So here is a question for you…

Let’s assume that you faithfully tithe 10% to your home church. Now let’s assume that God has placed a burden upon your heart to give more…Above and Beyond…and He has even placed an amount upon your heart. And this amount is a monthly amount, not a one-time gift…a monthly amount that you will give for several years to come.  Now let’s assume that this amount is way outside of your ability to give. Let’s assume that if you were to give this amount it would mean sacrificing something else…more than just cable, or a magazine subscription, or a few dinners out…it would mean using up your savings, or moving to smaller home or giving up a car. Let’s say it would mean a huge change in lifestyle. What do you do?

Do you step out in faith and trust that God will meet your needs?

Do you ignore the prodding?

Do make a deal (compromise) and tell God you will give what you can?

Now assume that you don’t tithe 10% and God is calling you to not only tithe 10%, but to also give above and beyond…but there is no room in your budget to give anything – maybe a few bucks here and there - but not 10% and certainly not above and beyond. What do you do? According to God you are upside down because the order should be

1.  Tithe

2.  Save

3.  Everything else

What do you do?

Before you answer, take a good look at your heart…really ponder this, think about the cost of sacrifice, think of something that you would have to sacrifice, then think about how your spouse would respond – would he/she follow your lead? Would your spouse be happy giving up what you have asked them to give up? And then, once you have pondered all of this and taken a good long look at your heart respond and let me know, What would you do?

“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?  Jesus replied.  ‘There is only One who is good.  If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.’ ‘Which ones?’ the man inquired.  Jesus replied, ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’  Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.’”  -Matthew 19:16-21

“Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.  But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ ‘Will a man rob God?  Yet you rob me.’  But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ ‘In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse-the whole nation of you- because you are robbing Me. …Test me in this,’ Says the Lord Almighty, ‘And see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” –Malachi 3:7-10

blessings,

dani

Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For the with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. –Luke 6:38