Is it harder to give cheerfully when the economy is down and money is tight?  Part of me says it is easier to give cheerfully when there is extra money.  If I hear about a ministry need that touches my heart and it is towards the end of the pay cycle and I have money left in my account, it is easier for me to give to that need.  I can even tell myself, "God has given me some extra money this week/month just so I could give to a need like this!"
     But when I am in the middle of a pay cycle and the money is running thin and I still have some bills to pay, it is easy for me put off making a decision to give to a special ministry need until the opportunity for giving passes.  You may be more spiritual than me (wouldn't surprise me if you were), but that is the honest truth.  It is easier for me to give -tithe and beyond tithe - when there is extra money.
     Though easier to give when there is extra money, I've chosen to give 10% off the top to God and to give to other ministry needs as God prompts my heart.  I've even gotten to the point that when prompted by God to give extra, I don't usually ask what the balance on the Talley checking account is.  I just talk with Cindy, and we write the check. 
     The longer I am in ministry, the more I see a relationship between giving to God and trusting God.