A Newbie Tither
Spring 1997
Introduction
I’d gotten saved in February of 1997. In March of that year, God started talking to me about my finances. I knew I needed to give to God - not because He needs it, but because it was an indication of where my heart was (Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”).
The problem was, I was already overspending my modest income. In addition, I’d amassed a debt that was approximately equal to half a year’s salary.
Starting to Tithe
The thing is - it is never a “good” time to start tithing (giving 10% to the Lord), but yet the bible tells us to do it. As a matter of fact, God tells us to test Him in this area! (Malachi 3:10: “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.”)
I decided at the very least I could start giving $5 each time I went to church. My logic was that if I weren’t at church I would have likely rented a movie and gotten something to munch on. So the $5 was money not spent.
After a couple weeks, I’d increased it to $10 a service and then a week or two later I was giving a half-tithe (5%). It was at that time that crisis struck.
Unexpected Expenses
I got a couple unexpectedly high bills in the mail - they equaled 1.5 months salary! There was no earthly way that I could pay them and I knew it. So I took it to God.
I said that I knew I wasn’t doing a whole tithe yet, but He knew my heart and knew I was giving even more than I thought I was able. I reminded Him that He told us to test Him in this area. I asked Him to help me. And help He did.
Unexpected Cash Flow
I had two weeks to come up with the money. Within that two-week timeframe I got an unexpected tax refund, won several classifications in a digital imaging contest, and got a check from my college roommate who three years earlier had accepted a camera from me promising to “pay when she could”. The total came to $50 over the amount I needed! It was as if God said, “Not only will I meet your need, but I’ll give you enough to go out to eat as well!”
Conclusion
Yes, you could argue that this worked out all as a “lucky” coincidence, but frankly the likelihood that that is the case is probably less statistically likely than that there is a God who is true to His word. I’ve seen Him come through in similar fashion too often in my life to believe it’s all by accident. I know who He is and I trust Him.
