Attitude Check: Giving

(Proverbs 3:9 KJV)  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Talk is cheap.  We “honor” (3513) God by our actions.  One of those actions is giving.  Why do we give?  Not our of fear or empty habit but with a sincere desire to honor God.  God has said He does not want our gifts or sacrifices if they are not given with the right attitude.  Attitude is so important.  We all have felt the difference.  One person performs with gritted teeth.  The next person does it with a smile.  It changes the value of the action or service.

This would seem to be a call to giving beyond the tithe.  We are to respond to the “substance" (wealth NASB) (1952) God has given us.  The poor did not have wealth but were expected to tithe. 

The second phrase seems to refer to first fruits.  It is significant that the word “and” is here.  There seems to be an assumption that much of the economy is based on farming.  For a farmer the first fruits meant that he would give to God out the first part of the crop, before he knew how the harvest would turn out.  It is a principle that should apply to every area of our lives.  For instance, we should give God the first fruits of our time.  If you wait to worship, pray or study until you have the time, it will be an insignificant part of your life. 

So?  If I want to experience the blessings that God has to offer, it requires the right attitude.  If your birthday brings you a plastic chess set when you had your heart set on crystal, your attitude will determine whether you will enjoy the gift or not.  Honor God in all areas with the right attitude.