Reflecting on Giving

When my husband and I were first married, my husband accepted a job in Galesburg, IL. We are away from family and friends and knew that to find friends, we needed to find a church. We heard about a Baptist Church where the pastor walked back and forth across the platform and told jokes. This intrigued us and immediately loved the church. The pastor was short, and one leg was a bit shorter than the other, he indeed walked back and forth during his messages.

Every Sunday, without fail, he would challenge the congregation in tithing before the offering. He would tell us that if we tithe and God was not faithful to provide for our needs, to come see him. Well, that was a comforting thought. So we began tithing. We never had the opportunity to go see the pastor for that issue!

Tithing became a way of life for us, even when we went through marriage difficulties and things were bad between us, that tithe check set on the dresser to be delivered each Sunday morning.

When my husband and I finally parted ways, I stayed faithful to my tithing. Raising a child on my own was hard. Money was very tight. But God was faithful. We always had what we needed. There were times I held checks, and sometimes backed them up a few months so I would have a backup in my account, but the checks all went through. God has been faithful!

Now, with the ease of automatic withdrawal from savings or checking accounts, I have chosen to give through that option. Each Sunday I am thankful for being able to do that so I never forget to bring my check. I could choose to paypal and put it on my credit card. That’s great for those who like to build up points from their credit cards.

Giving to the church is required by God, (Deut. 14:22) and with it comes benefits! If this is a new idea to you, try starting small. But if you really want to stretch – Give God the full amount each month and praise him for all the benefits He provides you through your willing obedience.