Kem Meyer blogged this morning about how people often want to grow in their faith, as long as it doesn’t affect their pocket books. I recognize that this is the case for many believers. But for Abby and I, as long as we’ve been married, this has never been the case. It’s not because we haven’t struggled financially. It’s not because we haven’t had periods of time when we’ve had to balance every penny in hopes that we would not bounce a check. We’ve been there. But giving offerings at church has always been a priority for us, and we’ve never compromised that discipline.
The truth is, God doesn’t need our money. He wants our hearts. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Giving an offering joyfully to God is an indicator that we’ve already given our hearts to God.
And why not give? God has promised over and over in his word to bless those who trust him in this way. One of my favorite passages on this topic is one that Abby memorized last year, and that I have recently memorized as well, Malachi 3:10-12:
“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 you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
I say this not to brag, but to encourage. If you’re in a tight spot, and don’t think that you can afford to give, I know that you can. The poor woman who came to Jesus knew that she could (Mark 12:41-44). I encourage you, if you are in this position, not to focus on giving, but focus on God’s grace. When you remember what Christ sacrificed for you, it becomes that much easier to sacrifice for Him (and I’m not just talking about money anymore, but that’s another post altogether).