God wants man's attention. God being the Creator and knowing what is best for us, it is right that God have a portion of our gain. Jesus said that we are to give to God what is God's. "And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar‘s, and to God the things that are God’s.  And they marveled at him." (Mark 12:17) Paul also told us about giving. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (1 Corinthians 16:2) "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

We know that we are to give, and our giving should be to God. Two questions still remain about giving, quantity and how to give. The Lord knew it would take at least a tenth of a person's gain to get their heart focused on Him. I think He has already set the minimum quantity to be given. Love, fruit of the Spirit, is expressed in actions. How much do you love God?

     Christ told us very plainly how we are to give to God. He was very clear that our giving alms, money, was to be done privately, without fanfare. He even gave us the warning and the blessing if we obey His will. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:1-4)

True love neither expects nor looks for anything in return. A child of God gives to his Lord out of the joy of his heart. He gives only to bring pleasure to God. He does not give to impress anyone, not even himself. When a true servant of Christ gives, none will know except the Lord. When you give the correct way and in the right Spirit, the Lord has given His Word to reward you openly. Any other method of giving is foolish and contrary to God's Word. Under such circumstances, the gift is vain. Your reward, therefore, is vanity, and you have your just reward.

     You should ponder this. If your right hand knows what your left hand gives, did you give God's way? Both hands are parts of the same body. The right hand and the left hand receive direction from the same mind. How can your hand give so that your mind is unaware of the giving (Matthew 6:3)? When you tally or keep books on your giving, did you give in secret?

     God knows how to give. He gave the gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)