Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Day 80: The Storehouse

Malachi 3:10
"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.  If you do,"says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in!  Try it!  Put me to the test!"

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Awesome!

I don't know about you (yes, it appears that I start all of these off like that...), but I don't raise a garden.  I don't have a cow. I don't have a chicken.  I don't have a little piglet.  All of my fruits and vegetables come from the store-- How they get there... I really don't want to know.

SO, according to this verse, we are off the hook, right?

I mean, I don't even know of a storehouse. My church certainly doesn't have a storehouse for food where the preacher goes to get his three meals a day.

I'm just being silly.. I know that you know as well as I do that God isn't just talking about food here, especially not in our day and time.

It's time to talk about that dreaded of topics--- Tithing.

I can feel you cringe.

Preachers don't like talking about it because it's kinda like you going to your boss and asking for money.  But it is an important part of ministry and following God.

Let me be very honest with you-- 2 weeks ago was the first time I had ever tithed.

I'll give you a minute to bring your jaw off of the floor.....

I've worked for 9 years.  We have struggled for money.  Often times, we had to dig into savings to make it though the month.  We have a larger family (well, large compared to family sizes now days).  I couldn't make myself tithe.

In fact, I'm ashamed to admit that one of my husband and my first fights was over tithing (He wanted too... and I didn't.)  I was scared.  I like the security of money.

Once I started writing this blog, I started seeing more and more about tithing in the Bible (coincidence? Probably not).  My husband and I started giving larger tips when we went out to eat.  I actually saw that the MORE we gave the MORE we had!

It seems like a mathmatical impossibility, but its true.  Since we started giving more in tips, we haven't had to dip into savings.

That lead to giving more in church and 2 Sunday's ago-- we took the plunge lol.

So far, so good.

I'm not worried about it.  I know God will take care of us.... and I know it was the right thing to do.  God didn't say give what you have left over.  He said give off the top.

I was reading in part of Malachi today where the people had no idea how they had upset God so much because they had offered sacrifices to Him like He wanted.  But God said (not a direct quote, btw), "Sure you sacrificed animals to me.  But they were mamed, had imperfections.  You didn't give off of the top--  You gave me your leftovers."

They were going through the motions, but none of it meant anything to God-- Well, I take that back.  It did mean something.  It meant that they didn't care.

I don't want God to think that I don't care-- and I told want to be lukewarm (or stale bread). 

I'll let you know at the end of the month (if I think of it), how it goes.  Like I said, I'm not worried about it.  It was actually kind freeing to give that to the church because, like I told my husband, if we didn't, it would go to something we didn't need anyway.....

God Bless You :)

Kelly

linked with: On Your Heart Tuesday

6 comments:

  1. Hi Kelly - you can't out give God. Its all His anyway. When you take the step of faith, He is waiting to bless. Obedience leads to blessing
    God bless
    Tracy

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  2. Good for you for stepping out in obedience. God will bless you for this. And thank you for your honesty!
    PS..thank you for linking back to my blog for On Your Heart Tuesday as well. Over half those who linked up with not so I want to make a point to say thank you :)

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  3. Congratulations !!!!! Im proud of you. I started tithing after the divorce. The ex wouldn't so once I was on my own I did. And I have never been without money, never been without anything I need. God is so good and you will see a big difference..... Love you

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  4. Kelly, I can tell you that it doesn't make sense, mathematically, but giving to God first does work. I can't say that you will suddenly have lots of money, but I can say that God is faithful and your needs will be met. He blesses us when we are obedient to Him. And giving our tithes is a sign of our trust and surrender to Him. Many blessings!

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  5. Lisa, lol, I'm not expecting a lot of money. I just want to do what I'm supposed to do.

    Kathy, *smooches* love you too.

    Shanda, of course I linked back. You are an awesome lady and i want to do my small part to let people know about your site.

    Tracy, well said :)

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  6. One thing I have learned about God and tithing over the years is that God's finances don't ever make human sense. He is faithful!!
    Visiting from On Your Heart Tuesdays. Thanks for posting this!
    Carrie

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