Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
I have been reading The Blessed Life, by Robert Morris. It has really spoken to me about God's principles of money and first fruits. In his book, Mr. Morris points out, "The Body of Christ in the United States earned an estimated $5.2 trillion in 1998, and the total amount given in the United States was $92 billion. The amount given is 1.7 percent of the amount earned."
God's first fruits is the tithe - 10 percent. The churches are tasked with taking care of the poor and spreading the "Good News," yet we historically fail to honor God in our finances. If this is an area of your life where you struggle or find it hard to accept that God still requires our tithe - I highly encourage Robert Morris' book.
Take a drive around your city, look at all the needs not being met: people without food, homeless, and a myriad of other issues. Could you imagine what churches and ministries could do if their budgets were increased 5 times? Granted some ministries have not been faithful in handling the gifts they were entrusted with, but God will help direct our giving to the places He is working.
Throughout the Bible we are told that God will bless us when we honor him - when we are faithful in the small things he will trust us with more. When we fail to give God what is his, we are stealing from God - just look at Malachi 3:8-9.
The good news is God forgives when we honestly repent - maybe it is time to take a good look at where your treasures are and see where your heart is.
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