It’s that time of year. Budgets are being formed. Stewardship programs are being discussed and initiated. This year, many are going to struggle with what they can do in regards to their giving because of the uncertainty in our economy. Will gas go to $5 a gallon (or more)? Will my grocery bill skyrocket? I understand those concerns…they are mine, too. Does that mean I will lower my giving? NO! I believe that God will meet my needs. That being said, I also know that some things that I have taken for granted in the past I will no longer be able to do. I will eat out less. I will shop more carefully (impulse buying must be limited.) I will “make do” with certain things I may have replaced in the past. Why? Because I want to make sure that I am doing everything within my power to be an example to my flock that giving matters.
Does God need my money? Of course not. But we need to give. We need to honor God with our offerings—especially in the tough times. Malachi tells us, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Do you really think that hanging on to a few extra dollars will help us as much as the FLOODGATES of heaven being opened up to us? I hope not! Does that mean that when I tithe, I will never have any financial problems? No, it doesn’t. The blessings of God are not always financial ones. Sometimes the blessings come in the form of good health so that I don’t have to spend money on doctors or drugs. Sometimes the blessings of God are families that grow closer together. There is an example of that in my congregation. When a man was out of work for a short time, they canceled their cable TV to save some money. They read books together and played games together. When the man started his new job (closer to home and with better pay and hours) they chose not to reinstall the cable. They found that they really liked that family time more than the TV shows they used to watch. Blessings are abundant when we trust God and do what he commands us to do!
So, how about you? Are you more worried about the economy, or more convinced in the blessings of God? Me, I’m sticking with God!
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1 comment:
Well said. I never thought I could tithe because it seems we often had to live paycheck to paycheck, but when we tried it we didn't seem to miss the money. If everyone would just give it a try for a few months they may be surprised. I was.
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