“During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah.  Rachel said to Leah, ‘Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.’  But she said to her, ‘Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband?  Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?’  ‘Very well,’ Rachel said, ‘he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.’”     Genesis 30:14-15 (NIV)

     These verses show a bitter battle between two sisters.  There was probably a time when they were close, but many of us have seen how a man can come between two women.

     Leah is the older of the two sisters.  Although custom dictated that Jacob marry Leah first, his heart belonged to Rachel from the moment that he first saw her.

     Years later, even after Leah has given birth to numerous sons for Jacob, she knows that there is nothing that she will ever be able to do to win Jacob over.

     Leah is bitter toward her sister because she feels that it is Rachel’s fault that she feels so unloved.  As a result, she is unwilling to share the mandrakes that Rachel asked for.

     Leah’s actions can teach us two lessons about giving.

A vengeful heart can keep us from giving.

     Leah despises Jacob’s intense love for Rachel.  But Rachel really has no control over who Jacob loves.  Rather than realize this, Leah allows years and years of bitterness to create a wall around her heart that keeps her from maintaining a loving relationship with her sister.

     Although it is not clear from the text, Leah’s anger has probably had an impact on many of her family members.  There have probably been times when Leah has misdirected her anger toward her children, her husband, and maybe even others with whom she comes in contact.

     Many of us can relate to Leah’s anger.  It can be hard to separate our current feelings toward one situation from the rest of life’s situations that are still happening around us.

     Then, when we are expected to be nice toward the one that caused the anger, it can feel like mission impossible.  But Jesus told us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Further, we are to love our enemies and pray for them.

     No matter how angry or hurt we feel, we cannot become vengeful.  We cannot let our anger keep us from maintaining a giving heart.

God gives to us so that we can give to others.

     Our stewardship extends beyond our financial resources.  It goes beyond tithes and offerings.  God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others.

     Leah refused Rachel when Rachel asked for mandrakes.  Are we also refusing God’s children when they come to us for help?

     It may not be a financial need.  We may be asked to provide food, temporary shelter, or transportation.  We may be asked to lend a hand and share our time.  We may simply be asked to listen to someone who wants to know that someone cares about them.

     As Christians, we should empty ourselves of ourselves so that we are available to God.  We have to be willing to allow God to use us to reach His lost children.  We never know when that one random act of kindness will change a life.  Changing one life can have a domino effect that can change thousands and thousands of lives.

     While we may feel small in this vast world, God can use us to do big things – if we let Him.  Let’s pray for the strength to allow God to transform our angry hearts into giving hearts.

     In taking care of God’s property, we have been reminded that we are only stewards of what God has entrusted to us while we are here on earth.  Another strong characteristic of a Christian is a giving heart.  In fact, giving is our foundation.  Remember John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV) 

     If God cared enough about us to give His only son for our benefit, we should care enough about each other to willingly give of our resources to help those in need.  Giving is all about attitude.

Do it out of love

     Giving must come from the heart or it doesn’t count.  In 1 Corinthians 13:3, Paul wrote, “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (NIV) 

     Some people may feel that they don’t have enough to give to others.  But what we must keep in mind is that it is about quality, not quantity.  In Matthew 23, Jesus criticized the teachers and Pharisees for not practicing what they preached.  He also pointed out that while they were giving a tenth of their gain, their other affairs were not in order.

     Jesus also gave us another example in Mark 12:41-44.  Jesus was watching a crowd as they gave their offerings at the temple.  Rich people gave large sums of money, but a poor woman was only able to give two coins that were worth less than a penny. 

     Jesus had more respect for the woman than He had for the rich people.  “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”  (Mark 12:43-44 NIV)

     Regardless of what you are able to give, do it cheerfully.  Paul also wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (NIV)

You will be rewarded

     The most awesome reward we get from giving to others is a closer bond with our Lord.  Remember that when we do for others, we do for Him. 

     There are also eternal rewards.  We should be willing to give because we should not be concerned about accumulating things here on earth, as they are only temporary.  Rather, we should focus on storing treasures in heaven.  (Matthew 6:19-21)  Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 that the wealth of this world is uncertain.  We should put our trust in God and “be rich in good deeds.” (NIV)

     Solomon pointed out that there are also rewards while we are here on earth.  In Proverbs 11:24-25, he wrote, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (NIV)

     Paul discusses it further in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.  He wrote, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (NIV)

The Word on giving

     We are instructed to give in several respects.  First, we should tithe.  Since God has enabled us to do everything that we are capable of, we should willingly give back a tenth of what He provides us.

     We should also give to our churches and the workers.  God has placed these people in our lives to help us.  Paul wrote in Galatians 6:6, “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” (NIV)

     Lastly, we should give to those in need.  Jesus told his apostles a parable about the sheep and the goats. (Matthew 25:31-46)  We are to look after one another:  the hungry, the thirsty, those without shelter, those who need clothes, the sick, the imprisoned.  He said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40 NIV)

“And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.  Then Abram gave Him a tenth of everything.”     Genesis 14:20 (NIV)

     Abram knew God and His promises.  He had experienced God’s presence and His deliverance.  Abram knew that, without God, he had nothing.  Giving God a tenth is a small act of appreciation in comparison to what God gives us every day in return.

