When God laid down the concepts by which ancient Israel was to live, He included the area of giving. He instructed His people to designate one-tenth of their possessions specifically for the work of God. This gift was to be channeled through the Levites, the spiritual leaders of Israel, and used to meet their needs as well as the needs of the poor. In addition to the tithe, Israel was also encouraged to give offerings. In Malachi 3:8-12, the blessing of God is tied to the faithfulness of Israel in giving a tenth of their income back to God. The curse of God, the removal of God's blessing, is tied to their failure to give.

While the New Testament does not require Christians to give 10 percent of their income, it does stress the concept of giving back to God out of what he has given us. Jesus clearly taught that the blessing of God on our lives is tied to our spirit of gratitude, expressed in giving. When we express our gratitude to God by giving back to Him out of what He has given to us, Jesus promises that God will give us more. One cannot outgive God.

Take time to pray and thank God for the resources He has entrusted to you: Ask Him to search your heart and reveal to you any attitudes toward giving that you need to correct. Commit yourself to a lifestyle of giving that honors Him.

Malachi 3:8-12

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ 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 not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

How would you describe your commitment to giving? Explain and plan specifically.

What areas do you need to work on?

What is one thing you can do this week to use God's resources in a way that honors Him?

More scriptures on giving:

Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 16:17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.

I Chronicles 29:9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

Always finding ways to honor the Lord and give within our means is fulfilling.

Here is an opportunity to give to orphan girls for Christmas this 2020. Find more information inside the Facebook group at Santa 365 Houston, and on their website at http://www.Santa365Houston.org