Here's a little snack: As we discovered in yesterday's snack, the condition of the heart will determine the attitude of our giving. The theme of heart correctness is overwhelmingly obvious as we examine our text. Even the first two words help to eliminate a corrupt heart: "Every man..." How easy it is to find an excuse to exempt ourselves from tithing: "My bills are too great for me to tithe." "I have responsibilities that wont allow me to be a giver." "My income is so small, it wont make a difference anyhow." Perhaps you can dream of many other excuses to be disobedient in your giving. "Every man..." eliminates any loop holes that we may be inclined to discover.
"...according as he purposeth in his heart,". What a beautiful entrance into giving! Like majestic pearls lining a palace gate, cheerfulness hangs off the heart of purpose. The idea is that each man has authority over his own heart of giving. In other words, no other person has authority to decide the state of your heart but you. You have control over the emotion of your giving. You decide if your giving will be done grudgingly or cheerfully. Therefore, if your attitide of giving is sour, it is in your control to change it. You can not blame anyone else for the emotion of your heart. With purpose, you can decide how you are going to give.
God does not need our money. Our giving doesn't add equity to the Kingdom of Heaven; giving is for our benefit. So, what is your attitude concerning giving. The condition of your heart is in your control. Give cheerfully!
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