There is a myth that we need to expose if we are to nurture the holy habit of generosity.  Some Christians believe that the most important aspect of giving is the feeling or attitude attached to the act.  We cite 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  This often gets translated, "God wants me to give, but He wants me to give cheerfully.  So, if I cannot give cheerfully, it is better for me not to give at all."  Good people, who are trying to avoid rule-based giving, make this the rule for their giving.    

In his December 2008 Christianity Today article, "Scrooge Lives", Rob Moll notes that this attitude leads people to give in much the same way that they spend: "haphazardly and without intention."  Some give "only when the urge strikes."  It is hard to be cheerful or to be struck with the urge to give if a person feels financially strapped.  Even if there is a little money left over at the end of the week or month, some are reluctant to give it, afraid that something may come up that would require the money.  Since God doesn't want people to give "reluctantly," they reason that they are better off not giving.  Instead we wait for the time when we will have plenty to give, when we have leftovers, so that we can give cheerfully.  

There a several issues in this line of thinking that need to be addressed (such as creating an intentional spending plan that puts giving at the top of my budget list, something Dave Ramsey rightly insists on), but I want to suggest that consistent giving--holy-habit giving--is joy-producing rather than joy-stifling.  God's commands for tithes, offerings, and firstfruits in the Old Testament ensured that people would do the very thing they were created to do--acknowledge Him as the source of life and enjoy it on His terms, which are always the best terms.  Tithes, offerings, and firstfruits were built into the rhythm and routine of life for Israel, and joyful celebration and feasting at harvest time was a part of this (Deuteronomy 26:1-15). 

There is great joy in giving God our firstfruits rather than our leftovers.  God is the greatest Treasure, the one worth selling everything for, and therefore the one worthy of everything I have.  He is our Best and is worthy of our best.  He is First and is worthy of our firsts.  He is the Life-Giver and is worthy to have my whole life--money and all--returned to Him cheerfully.  He is our Love and the One to whom we love to give.  The holy habit of generosity is a primary way that I show I believe this.