Try Me In This

Photo Copyright 2010 Alycia W. Morales

 

This past weekend, our pastor mentioned that he's heard of a few churches having to close their doors due to a decrease in giving since the economy soured. Or television broadcasts have been canceled. Or radio shows have come to a stop. Because people aren't tithing.

 

I don't intend for my blog to be a place to preach about tithing. That's every individual or husband and wife team's decision to make. However, it is a topic near and dear to my heart.

 

See, my husband and I know firsthand how important tithing is and what an incredible blessing it yields.

 

A tithe is 10% of a person's firstfruits. It's the first 10% of your paycheck. It's the first 10% of your inheritance. It's the first 10% of your monetary prize. Among other financial blessings.

 

My husband and I grasped early on what tithing meant. We faithfully write a check or withdraw the cash amount to drop in the offering plate each week. We get it when God says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse..." (Malachi 3:10a)

 

Are we perfect? No. Do we ever miss a week because things are super-duper tight? Yes. Do we miss paying our tithe frequently? No. Why? Because we know the benefits of bringing our tithes into the storehouse of God.

 

"That there may be food in My house..." (Malachi 3:10b) God requires us to bring in our tithe, so there may be food in His house. His house is the church, the body of Christ. Without the tithes, there is no food. Without the tithes, the church can't function. The bills don't get paid. The man of God doesn't get a salary. The church lacks. 

 

Food is the Word of God. It's what we come to church to hear. It's our spiritual supper on Sunday. Without the tithes and offerings, there is no food. We starve spiritually. 

 

By tithing, we provide the ability for the Word of God to go forth. When we neglect the tithe, we rob God ("But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings..." Malachi 3:8). His word can't go forth if the doors to the church aren't open.

 

"And try Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts,

 If I will not open for you the windows of heaven,

 And pour out for you such blessing

 That there will not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)

 

Vic and I tried God in the principle of tithing. We tithe. Faithfully. And He has blessed us. Just as the economy took its turn, God provided a steady job for my husband. 

 

He'd been a union carpenter, working, getting laid off, unemployment checks barely covering our expenses. Our mortgage was behind. Our oil tank running low. We struggled to make ends meet.

 

And then one day, oila! The windows of heaven break loose and my husband acquires a full-time position with a company as a field engineer. It requires him to use his brains more than his brawn. His body gets a break. It puts him in leadership. He finds favor with God and man. He loves it. It provides him rest and joy. Only God can do that. And only God can double one's income overnight. 

 

Yes, tithing works. Yes, God's word never comes back void. He does what He says He will do, if we'll only be faithful and obedient.

 

This week, we'll talk more about finances. I have a special guest blogger lined up for Friday, so watch for her post. She's kindly answered some questions about getting out of debt and saving money when financial times are tough. 

 

Do you have a tithing testimony to share? Please do! We'd love to hear from you!