For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24
Out of all the snares one has to face in this life, this one is especially dangerous. It can sneak into so many of our decisions. When is comes to your Source of life and blessing Who really is it? Is it Mammon, the entity that grips your soul with it’s tentacles and squeezes you with worry and concern to make you think you don’t have enough? Or is it God Who has provided you a way through the day? Which one do you consult before making financial decisions? So many are drawn into a life of the pursuit of money, rather the pursuit of God. How much money will you take with you when you die? Mammon is an expert at keeping you looking at the fear of you not having enough and what ifs, and wants you frantic to make more money. Unfortunately the current institutional system of religion / Church even can be a major contributor to wrong teaching and a source of greed in regards to this issue.
First the tithe was an old testament concept / precept. Ten percent set aside for the priestly tribe of Levi for the priests who served in temple for worship of God and community duties. I know, I know, many will tell me it is still God’s standard in this day and age, even though they really can’t back it up with clear scripture. Believe me, I’ve studied this issue extensively. The New Testament view of giving is MUCH, much different than the old testament practice of the tithe. In the New Testament Covenant God wants you to know He owns ALL of your money, not just the ten percent. And that when He tells you to give through direction of the Holy Spirit …percentages have NOTHING to do with it. You are to give the amount He says to give. And that often enters the sacrificial range, which means beyond with what you are comfortable. HE wants you to rely on Him not on your own view of what is ‘safe’ or reasonable in your opinion. If you are giving out of ritual or coercion or habit with zero consultation with the Holy Spirit …EVERY time, then you are actually doing it wrong and should not expect any eternal reward for it. If He really owns ALL of your money and worldly possessions then EVERYTHING should be at His disposal for you to give as HE directs WHENEVER He directs, because… it actually is ALL His! This is the new covenant way of giving. Giving for no other reason than obedience to His direction by the Holy Spirit, and not looking for the tax deduction of any other reward, is the correct way. In fact in the New Testament Covenant way to give is secretly and not letting anyone else know. Do you view all that you currently have as ALL His? Can He tell you to give it away, and will you actually be able to hear and listen to Him?
To learn how to be content with what you have and where you are …is the true blessing God can give to a person. Peace so eludes those who are striving after money. Real joy is missing when everything you are doing is to gain more money. Actually real joy comes in the giving to others by His direction. Giving isn’t always money. Is the Holy Spirit asking to give in other ways? Your time? Making a meal? Clothes? To someone who needs those things in your community of believers around you. Furniture? Actually when you ask Him … there are sorts of ways to give to others / Him as the Holy Spirit directs. Is the Holy Spirit asking you pay someone else’s bill(s) this day / month? Is He asking you to give a certain dollar amount to a complete stranger or someone you don’t really know?
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40
So the next time you ask the Holy Spirit to say something to you, ask Him what HE wants you give to someone else today. The smallest gestures are ALWAYS important and valuable IF they are by His direction. A card, a word of encouragement, a prayer, a small gift as He directs you, these are the joys of the day, as He has given you enough that you actually can give to others in His Name.
Be aware how Mammon is trying to sneak into your day with worry. Counter him with gratefulness to the Lord by declaring your praise and joy for ALL the Lord has given you THIS day!