First give the Lord His share

After the battle with the Midianites, while dividing the plunder amongst them, it was instructed to Moses and Eleazar to tell the Israelites to first give the Lord His share of the plunder.

Does God need money? Isn't the whole world His? Why should you give money to the church? People will misuse it.

It is an instruction that the Lord has given. To give His share- though the earth is fully His.

1 Cor:4:7 What do you have that God hasn't given you?

So giving is not making your church look richer. Giving is not making your temple more magnificent and pompous and gaudy. Giving is out of gratitude of what you have received. Out of indebtness of what you have received you give, be it for the needy or for the spread of the Word. That's why Jesus said the widow had put in more. With an attitude of gratitude she gave.

When we think of giving we often constrain ourselves in thinking of money alone. Equally important (or even more I would say) is TIME.

What is the fraction of time in a day you spend with Him? Half an hour I found out is 2% or 1 in 50 of the everyday time I've got. Sometimes we rush through our quiet times in want of time. I have even done my quiet time standing in less than a minute (even skippped certain days) because I was late. How often have I conveniently skipped my talking to God?

We have made it a ritual. We have time for everything else.

We forsake our sleep for watching a movie, but not for prayer.

And then wake up late with groggy eyes. And skip our quiet time.

We are tired of the day's toil. We gobble up our food and rush to bed. And skip our quiet time.

What about energy /talents/life? Do I use it for God in its prime?

Or do I wait for retirement?

Giving money is not an alternative excuse for you not to work for His kingdom. Using your life for His glory at its peak is what pleases Him more.

It all comes naturally when I have that attitude of gratitude.

Secondly the instruction is "first" give the Lord. Giving to God should be the first thing that crosses our mind when we receive.

Time - early morning when you are most fresh.

Money - First thing when you salary comes

Life- at your young age.

You will not lose on anything. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added into you.

Thirdly - Later we see the generals and captains  coming to Moses and acknowledging that none of them are missing. And out of their thankfulness they voluntarily give all the gold they captured.

Everything is His. Everything is His gift. Nothing is ours. And when we realize that we are just stewards and not owners, we voluntarily give every bit of it.

Time - we won't restrict our relation with Him to that half an hour. We want to know Him more. We spend more time.

Money - we are not hesitant to give to that brother in need.

Life - whatever stage you are now, wherever you are, our desire is to be spent more for Him. Not to live in a utopian ideology.

Assets (including children) - we do not cling on to them and cherish them for our fantasies. But release them to be used for God.

May God enable us to give Him His share first