God expects us to be a good steward of what he has given us, and this is how he has taught us, through scripture, to do that.  I tried hard for a long time to come up with reasons why I really did not need to give.  I would tell myself that what I had to give was small, so it would not help the church much; I needed the money more than the church did anyway;  there are plenty of other people who had more to give.  What I did not realize then, but understand now is that giving to the church is not about helping the church to balance its budget or making sure some church event has enough volunteers (although both these items are important results of good stewardship), but rather, it is primarily about my relationship with Christ and helping me to grow closer to Him.

Over time, for me, giving has changed from being something I do grudgingly, out of a sense of duty, to being something I really enjoy doing.  At certain times in my life, it has been easier for me to give of my time, and at other times, it has been easier for me to give of my money, but it has always been important for me to give both, and whatever I have given, God has blessed it.  Furthermore, I have also been blessed as a result.  The following passage from 2 Corinthians 9:11 has really been true in my life, "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God."

Two of the many ways in which giving has been and continues to be a blessing to me are:

• It allows me to be a partner in God's purpose.  Here at Calvary, I
  believe God's purpose is being carried out, such as in Sunday school each week, the mission to Honduras, community outreach activities, the music ministry, the EYC, just to name a few.  When I give my money and my time to Calvary, I get to be part of something great, serving God.
• It frees me.  As it is written in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two
  masters; for a slave will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."  Giving of my money and my time prevents money and the demands of the world from controlling my life.
  

Giving really does feel good and my giving is helping me to grow as a Christian.
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True, the principle of tithing first appears in the Old Testament.  The first recorded tither was Abraham, long
before the law was given to Moses.  Abraham gave Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, a tenth of everything.   Then under the laws of Moses, a tenth of money, flocks, and grain were to be brought to the place
of worship.  Why?  If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, why does
He need my money?  I struggled with that question early in my walk as a Christian.

Over time, I found at least three good reasons to tithe. 

• First, God commanded it.  Just as I didn't always understand my parents' rules when I was growing up, I may not always understand the reasons for God's rules.  What I do understand, however, is the peace that accompanies obedience, when I stop rebelling. 
• Second, if everyone tithed, we would not have to worry about funds to keep the church and all its ministries functioning.  As God's family, it is our responsibility to provide for His house of worship and to minister to His "other sheep." 
• Third -- and this is exciting -- God promises to take what we give in faith and to multiply it back to us!  I can personally testify to this truth. 

In I Kings, chapter 17, we find the amazing story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath.   Elijah persuades her to use her last flour and oil to make some bread for herself, her son, and for him too.  We read in verse 16, "... the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah."  I was once a poor single mother.  Against my rational thinking, but in obedience to God, I gave Him my tithe.  I was never without food or any necessity of life.  But wait, there is more!

In Luke, chapter 6, verse 38, Jesus says, "give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap."  In that same time of my life, when my husband had deserted me and our daughter, I gave as God commanded, and my brothers and sisters in the church provided what I could not afford.  We received beautiful clothes for my daughter, a loaner car, even a brand new refrigerator!

I learned that God is faithful to His word as it is found in Malachi, chapter 3, verse 10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse ... '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.'"

When I came to faith in Christ, I began to receive blessings that have continued through the years and will continue into eternity.  He has never failed me.  He is such a good Father!  I encourage you, if you have never given according to God's plan, to join me and experience for yourself the Joy of Tithing.