There’s no getting away from the fact that the quickest way to see whether your commitment to Jesus matches your talk is to take a look at your check book. The question Where does the money go? will give you an immediate answer about your real love for Christ.

Last night I started writing about various types of givers and this evening I want to pen a few lines about

OBLIGATION GIVERS

That’s what I call the folks who have got a very good grasp of f what the Bible teaches on tithing, which after all is very simple – the Scripture tells us The tithe belongs to the Lord.

You can’t disagree with that and you can’t misunderstand it either. Like all the essentials you’ll find in God’s word, he made it so straightforward it’s impossible not to comprehend what he is saying.

While a lot of professing Christians choos to ignore this principle and give God their spare change, there are others who are meticulous about ensuring that the 10% goes back to God. They tithe religiously, to the last fraction of a cent and are absolutely consistent.

This kind of giver keeps going through tough times, knowing that one tenth of a smaller income is still the tithe. Their consistency can be relied upon, which is a wonderful thing for the local church, but there is one major weakness with Obligation Givers.

There is a danger that their detailed tithing lacks passion and heart. They do what they have to do because they have to do it. They have lost track of what the New Testament says about cheerful giving and are motivated as much by duty as by faith or love.

While Obligatiion Givers are a blessing, there is a better way.

More tomorrow …