Most of us base our relationship with God on our performance rather than His grace. If we perform well, we expect God to be happy with us. If we stumble, we brace for the worst.

What makes God happy? Is it our obedience, labor, purity, or sacrifice? 

Read Deuteronomy 14:24-26. It’s a passage about the Old Testament law and tithing, but it reveals much more about God’s liberating joy and extravagant kindness. God instructs the Israelites to set aside a tenth of everything they get, make or grow. Then He offers a surprising caveat. 

Deuteronomy 14:24 says, “Now when the Lord your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe.” 

You’re too far from the temple to bring God the tithe you owe Him. Here we expect God to say, “Get it here some other way or give it to the poor.” 

Instead, in verses 25-26, He instructs them to exchange the tithe for money, go wherever God leads, and spend it on whatever their heart desires. He tells the Israelites to feast, rejoice and celebrate.

Why? Because God doesn’t need our stuff. He wants us. And He wants us to remember that all we have is from Him. For this purpose, a joyful feast is as good as a tithe. Letting go of that little bit reminds us to trust Him for the rest.

God is ridiculously generous. He wants to be known and enjoyed by His generosity above all else. Jesus proved this. The work is finished. You don’t need to constantly try to earn His love. Trust God, thank Him, and celebrate. Normal, everyday life is the stuff of holiness.

Dig Deeper

Stop treating God like a boss, and instead, start living like a loved child. This month, take an ordinary moment, like eating dinner with your friends or enjoying a simple hobby, and thank God for it with intention. Recognize that enjoying His everyday gifts is a deeply holy act of joyful worship.

Prayer

Father, thank You for being ridiculously generous. Forgive me for trying to earn what You have already freely given. Help me to rest in Your grace, enjoy Your good gifts, and live my ordinary life as a joyful act of worship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Readings

Flower illustration by Lan Truong. Bible verse illustration by Lively Scout. This article was originally titled “Outrageous Generosity, Outrageous Freedom” in the September 2026 issue of Peer Magazine.