God is the ultimate designer and the ultimate physician—a “heart surgeon.” He knows exactly how we are built, and He also knows how easily we can become distracted. He designed us to prioritize the spiritual over the temporary, ensuring that when we put first things first, our hearts receive the abundant life He intends for us.
The Heart’s True Location
The core principle for true living is found in Scripture: “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This isn’t just a life lesson; it is a description of how God performs heart surgery. We have the choice to place our time, talent, and treasure into things that ultimately do not matter—things that will be subject to “moths” or “rust” and cause decay. God does not want decay for our inner lives, and this is why setting priorities is paramount.
When we struggle with the concept of giving, it’s easy to miss the purpose. Giving is not about meeting God’s financial needs; He is sovereign. Instead, the act of giving is for our benefit, as it “opens us up for what he has for us.”
“When we put our heart into what we give, He changes our perspective about what we see around us.”
We dedicate immense time and energy to worrying about money, often leading to heartache when we feel lack. Giving transforms this perspective, training us to live with “open hands, open eyes, and open minds” to clearly see what God is doing in the world.
The Complete Surrender: Heart, Soul, and Mind
The greatest commandment calls for us to give God our entire “heart, soul, and mind.” This is the deeper work of heart surgery, challenging our tendency to hold back and view percentages, like the tithe, as a ceiling instead of a floor.
The purpose of a standard like the tithe was a gift for us, a practical tool to help us remember that God demands all of our being, not just a portion.
- The Heart (Our Emotions): Our heart is tied to our emotions. When we give God “everything”—our affections, our feelings, our fears—He promises, “I can do heart surgery on you.”
- The Soul (Our Will): Our soul represents our will, our inner decision-maker. When we align our will with His, we stop focusing on the logistics of how much we have to give. We choose to put first things first and, as a result, we experience life in a “whole new light,” whether we are in a season of suffering or success.
- The Mind (Our Intellect): God knows we are cerebral and desires that we dedicate our thoughts to Him. When we dedicate our mind, we stop scrutinizing or becoming skeptical of the call to give. Our perspective is completely changed because God has done the necessary heart surgery, enabling us to give openly and freely.
Practical Obedience: Set It and Forget It
The practical application of this principle requires actionable faith—we must “set it and forget it.”
This means establishing a system where giving is the very first thing that comes out of your household’s finances each month. This automation is an act of obedience that honors God’s expectation for first things first and the dedication of all.
The result of this faithful obedience is seeing the tangible growth of the Kingdom of God. Your commitment allows ministry to expand, enabling transformative moments like seeing people accept Christ.
While it may be difficult for our human nature to always envision heaven breaking into earth, this is where faith must kick in. When you are faithful and obedient with your giving, time, and talent, God promises to multiply it in your own life and in the lives of those around you.
