I must honestly thank my mother for introducing me to the idea of tithing (of course it was not her idea.) She knew all to well that God’s word was true.
My first Job was waiting tables. Mom encouraged me to tithe my money and by no means was I following Christ at that time in my life, but for some reason I listened to her advise and began to see God provide an obvious increase in my tips. Even as the restaurant business began to decline and fewer people came to dine my tips were always more than my co-workers. You see, we were constantly counting during our shifts and comparing what we collected. And we didn’t have to share it. Whatever we earned was ours. I also had watched as my mom faithfully give her tithes and offerings after my parents divorce. I can tell stories of God providing for us during that tough time.
I waited tables and completed the Cosmetology Program at Fayetteville Technical School. During that 12 months of my life I was able to completely pay for my school and purchase my first $400 vehicle that ran until I graduated. Then it blew up. But God had another waiting around the corner...a cool 1970 mustang! Well, It was cool to a 19 year old girl.
Tithing does reveal the condition of your heart but it is the only place in the Bible that God really challenges you to challenge Him. Tithing is a spiritual law and it just works whether you heart is in it or not. The law of sowing and reaping is the same way. Even when it comes to money. I still did not choose to follow Christ until a couple of years later but I continued to tithe because it worked. I feel kind of silly saying all this now but it’s what happened in my life.
So, parents your children are watching and listening and if you train them by example and also give them the opportunity to join you in giving, when they grow up they will remember seeing God provide. Trust me. God shows Himself to children in ways we overlook many times.
And if you're not tithing or you’ve just begun, don’t let your heart get in the way. Just do it whether you feel like it or not. I promise God will not let you down. Test Him!
Michelle
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