9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the firstfruits of all your produce; (Proverbs 3:9 ESV)

Statistically, only about 5-10% of church going people tithe the traditional 10%. So how do churches survive? Well, again statistically of that 5-10% of givers, 77% give well above the 10% mark. So instead of the standard 80/20 rule, we have a 10/77 rule.

But this only looks at the fiduciary responsibility of believers. Many others give of their time, which in this day and time also has a monitory element. Time is money as they say.

As believers, we should want to give of our time, treasure and talent. Each has its place in Kingdom building. Today’s scripture speaks to the first fruits of all we produce. To be honest God has little use for our money, He is in control of everything. However, our giving provides new avenues for the church to spread the gospel. Our time is the one thing that we cannot make more of, making it the most precious of first fruits. I think this is why time given to God first thing in the morning is so important. And lastly, we need to ask ourselves how we use our talent for God. Have you dedicated your career to God. Have you used your talents to provide for something other than your own wealth and wellbeing?

So consider where are we placing our percentages today? Do we give well beyond the 10% with ALL we have? And in my experience, God gives back well beyond what I have ever given Him. He gave freely His one and only son for my salvation. This in and of itself is more than I could ever repay. But His giving has gone well beyond this and in Him I place my trust fully.