¹⁰ Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. (Malachi 3:10 CSB)

”You can’t out give God.”

I heard this from my father throughout my life. Through the years I have found this to be very true.

Yes, scripture is clear about us needing to give our first fruits. The “tenth” is a guideline for giving from our labor. Showing God that we honor Him first before we take care of ourselves. More importantly this shows our reliance upon Him to “make up” what we may not have left over.

Our family has given in good times and in bad and God has never left us wanting. This is not to say that we have always been good stewards of what he has given us, far from it. But even when we did not use our fruits wisely, we continued to honor God.

While this scripture is focused upon the first fruits in the way of finances, produce or animals, today we have another element that God desires our first fruits. This would be our time.

If we are not giving of our time we are giving one of our greatest treasures that we cannot make more of. God honors this too. When we give of our time we give a precious commodity and as we do so God honors us with a peace and relationship of great value.

Thus, truly giving a tenth takes on a much deeper meaning.