Many organizations use donated money to continue the organization and solicit more money for growth. This means is not limited to just churches or ministries. Political, social, medical, and other organizations ask for money so that they can further their agendas, whatever they might be. Those running these organizations will have to answer to God as to the true purpose of their work. Therefore, we will not comment on whether or not their work is parallel with God's plan.

     The following answer will, however, be centered on what and how an individual tries to give or does not give. We will look at what God really did when He gave the commandment to tithe. In doing so, He linked giving to love. The process of giving is a spin-off from love, not lust. Love gives of itself; lust takes for itself. When the word love is used here, it refers to God's love which embodies the fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

      With the introduction behind us, there is the word "tithe." It simply means a tenth of one's gain, no more and no less. It could be a tenth of a harvested wheat crop, a tenth of services provided to a person, a tenth of take home pay, or a tenth of anything a person actually receives.

     The word "tithe" is first seen in the laws God gave to Moses for Israel. "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD." (Leviticus 27:30)

     When God started the tithing system, He had already divided the Israelites into twelve tribes. One tribe He set apart to do His work, Levites. The Levites were not allowed to own land. Therefore, they could not have crops, cattle, fruit trees, etc. They had no means of gain or income except what God provided to them. So, God commanded that the other eleven tribes and the Levites give a tenth of all their gain to Him. A tenth is easier to calculate than an eleventh or twelfth.

     Then, He established a means for the Levites to have what was given to Him. God did not need it. However, God wanted the tithe given to Him first, not to the Levites, so that the people would keep His commandments and, thereby, show their love for Him. He wanted them to give Him their treasure. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) You can read about how God set this up in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. The tithe was to promote God and His work among the people. It also kept their minds on God since He was getting a tenth of their treasure.

     Now that you know what tithing is about, giving will be the next subject. Christians are not under the Mosaic Law as were the Israelites. But, God has not changed and neither has man. Man's heart is still where his treasure is.

     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 marvelled 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)