I feel like one of the bad reps churches get is about tithing. People don’t like that churches ask you for money. I know when I first started attending church the tithing part was hard. The first time I went I gave money because I didn’t want to be the odd one out that didn’t give. Then I realized that I would have to give every time I went. I didn’t get why, I just didn’t want to seem like I didn’t have money to easily give away.

Then the more I attended church the more sermons I came across about tithing. I started to understand that it really was in the Bible to tithe, but I still felt like it was a ploy to make sure everyone gave more money that day. And it was typically a day that I wasn’t really prepared to give, but felt like well I have to give now. How can you hear about tithing and how it’s part of obeying God and not give?

Then there were times that I felt like I barely had enough to give, and the amount I could give was so small it was embarrassing. For a long time, I based my tithing not on trying to obey God, but to avoid embarrassment.

It wasn’t until recently that I really became a cheerful giver. I really started to understand the purpose behind tithing and had a change of heart. I started really looking at my income received before attending church so that I could tithe the proper 10% no matter what the amount is. My heart has changed about giving and I’m excited that I feel comfortable writing the check and knowing that I’m planting a seed that will be returned to me. Even though I wasn’t always the most cheerful when it came to giving, I usually obeyed and would see wisdom come from it. Either a new opportunity came up or something worked out in a way that I knew it could only be God at work. With God there will always be enough and I’ve always had enough.

A couple of weeks ago, my Pastor talked about giving and how it gives resources to reach people. And I thought about how my life has changed so much since I first began going to church. I’m so thankful to be a part of a church that has taught me so much and I want to provide so that others can receive the same knowledge and opportunities I’ve had. I also heard one time that when you go to church it’s like attending a concert and receiving an education, why wouldn’t you pay for it?

And if you don’t go to church and don’t tithe, there are other ways to be a cheerful giver. It feels good when you give back to others with your time, money or other resources. When you trust that you have enough, it’s easier to be open to giving and feel cheerful about it.

Are you a cheerful giver? Tell me your experiences from giving in the comments.

Be you. Be*YOU*tiful.