I look forward to seeing my sister and her family for many reasons, not the least of which are the lessons on God's love that Max, my nephew, is sure to teach me.

I had confessed to Max's father Ted that I struggle with the concept of tithing. "I know that we're called to be cheerful givers, "I said, "but it often seems like a choice−tithe or help my son with college expenses. I don't know how to do both."

Ted told me that he and my sister had gone through the same struggle last winter. They just didn't see how they could be generous to God and still provide for their children. What they didn't know was Max, playing nearby, had overheard part of the conversation. "What is a tithe?" he asked his father as he skipped into the room.

When Ted explained the concept of giving ten percent of our money to God, Max was amazed. "Wow," he said. "you mean that God lets us keep ninety percent of everything?" Then he raced away to resume his play.

Max had it right. A tithe is an example of God's generosity, not ours. Any child of God should be able to see that.