How is your giving?

Jesus said, “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11 NIV). In other words, if you are not faithful to Him with your finances, He will not trust you with greater blessings. What does it mean to be faithful in your finances? Paul wrote, “On every Lord’s Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.” That means three things: (1) Regular giving. Note the words “every Lord’s Day.” This is systematic giving, not sporadic giving. It is not, “I feel good today, so I’m going to give to God.” If you try that with your mortgage holder, you will be without a house! You’re not supposed to give by impulse, but by a commitment to obey God’s Word. (2) Planned giving. “You should put aside something from what you have earned.” If you’re married, sit down and discuss it with your mate and decide the amount you feel God wants you to give each week. If you don’t plan it, you will not give consistently. (3) Proportional giving. “The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.” Giving 10 percent should be the minimum – the beginning point. If God has blessed you financially, you should give more than 10 percent. Bottom line: You are to return to God a percentage of what He enables you to earn. When you do, He promises to increase you abundantly (see Malachi 3:10; 2Corinthians 9:6-10).