| Tithing - A Love Story |
 |
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.”
First of all, tithing is from the heart. We tithe (give 10 percent) because we love God and we want to obey Him. And
while God loves unconditionally and salvation is for everyone, His promises are conditional. You know, promises like,
“GIVE and it shall be given unto you…” (Luke 6:38). You do your part first.
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:
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…
My son was 4 or 5 years old. We lived in our FHA home and finances were pretty tight. I had just heard a sermon on
tithing and the preacher 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, though, they were never
without food.
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.
My son 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-filled 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 the 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. Once I began tithing faithfully, I was never without from that day to this one. I will never NOT tithe. He’s
just been too good to me.
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.