I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Speaking of giving thanks, doctors, psychologists and counselors say that the healthiest emotion is gratitude. Gratitude will change your life, your relationships, and everything around you.
It’s no wonder that it’s a biblical command. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Thirty-four times we are told to “Give thanks” in the Bible! This passage I just referred to says, “this is God’s will for you.” God doesn’t want us to miss the power of gratitude. There has been much written on the power or gratitude. Just do a Google search and you will find countless books, articles and research that says gratitude is powerful.
Our tithe expresses gratitude to God. Proverbs reminds us to “Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income.” Proverbs 3:9 We give appreciation or honor by giving the “first part” of our income or tithing. It is simply saying, “Thanks God for all you have given me!”
Rick Warren says, “The number one reason we give is out of gratitude for past blessings. We know that God is the source of all that we have. He’s the source of our life. He’s the source of our abilities. He’s the source of all the natural resources. He’s the source of everything. We give because God first gave to us.”
I have to admit that many years ago when I first struggled with the concept of tithing — I prayed, “Are You really sure You need this ten percent more than I need it?” In time I sensed Lord’s answer, “You’ve missed the whole point. I don’t need your money. It’s not your money that I want. What I want is what it represents. Your money represents your life. That’s what I want.”
God does not want your money. He doesn’t need your money. What He wants is what it represents. He wants you. He wants your life. He wants you to commit yourself to Him. Then you can give in gratitude.
We give not because God needs it but because we need to give. It’s all about gratitude. Giving keeps us from being selfish. It keeps us from being Scrooges, from being self-centered and thinking we’re our own God and the whole world revolves around us. Selfish people are unhappy and unhealthy people. Be grateful and be happy and healthy.
So here’s to good health and happiness! Darrell
Tithe online at: https://upwards.church/give-online
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