     There may be times where we don’t feel God as much as we might like.  That doesn’t mean that He is not there.  Remember, God never changes.  We are the ones that turn away from Him.  God promises to be with us when we turn back to Him.  In Malachi 3:7, God reminds us, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” (NIV)

We serve a big God

     One of the great things about God, though, is that when He comes through for us, He comes through big.  Malachi 3:10 tells us that when we are faithful with our tithe, God will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (NIV)

     In an economy like this, in a time of shortage and lack, can we even imagine not having enough room for our blessings?  God is a God of abundance, and He wants to give to us.

What is our attitude in giving?

     But our tithes and offerings should not be given in a desire for reciprocation.  We can’t give to get.  Our giving should be out of humble appreciation for God’s wonderful mercy.  Even in our sin, He still loves us.  No matter how sinful we’ve been, He is always ready to forgive and take us back.

     Tithes and offerings should be given freely and out of love.  Amos 4:5 encourages us to “brag about your freewill offerings – boast about them, … for this is what you love to do.” (NIV)

How do we give?

     Activities that we enjoy are usually front of mind.  If tithing is not yet a front of mind activity, there are ways we can help ourselves to get there.  Paul reminded the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (NIV)

     Tithing should come off of the top of our income.  If it is first, there is no worry about whether or not there will be enough money left over after bills.

     God has provided us with our jobs, with our ability to perform a job.  We should show our appreciation to Him first.  Consider how many of our family members, friends, and colleagues have told us about losing their jobs in the last year or two.  It could have been any of us.  God has spared us, and that should not be taken lightly.

     The tithe should also be a first fruit.  This means that we tithe off if the gross increase, not the net.  Even if there are numerous deductions from our check before we get access to it, God’s actually provision to us is the gross amount.

     While many Christians have debated the subject, my pastor summed it up best.  In deciding what kind of blessings you prefer, would you rather a gross blessing or a net blessing?  How we give is how should expect to receive.  Jesus explained that to us in Luke 6:38 that “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)

     Malachi warns us about robbing God through our tithes and offerings.  I don’t want to take any chances stealing from God

     We may not have been in line in the past with what God expects of us, but it is never too late to start.  God is ready to take us back whenever we are ready.  Let’s aim for excellence in all things.

     In fact, in Malachi 3:10, God actually tells us to test Him with the tithe and see what He does for us in return.  Let’s take Him up on the offer.

“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.  The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor.  So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”  Genesis 4:3-5 (NIV) 

     It’s Monday, and many of us have gone right back to our daily grind.  It’s the beginning of another long and crazy week. The weekend just wasn’t long enough. As we get caught up in our busy lives, yesterday’s sermon suddenly becomes a distant memory.

     There are so many challenges that we encounter during the week.  Some are personal.  Others involve our family.  And there always seem to be hurdles at work.  Sometimes we see them coming, while others hit us unexpectedly.

     As we wallow in self pity in the middle of these obstacles, we often find ourselves asking God why this is happening to us.  Genesis 4:3-5 gives us some insight into the answer to this question.  We will just look at 3 questions we should ask ourselves in the midst of our troubles.

     1) What are you giving to God?  It’s funny how we tend to get upset with God for giving us a bunch of mess to deal with when that’s exactly what we give Him. Let’s ask ourselves:

     Are we praying as often as we should?  (“Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV)

     Are we seeking His counsel daily?  (“Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 11:3 NIV)

     Do we only seek Him when we need help, or are we praising Him and thanking Him in the good times?  (“I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1 NIV)

     Are we being obedient?  (“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” Genesis 4:7 NIV)

     When we look at our resources – our time, talent, and treasure – what portion does God get?  In looking at Genesis 4:3-5, we see that Cain brought some of his fruits as an offering.  Abel brought fat portions for his offering.

     Are we really giving God the best that we’ve got?

     2) When do you give to God?  We can also refer to Cain and Abel in looking at our timeliness with giving to God.  Back in Genesis 4:3-5, we see that Cain brought his offering in the course of time.  To me, this sounds like Cain got to God when it was convenient.

    Although the Bible doesn’t give us much detail, we can just think about Cain’s gift in terms of how we might take care of some things in our lives.  We all have those projects that we just really don’t want to do.  So, we might do a little bit now, and then put it off for awhile.  We only pick it back up because someone mentions it or because we feel a little guilty that it still isn’t finished.  But we’re just not all that excited about working on it or getting it done.  These are the projects that we work on when all the good, fun stuff is finished.

     Abel’s fat portions came from the firstborn of his flock.  For Abel, God wasn’t an afterthought.  Abel was blessed by God, and he made sure to give back to God right away.

     Is God at the front of our minds?  Is He our first thought when we find that our eyes have opened and we’ve been given another day?  When opportunities arise to help others, do we offer to help, or do we make people wait until it is convenient for us?  When we are blessed financially, are we tithing off of the top?  Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” (NIV)

     3) How can the clay get upset with the potter? Lately, many of my studies have referenced the concept of the potter and the clay in terms of our relationship with God.  It is very appropriate here, as well.  Isaiah 29:16 says, “Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’?  Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing’?” (NIV)

     Let’s remember our place.  We are God’s creation.  We were designed by Him to bring Him glory.  The things of this world that we are able to enjoy are gifts from God. They are gifts, not obligations. God owes us nothing.  Why would we question our Creator when things are less pleasurable than we are comfortable wih?

     In fact, Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world.  John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble.”  We will face these hurdles at home, in our relationships, on our jobs.  But Jesus didn’t stop there.  John 16:33 continues, “But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (NIV)

     Hallelujah!  With this in mind, let’s all approach this week differently than we have in the past.