Our human emotions were deposited in us by God, so obviously feeling and expressing emotions are not negative things.  However, we have to be careful that our emotions aren’t ruling our lives and negatively affecting our decision making.  God uses tests to reveal to us where we are or how our lives are governed (emotions vs. our spirits).  While emotions toward God are perfectly fine, they can sometimes mislead us to think we’re on the right path as it relates to spiritual things.  It is possible to feel love towards God and people alike, but those emotions/feelings of love are actually not genuine.  This is where the test can help differentiate between genuine love vs. superficial love.  You may be asking, “What test?”  The test of giving – is there giving attached to your love?  If not, then your emotions or love are not genuine.  1 John 3:16 is a perfect illustration of a genuine love.  It explains Jesus laying down/giving His life for us; He gave his life for us – ultimately giving us life.  It was a choice He made out of a genuine love for us.

This principle of love for God is very parallel to the love we have for other people.  We feel emotions/love towards people, but we can test that love by our giving.  Let’s examine this.  When you’re in a position to help, do you help or turn your back on someone in need?  Husbands and wives, do you freely give to your spouse?  Fathers, are you consistent with child support for the child that does not live in your household?  These are just a few gauges that can help you identify your position in your love walk.  In life, God will present us many opportunities to show love towards Him and others.  He does this because true love goes beyond confessions and expresses itself through giving.

Tithing is a powerful gauge that Christians can use to test their love towards God.  Malachi 3:10 states to, “Bring the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  When the choice is made to actually tithe, a Christian moves from a position of confessing love for God to expressing/demonstrating love towards God.  Yes – the tithe is the test.  So, make a quality decision now to demonstrate your love for God and go beyond just confessions or words.  In making this decision, God will make it a priority of His to give you grace to give.  He will supply you with every resource needed to be the cheerful giver He delights in. 

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