in order to express our love to God. We take care that good things are done with our donations and always ask God before whereto our money should be given. God sometimes thinks differently than we and we should listen to Him attentively.
Some people make a law out of that to give the tithe. With God everything is voluntary. He loves joyful givers. You may donate also the fifth of your salary, or what is possible for you. As said above we always ask God before whereto and what for we give. We should not donate by law as also our Lord gives abundantly without directions.
Thank You, Jesus, You gave me everything and so much. I wish to thank You by giving back to You some small presents. It is not much but I give it from my heart. I want to share with my sisters and brothers. And when I see neediness I will try to help. You are so good to me!
Bible reading today – John 1: 1-18