"We have in our day no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.”

Daniel 3:38

Printed on our money are the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Is it really in God we trust or in the money? I know I struggle sometimes in putting my trust in the right place. On one hand, God has given us our talents to earn money and provide for important things like food, clothing, shelter, education. On the other hand, while God wants us to be prudent in earning money, he calls us to trust in him.

It is important to reflect on the role money plays in our lives. Jesus said that the love of money is the root of all evil. If I put my loving trust in money am I not really putting my trust in myself? Trusting in myself, what kind of security do I really have? I might provide for me and my loved ones physically but “physically” will be over in a few short years.

My father wanted to make a lot of money. His goal was to build a financial kingdom. In a lot of ways, he was really trusting in money and himself to the exclusion of God. His investments went south and we had to declare bankruptcy. He lost his money and his kingdom. It was probably one of the best things that ever happened to him and our family. It was a vivid opportunity for us to renounce the love and trust of money, put our trust in God and know that he provides eternal security. Ultimately, what we want most is the eternal provision only God can give and not the hundred years or less that money offers.

In Old Testament times we learn about “first fruits.” “First fruits” was based on the fact that any money earned was a gift from the hand of God and that God should be recognized for making it possible. Tithing was a practice in which you would give the first ten percent (first fruits) of what you made back to God. Tithing would draw the people back to put trust, not in money, but in God who provides for us in this life and the next.

There is the saying, “Put your money where your mouth is.” We say we have trust in God but a barometer that measures that trust is how we spend our money. Do we tithe? Do we give the first ten percent of our gross income to God to declare our trust in him? Most importantly, do we give what God is calling us to give? Money is telling. What we do with it tells us where we place our trust. If we really want to do what we say, if we really want to put our money where our mouth as one who trusts Jesus, tithe and give God the first ten percent of your gross income. More importantly, give God first claim to all you make and give the amount he wants you to give where he wants you to give. Giving God your first fruits is a powerful and tangible way to grow in trust of God.

God’s will!
+Fr. John