Finances 101
In 1 Corinthians 16:2 it is written, "On the first day of the week, let each of you put aside something and save it up as he has prospered." This chapter was speaking to meeting the needs of the church in Jerusalem, however in it we have an excellent foundation of instruction for how to take our first steps financially with every paycheck we receive.
The first day of the week - once you are paid, place the Lord God Almighty at the very front of the line before anyone or anything else with your tithes and offerings. If it is online, go to the website and do so first. If you give in person, write out the check that day or set aside the cash in a safe place that day to give on Sunday. Doing so settles the matter... that God is first and having taken that action you are preventing anything or temptation from getting in the way.
At times we all need to be reminded of how awesome God is. By taking this action regularly of giving to Him first before anything else, we honor Him and love Him and are taking a step in the flow of Matthew 6:33, that says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Many of us may already have agreed-upon charges of monthly subscriptions for a variety of things. The option does not exist to decide when or how much we'll pay to these companies. Does the timing of our giving to the Lord show a similar priority? This is not necessarily in the form of always giving the exact same amount, for in 2 Corinthians 9:7 we're instructed to not give under compulsion, but as we've made up in our own mind and heart.
The last portion of our opening verse above encourages us to "save it up as he has prospered". There may be some households that are currently forging through some tough times, however especially compared to the financial means of families in biblical times (when these verses were written), many households today are very prosperous with sizeable disposable income.
And in those households prospering, the giving of our tithes to the Lord is a starting point. Because in a prosperous household it is easier to allow the things of the world and the desire for them to take hold. Jesus lovingly said in Matthew 6 that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Therefore it is all the more important to cultivate a generous heart and attitude.
There is a phrase (and songs) titled "Let go and let God". In our finances this translates directly to God Himself issuing a challenge to us... the only place God says to "Test Me". In Malachi 3:10 He says "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
I have heard from Pastors who have served over many years say "I've never heard from one person who tithed that came back and told me it did not work". I can also attest in our household that from decades of giving tithes and offerings that the Lord has shown to be faithful, generous and good to us.
Let's conclude with what is written and promised later in 2 Corinthians 9 for those who give:
"And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient."
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
