1 Chronicles 29:9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

It does feel good to be able to give! Some people don’t seem to have discovered this fact, and that’s sad. At the same time, the figures given just before this of how much was given are an indication of the extremely uneven distribution of wealth back then. Historically, the whole idea of a “middle class” is a fairly recent development. That said, I doubt that anyone I know, much less anyone reading this by way of the Internet, is in what would historically be abject poverty. Society today is actually unimaginable luxury, on the historical scale. So why is there so much unhappiness? Because our perspective shifts with our circumstances. Over a hundred years ago one of the richest men in America at the time was asked, “How much is enough?” His answer? “A little bit more.” Jesus addressed that directly when he said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:25) This also ties in with what is the only quote of Jesus that isn’t in the Gospels: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 25:35) God gives us the resources necessary for us, but how we relate to them greatly affects how much we enjoy them. A stingy person is not a happy person! One of the most important things Jesus taught, in terms of daily happiness, is, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) When our focus is on the material, we will never be satisfied. When our focus is on God and His kingdom, then life is an ever-increasing feast.

Growing up, I was never particularly aware of finances, which indicates wisdom on my parents’ part. Thankfully, my parents’ mission board didn’t require that they scrounge up their own support, but the salary certainly wasn’t overwhelming. When my parents inherited funds from their parents, the adjustment wasn’t all that easy! I do know that they tithed faithfully. In my own personal finances, I never worried about money until I had a wife and then children to support (though I did do some stupid things as a college student, not properly valuing what I had versus what I wanted). Between marriage and the birth of our second child we did have some very tight times, but I look back on them as valuable growing experiences. Around the time our second daughter was born, my wife and I both felt strongly that we should resume tithing. We had largely forgotten that part of stewardship, though we had both been raised in it, but we never had a tenth of our income left over at the end of the month. We finally decided to take the tenth out as soon as funds came in, and what do you know, at the end of that month we had a little left over! In the 50+ years since then, God has met our needs beautifully, often in very unexpected ways. Recently we received an inheritance from a relative who had no particular reason to think so kindly of us! Now, we are delighting to give in a variety of ways, but are striving always to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

Father, thank You for Your provision, and for the privilege of giving. May we be the stewards You want us to be, not just of material resources but of all You pour out on us, for the blessing of those around us and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!