The "tithe," from the Old English word "toethe" means "tenth." One-tenth of our income, returned to God in worship-this is his basic expectation for every believer. But some object to this expectation today. They say tithing is legalism, the product of the Jewish law.

God's supreme gift to his people is himself. He gave his Son for us, sending him to die in our place so our sins could be forgiven (Jn 3:16). He has made us his children by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9), giving us new life in his Spirit (Ro 8:9).

Jesus began his public ministry by issuing this proclamation: "The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mk 1:15; cf. Mt 4:17). He ended his ministry with the same theme and priority: "He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God" (Ac 1:3). The kingdom of God was Jesus' focus and passion. So, what is the "kingdom of God"?

When Jesus defeated Satan's attacks, the enemy "left him until an opportune time" (Lk 4:13). If our Lord faced temptation, so will we. The devil is very real, and he hates you. You are his enemy. Jesus warned us that the devil is a "murderer from the beginning," and "a liar and the father of lies" (Jn 8:44). He is a "roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8). He tempts and deceives every one of us.

Blaise Pascal, the mathematical and spiritual genius, believed that "all the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit quietly for a while each day in our rooms." Oswald Chambers agreed: "Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished. We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible's idea of prayer is that we may get to know God himself." How can we know our Father more fully, by praying more effectively?

We can afford to be spectators in some areas of our lives. But not with our souls. You and I will each stand personally before the God of the universe one day, to give account for the years he gave us to live.

God's will is bigger and more exciting than any we can imagine for ourselves (cf. 1 Cor 2:9). Living in his will is the key to living the abundant life Jesus came to give (Jn 10:10). The most common question I've been asked as a pastor is appropriate and urgent: how can I know the will of God for my life?