To Tithe

Give joyfully, right? To be completely honest with you it’s not always that easy. Don’t get me wrong I love to give. I would feed the world if I could, fix a friend’s car, or even pay off a debt for someone. It’s REALLY hard to do that though when you’re barely making ends meet. There have been times when I’ve had zero dollars in my account and I’m wondering, “How in the world am I going to feed my child today?” But do you know what? God has always provided for us. We have never gone hungry and have never been without the necessities of life. So where’s my faith?

I have been sustained in my life by the hands of those who gave in faith, gave joyfully, and gave from the abundance of their blessings. I too have given when I could, but my faith in tithing has always fallen short. Pay a bill or give my hard earned money away? Oh how the mind starts to ponder. Visions of late fees and an empty bank account spin around in my head until all logic wins, but every month it’s always there inside me… the desire to give. Weighing on my spirit not out of obligation but out of the inherit desire woven within my being. In quiet moments I sit and think of all the times in my life that God came through for me, even if it was at the last minute. He provided, always.

I am proud to say that over the past years I have come to know and have a very intimate relationship with Jehovah Jireh ~ the Lord will provide. We have met many times, often with me on my knees crying out in desperation. Again, where is my faith? Despite my stubbornness and pride I have grown a lot with Him and now when things go south I know in my heart that Jehovah Jireh will come to my side.  He always appears in some way, through some person, and by any means in which He chooses to reveal Himself at the time. And for this reason alone you would think that I would trust Him in all areas of my life, but it is a process and I am still clay in His hands. Slowly He is molding me in my faith and His purpose for me.

So this is the main reason why I put tithing at the top of my list. God’s business first and then mine. I’ve thought a lot about this and God knows my heart, so I am feeling pretty confident in my plan to tithe. So here it is…

In January I’m starting out at 3%. That’s roughly $30 a paycheck. I can do this. I will progress myself each month until I reach my 10%, and I have faith that God will provide for me in whatever I am lacking. I know it’s a step of faith and not a leap but that’s okay. Everyone’s different and I truly believe that you have to reach within yourself to find the answer that is right for you, because that is where God is, and His answer for you. And since I attend City Church Downtown I’ve decided that is where my money will go. They’ve even set it up so that I can give online so it really can’t get any easier than that. When I pay the rest of my bills online, I can submit my tithe on the website and it’s done. Peace of mind for me and blessings to someone else in need. No one can live in this world alone. We help to sustain each other and it is through our hands that God does His work. So if I am going to work let it be of purpose and let it grow into something bigger than just me.

Thing to remember: Jehovah Jireh ~ the Lord will provide.

Tomorrow: Paying Off Debt