Giving Your Tithes And Offerings

Giving Your Tithes and Offerings

Q: How does God want you to give your offering money?

• a. grudgingly
• b. with great thought
• c. cheerfully

Zachary woke up and hopped out of bed. He went to his window and looked out. It had snowed during the night! Normally Zachary wouldn’t be too excited about the first snow of the season, but this year he was going to shovel to earn money toward a new game system. Zachary dressed quickly and went downstairs to remind his parents of their promise to buy him the game system if he earned half of the money himself.

Zachary started planning how many sidewalks and driveways he’d need to shovel to earn enough money.

“Don’t forget about your tithe and offering,” his mom reminded him.

“You’re kidding, right? That’s for adults,” Zachary said unhappily.

Do you ever feel like Zachary? Tithes—10 percent of your income—and offerings—the extra money you give in addition to your tithe—are for adults who earn a regular paycheck, right? Wrong. They’re for everyone. We give back to God because he gives us everything we have including the ability to earn money or blessing us with it in some way.

It’s good that Zachary was motivated to earn money, but he was wrong in his attitude about the money and the game system he wanted to buy. God wants us to give cheerfully and willingly to his work and to help others first.

For You

Set aside a little of all the money you receive to put in the offering at church. Be willing to give back to God by supporting your church, missionaries, and those in need.

Answer: c

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 Whole Story: 2 Corinthians 9)