Exodus 25

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive the offering for Me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.” Exodus 25:1-2 NIV

God told Moses to accept offerings and contributions from “all whose hearts are moved to offer them” (verse 2).  There is a consistent theme throughout the Bible with regards to giving to God and others.  God does not want His people to give back to Him out of a sense of obligation.  He doesn’t need our money: He wants our hearts.  If we truly love God, then we will want what He wants, and we will give Him our money, time and talents to allow Him to accomplish His purposes in this world.  The apostle Paul said “You must each decide in your heart how much to give.  And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.  For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  The very next verse after this reveals the promise that will occur if we obey: “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:8).  In addition, there is only one place in the entire Bible where God asks us to test Him: “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’” (Malachi 3:10).  If God asks you to test Him, you should do it!  Does that mean that we are required to tithe (give God 10% of our income)?  No.  The Israelites were required to do that under the Old Testament law.  The law has been fulfilled by Jesus, and we are no longer under the obligations of the law.  However, in light of the freedom that is ours through Jesus’ death, we should want to give even more!  Remember that the status of one’s heart when he/she gives is absolutely critical.  Early in our Christian walk, we gave the excuse over and over again that we “just can’t afford to tithe right now.”  Be careful with this way of thinking.  Give God the first fruits of your labor and then the rest is yours.  The system works perfectly: those with little give little and those with more give more.  The bottom line is that followers of God should have a desire to give back to their Lord and Creator.  This may be something that develops over time with the maturing of one’s faith.  Test God and give as much as you are able, and see what kind of blessings come your way.  But be sure to do it because you want to help others and support leaders in your church, not in response to any pressure or because you are expecting something in return.