Is tithing a good deal?

Dear On Fire Servants for Jesus Christ, it is good to be in a place to be able to write an encouraging word to you today. I am getting settled in a new assignment to Deerfield UMC in Boone NC. The people here have been so helpful in getting starting in this new ministry. They have worked tirelessly on a huge parsonage renovation project and the work is really nice. We look forward to a new school year beginning as the Appalachian Students head our way. It is my hope that Deerfield UMC will be a place they can call home while they study here.  The church is in a great location only 2 miles from the campus. I have learned that living in the clouds literally means that when driving, visibility may go away at just about any time. I have also been able to apply the old saying may the road rise up to meet you and may the wind always be at your back. On some of the roads, it does seem like the road disappears as it takes a sharp turn or drops off more than you can see.  For now, praise the Lord for the 64 degree night here last night. I am loving the break from the heat.
     For worship yesterday, the message was on the Luke lectionary passage from Luke 12 about our connection to our possessions. We strive so hard to get more stuff we have to figure out what to do with it. We can always use a bigger barn.  Do you own your possessions or do they own you? The point of this passage is to be in a right relationship to our possessions, and not let them have dominion over our lives. It was a good time to teach about tithing and showing God that we sincerely want to make every effort to be in a right relationship with all that He has given us by thanking him with our tithe first. In explaining to the kids during the children's time what a tithe was by using 10 dimes, I showed them that one dime would be God's and the rest would be ours to spend however we wanted to spend them. Then I asked them it they thought that was a good deal. They all agreed it was a really good deal. Then I asked them what they thought would be a better deal, so one of the children said to give God 5 dimes and keep 5 dimes. I hope that when I grow up, I can be just like them. They really preached the sermon yesterday. Praise the Lord for the children.  Lift up your hearts.