Let’s play the “what if” game.
What if I tithed and God never blessed me for it?
What if I tithed and the pastor ran off to the Caribbean with “my” money?
What if I tithed and nothing good ever happened?
The primary reason that Kris and I tithe is out of obedience. However, we have experienced personal blessings because of our faithfulness. Here are a few of examples of how God has blessed our family through the tithe.
Not long after Kris and I married, we lost a major aircraft management contract that put food on our table at the time. Since people weren’t chomping at the bit to buy airplanes, we depended solely on the management of this aircraft.
We had just returned from celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday on a cruise. We lived it large on the high seas. I even purchased my 3 month old baby girl a Burberry dress. It was fabulous. And, these cost just a wee bit more than those princess nightgowns. The day we returned from our fun in the sun and frolicsome expenditures, we get the call. No more contract.
I turned to Kris and said, “That contract is not our source, God is. We have been faithful givers, and He will not forsake us now.”
He didn’t. Two weeks later aircraft sales picked up and we made in one sale what that contract provided for one year. Whew and Amen.
Here is another important point. Tithing does not make you immune to financial struggles, as stated in yesterday’s post. A lot of factors contribute to a hurting bank account – the economy, unexpected emergencies or events, frivolous spending, or simply poor money management. We’ve all been affected by one or all of the above. But, God will not leave the righteous forsaken or a seed out begging for bread.
Such was the case a couple of years ago, when a large debt exceeded our bank account. A couple of the above factors contributed to our lack of preparation. Kris and I took a deep breath, thanked God for our health, and called on Him. Money didn’t pour out from the clouds. But, He began to direct our paths and show us how to make the money to pay our debt. And, we did.
Now, I could take you way back to growing up in ministry and watching God provide for my family time after time because of the simple act of giving ten percent. Like the time we used one of those propane gas tanks and it was on empty. A lack of funds kept the house cold for a couple of days until someone showed up at the door with enough money to fill that tank again….just because, God led them to give it.
Then, there was the time that I was looking for a teaching a job, and I reminded God of my faithfulness in giving (just in case He had forgotten.) That afternoon, a principal calls and offers me a job.
When I was pregnant with John Henry and single, my budget was, well, itty bitty. I never stopped tithing. As a matter of fact, I gave above and beyond the ten percent. After John Henry was born, another couple felt led to supply diapers for one year! And, in spite of a modest bank account, we never, ever lacked.
I’ve asked Kris to give his own personal thoughts on tithing. Here ya go, from Mr. Takle himself….unedited J
“Tithing establishes and strengthens your faith in God. Too many people look at tithing as ‘what’s my return on investment or ROI’. Tithing is not a financial transaction where you are buying something for ‘x’ dollars and getting ‘x’ dollars back. I believe that tithing strengthens your relationship with God, your relationship with the Church – the community of believers, and your relationship with your family. It is my goal to always give above and beyond the tithe. I want my children to always see us blessing the church and others so that they, too, will grow up to be a blessing.”
Our list of personal experiences with being faithful with what belongs to God could go on and on. We are continually amazed at God’s unfailing mercies and blessings.
Now, could we still be blessed financially and otherwise without tithing? It’s possible.
But, again, tithing is central to my relationship with God. And, I’m not willing to risk it.
Do you have any personal experiences where God has blessed you because of the tithe?
DustyTakle.com 