Originally posted by lambslove
But too many Christians use the verses about only giving what they determine in their own hearts to give nothing at all!
There was a time when giving even 50 cents was a big deal to me. I had so little income that that 50 cents was like $50 to most people. God didn't care that I didn't give more. I think he was excited that out of the nothing I had, I gave something. But now that I have more income and some money in the bank, I think he would be sorely disappointed with me giving 50 cents.
When I did start having more income, I didn't rush out and give 10% right away, I worked my way up to it, giving a little bit more each year until I reached my goal of 10% without going bankrupt. I think God was fine with that, too, because I had determined in my heart to honor God with my money, at the amount I could afford.
But I didn't go out and get cable TV, a cell phone, a hot car, at luxury apartment, and then tell God that there was nothing left for him and would 50 cents still be okay?
And too many American Christians do just that. They see to their own luxuries first, then give a small percentage of whatever they haven't spent that month.
Can you picture how you would feel if you gave your kids money to go to the store and buy meat and potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner, and instead they spent it all on candy, then asked for more money for more candy, never giving it any thought that the others in the family might be hungry, lacking even a main course? That's the way a lot of us western Christians act.