1 Samuel 25-26, Luke 12:32-59 Key Verse: Luke 12:34
“If I win the lottery, I’ll tithe.” Ever hear someone say that? The words may change a bit from
one get-rich-quick scheme to another, but the sentiment expressed stays the same.
Yet the truth is, the more a person earns, the less likely he is to give at least 10 percent.
According to the Barna Organization, fewer than 10 percent of born-again Christian tithe 10
percent to their church.
The people most likely to do this, in fact, are those who earn the least, and even that is not a high
percentage; Only 8 percent of those making $20,000 or less tithe. And the percentages keep
dropping as the income rises, to only 1 percent of those making $75,000 to $99,999. (After that
the percentage of tithing does rise some.)
Still, it appears that the more one has, the less likely he is to tithe. You would think the opposite
would be true. Surely the more one has, the easier it is to give. But that is not the case.
As one prospers, the heart can be affected, drawn away from heaven to earth, from that which is
eternal to things that are temporary. Jesus’ words strike at the heart of both the problem and the
person: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (v. 34).
Want to check your heart? Check your checkbook. That book will have the evidence to confirm
what holds the attention of your heart. Focus on making deposits in the bank of heaven.
Do a check of your checkbook. Does it reflect a life that gives to God?

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in