CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP

In Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. One son said 
that he would go and do some work in the vineyard, but didn't bother going. 
The other son said that he wouldn't do any work but later changed his mind 
and went and did the work. Notice that it was the one who went who showed 
his love for his father.

We too show our love for God by our actions. When God asks us to do things 
we show Him that we love Him by actually doing those things which He asks.

God however, doesn't ask us to do things for nothing, He promises us a 
reward for everything we do for Him. This shouldn't be the main reason why 
we do things for God, but it is nice to know that He promises to take care 
of our physical needs:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these 
things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

God keeps His promises. (See Titus 1:2 and 2 Peter 3:9) We can see this by 
looking at the way He has worked in history - Abraham is a good example 
(Hebrews 6:13-18). Abraham's descendants also were blessed as God kept the 
promises He made to them. (See Joshua 21:43-45)

In Malachi 3:10-12 God promises that He will give a great blessing to those 
who give "tithe" to Him. The word "tithe" means "tenth" and it is God's 
instruction that everyone should give Him a tenth of their income. (See 
Note)

In fact everything we have belongs to God, our very lives are dependent on 
Him:

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand 
hills. Psalm 50:10

"The silver is mine and the gold is mine", declares the Lord 
Almighty. Haggai 2:8

(See also Genesis 14:19,22; Exodus 9:29; Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Corinthians 
10:26,28).

We should consider everything that we have as "lent" to us by God for our 
own use, everything that is, except for the tithe which He wants us to 
return to Him as a token of our love and thankfulness to Him. (See 
Leviticus 27:30 and Malachi 3:8) 

All of us find it hard to part with our money, even only a small percentage 
of it, so it is worth getting into the habit as soon as possible! Of course 
we never really lose by returning our tithe to God because He always keeps 
His promise and gives us much more in return, though not always in the ways 
we might expect. If you have any doubts as to whether God blesses those who 
return His tithe just ask anyone you know who faithfully returns tithe and 
they will tell you!


Note: Income has been defined as "increase". Increase in money, possessions 
or crops etc. In our society, increase almost always comes our way in 
monetary form.