Giving God His Due - Martin Wiles

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 NLT

How could ninety cents possibly go farther than one dollar? According to Dad, it was doable.

Two things Dad taught me about money were the importance of saving some and the necessity of giving one tenth to God. As a child, the only money I received came from allowance or gifts given at Christmas or my birthday. Dad reminded me that I was supposed to give one tenth to God. Tithing he called it, and repeated an old adage: “You can’t outgive God.” 

I took Dad’s word as truth. When I learned math concepts, I started wondering how I could buy more with ninety cents than with one dollar. But Dad taught that tithing worked, and so I continued. When I began my first part-time job, I tithed ten percent of my income. Dad even taught I should tithe from my gross pay, not merely my net. Again I wondered, Why should I give from what I didn’t receive? After I began working full time, I continued the practice. Tithing worked. I couldn’t explain it; I simply experienced it. 

When I give God His due, I demonstrate my belief that His resources are limitless. Not only had He given me the job and the means to work it, but He also owned every available job and all available resources. Why should I worry about how I would get by without the ten percent? Believing God can make the ninety percent go farther than the one hundred percent is an act of faith—a deed that reminds me I walk by faith, not sight. 

Giving God His due boosts my trust level. I always need the ten percent to pay bills. In fact, I need more than the ten percent. Yet I still give God the ten percent—and sometimes more, believing that He’ll stretch the ninety. And God has always honored my giving when I’ve done it with the right spirit and motives. He promises to meet my needs, and I’ve learned He can be trusted to keep His word. Giving sporadically illustrates a lack of faith in God, but consistency proves my faith.

What it comes down to is giving because I want to, not because I have to. I give to God because He has given so much to me. 

Are you giving God His due?

Prayer: Father, prompt us to give You Your due because You have given so much to us. 

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