| Edition #08-25 |
Really, that is NOT a question we should ask ourselves! It should be an established fact in our lives.
Many times, people ask what the purpose of tithing is. Sometimes they try to explain that it passed
away with the Old Testament (it didn't). Often the questions are posed because someone is trying
to get out of "paying tithes."
Tithing is from the heart. We tithe (give 10 percent) because we love God and we want to obey
Him. For today, I am simply going to tell you a story which will tell you why I made the determination
to tithe, no matter what. The story is based on Malachi 3:10-11a:
Josh was 4 or 5 years old (20 years ago). We lived in our FHA home and finances were pretty tight.
I had just heard a sermon on tithing and the woman made the statement that she and her husband
had decided that even if there was no food in their house, they would always tithe no matter what.
Because they made that decision, they were never without food again.
That struck me so strongly that I told God the same thing. I began faithfully tithing (as opposed to
the hit and miss I used to do - you know, tithing until something goes wrong and you "need" that
money). After about 6 months, there came a day when I had no food in the cupboard. Well, I had a
loaf of bread and a bottle of catsup. That is all.
Josh loved catsup so I made him a catsup sandwich. He thought that was just fine. In the
meantime, I was praying for all I was worth. I still had over a week left before payday. I kept
reminding God, "I am a tither. You promised you would provide meat for my house. You promised
that you would rebuke the devil and keep him from devouring my goods. I'm down to catsup
sandwiches here, God. I need help!"
This was not the most faith-full prayer, but it was where I was back then.
Later that day, a friend of mine called the house. She was moving from one end of town to the
other and asked me if she could come by and bring a few things out of her freezer to me. She
didn't want to move the stuff to the new house. I didn't know what she was bringing but I was
hopeful!
When she got to my house, she brought in 3 huge 13 gallon garbage bags full of groceries. There
was everything from canned goods to frozen meat, vegetables, and fruit. There was enough food
there to feed us for a long time. I started crying and when she asked why, I explained that we were
down to catsup sandwiches. She then began crying and said that she almost didn't call me
because she thought I would be insulted at the offer of her "old" food. Once we both saw God's
hand, we rejoiced and thanked Him for His faithfulness to me.
God is faithful. And in the times we are living in, it is even more important than ever to obey God,
especially in the area of tithing. It is for our benefit and something you will never regret.
Scriptural Basis
Malachi 3:10-11
Luke 6:38
Inspiration Copyright © 2008 Nan C Loyd
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Many times, people ask what the purpose of tithing is. Sometimes they try to explain that it passed
away with the Old Testament (it didn't). Often the questions are posed because someone is trying
to get out of "paying tithes."
Tithing is from the heart. We tithe (give 10 percent) because we love God and we want to obey
Him. For today, I am simply going to tell you a story which will tell you why I made the determination
to tithe, no matter what. The story is based on Malachi 3:10-11a:
Josh was 4 or 5 years old (20 years ago). We lived in our FHA home and finances were pretty tight.
I had just heard a sermon on tithing and the woman made the statement that she and her husband
had decided that even if there was no food in their house, they would always tithe no matter what.
Because they made that decision, they were never without food again.
That struck me so strongly that I told God the same thing. I began faithfully tithing (as opposed to
the hit and miss I used to do - you know, tithing until something goes wrong and you "need" that
money). After about 6 months, there came a day when I had no food in the cupboard. Well, I had a
loaf of bread and a bottle of catsup. That is all.
Josh loved catsup so I made him a catsup sandwich. He thought that was just fine. In the
meantime, I was praying for all I was worth. I still had over a week left before payday. I kept
reminding God, "I am a tither. You promised you would provide meat for my house. You promised
that you would rebuke the devil and keep him from devouring my goods. I'm down to catsup
sandwiches here, God. I need help!"
This was not the most faith-full prayer, but it was where I was back then.
Later that day, a friend of mine called the house. She was moving from one end of town to the
other and asked me if she could come by and bring a few things out of her freezer to me. She
didn't want to move the stuff to the new house. I didn't know what she was bringing but I was
hopeful!
When she got to my house, she brought in 3 huge 13 gallon garbage bags full of groceries. There
was everything from canned goods to frozen meat, vegetables, and fruit. There was enough food
there to feed us for a long time. I started crying and when she asked why, I explained that we were
down to catsup sandwiches. She then began crying and said that she almost didn't call me
because she thought I would be insulted at the offer of her "old" food. Once we both saw God's
hand, we rejoiced and thanked Him for His faithfulness to me.
God is faithful. And in the times we are living in, it is even more important than ever to obey God,
especially in the area of tithing. It is for our benefit and something you will never regret.
Scriptural Basis
Malachi 3:10-11
Luke 6:38
Inspiration Copyright © 2008 Nan C Loyd
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
| To Tithe or Not to Tithe? |
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Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and
prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes...
prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes...
