How Great Is Thy Thankfulness?

Last week my husband’s pay check was what I consider to be a substantial one due to receiving a bonus.  I was sitting on my patio enjoying a few moments of warm sunshine when it suddenly occurred to me the amount I would have to write the check for to pay our tithes this week.  I could almost sense the Lord laughing as He asked, “Oh, how great is thy thankfulness now? Would you prefer I provide Steve a job earning less income so you wouldn’t have to write such sizeable checks?” I laughed and replied, “Oh Lord, not really, not yet!”

For so long writing the checks in order to pay our tithes to the church often meant having to cut back on our spending for things we felt we needed.  Granted, we have never really gone without our needs being met but so often it was painful to give.  Leviticus 27:30 tells us a tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord.  Malachi 3:8 says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.  But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings.” Proverbs 3:9-10 says to “Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency and with the firstfruits of all your income; so shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 says “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  There are so many different opinions regarding tithing to the church now.   I personally recognize the fact that it's from God's mercy and grace that I recieve anything.  Therefore, I feel I should give 10% of everything He provides me.  When it was painful for us to give it was difficult to give cheerfully. For so long we did not pay our tithes because we didn’t feel we could afford to and we continued to struggle financially.  When we did pay them we gave not with a joyful heart but because we felt it was required of us even when it was painful to do so.  Deuteronomy 15:10 says “Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”

Yesterday I could not wait to write that check and place it in the offering plate.  Why?  Because I am so extremely grateful for the blessings He has provided us enabling us to write a check for that amount and give with a joyful heart.  I can’t praise Him and thank Him enough for His blessings.  How great is thy thankfulness?  My thankfulness is off the charts!  Please don't feel that my intentions are to bragg about our  blessings.  It is my intention only to share with you how thankful I am for His blessings and a joyful heart.