Have you ever noticed how differently a group of women split their lunch check compared to a group of men?  Men will look at the total, do some very rough math and split the bill evenly.  Women, on the other hand, will account for every item consumed by each person at the table.  The check will be scrutinized.  Calculators will be involved.  Men would be mortified at this exercise.  Women act as though it was the most normal thing in the world.

Splitting the check with Jesus would look a little different.  He’d ask everyone for their wallets.  He’d examine the contents, smile at the pictures, empty out all the money, return the wallets and announce:  “Lunch is on me.”

When we think about giving to the church, sometimes we think like women at lunch:  What benefit am I getting out of this?  What goods do I consume that I should pay for? 

Or we think like men at lunch:  How much is the budget?  How many active members do we have?  What’s my fair share?

We need to think like Jesus at lunch.  Everything that we have is a gift from God.  Therefore, all that we have belongs to God.  We can give freely and without fear because we can rely on God to supply all our needs.  Lunch is on him.

Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

We give because we trust God with all that we have.  That’s what it means to give first fruits – the first part of the harvest.  If you’re a farmer who gives away the first fruits you’re trusting that the second harvest will be fruitful.  You are giving God the ‘bird in the hand’ and trusting God with your future.  Giving your first fruits is not just paying your fair share of the budget or giving to support the programs and ministries you use or like.  It’s an expression of your trusting relationship with God.  It’s an act of faith.

Prayer: Lord, all that I have is a gift from you.  Open my heart to trust you as the one who supplies all my needs so that I may give freely and faithfully out of the abundance of the blessings I have received.  Amen.