When people ask for a handout, we may feel reluctant to help out. But when someone helps us when we are in need need, the value of charity becomes apparent.

When the early church went through a famine, the Macedonian congregation contributed spontaneously, somewhat putting to shame the Corinthian congregation.

The widow who gave a mere two mites gave more than all the other contributors combined because she gave out of her poverty with genuine sacrifice.

The gift of the Holy Spirit, leading to an intimate relationship with God, eternal life in the God family as called out firstfruits, is priceless.

If you do something for someone first, they are more likely to reciprocate. And, the 'favors' don't have to be equivalent—a small favor can beget a bigger return favor.

Offerings are commanded just as much as tithes, but God gives us the choice to determine just how valuable the physical and spiritual blessings are for us.

The Pastor General of a well-known church made a statement that turned the giving of offerings into a competition and a rich man's game. Is this God's intent?

Deuteronomy 16:16 does not specify the exact amount of the offering, but does ask us to make a thoughtful recollection of the benefits received from God.

Fear of any kind is never an excuse to break any of God's laws. God wants us to learn the principle of reciprocity- that what we sow we will also reap.

The context for the oft-misquoted 'money is the root of all evil' is a warning against ministers who wish to enrich themselves using the pretext of God's Word.

Tithing requires faith and trust in God, who provides our ability to acquire wealth. Each member must make his own decision. Tithing is based on increase.

Christianity has both an inward aspect (building godly character or becoming sanctified) and an outward aspect (doing practical good works).

We have the obligation to bear spiritual fruit, heeding the lessons of the cursing of the fig tree, and the parables of the barren fig tree and the talents.

We must learn to be content to be weak and powerless, realizing that, when we are poor in spirit, we receive power from God's Holy Spirit.

The Bible shows that economic disparity is a given. Scripture teaches that we should voluntarily help the poor rather than be coerced by the government.

The tithes did not belong to the Levites, but to God who commanded their services on behalf of the people. Refusal to tithe robs God.

We are commissioned to be generous in good works, whether it consists of money, time, or talent. Conduct now lays up treasure for the future.

Solomon counsels us to exercise diligence, work hard, plan for disruptions, obstacles, and roadblocks, spreading risk to work within this futile world.

Communism presents itself as high-minded in its redistribution of wealth, producing prosperity for all. However, reality belies collectivist theory.