Now that the pressure is off, and I finally accepted the idea of writing on obedience…I’m finding there are a few more thoughts bouncing around in my head…
While preparing to write the post for the blog carnival, I came across some scriptures on giving (tithes). This brought to mind a story that had a huge impact in my life…
Luke 6:38 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 with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
During the difficult days of having a toddler, an infant, and a husband with cancer…obviously everything in life was extremely complicated. We’d made the decision for me to stay home with our children, and were making the necessary sacrifices for this to work. When the hubby was diagnosed and was told he couldn’t leave the house to work during his 8 months of chemo (his immune system was shot), this cinched an already tight belt to a notch that was almost unbearable. 
Somehow we managed to get by (with lots of prayers, generosity and love), and almost one year after this roller-coaster ride began, we were able to get back to our church family a few weeks before Christmas. During those twelve(ish) months we were mostly home-bound, our income was minimal…we were living on disability pay and some vacation pay/time that was donated by some amazing co-workers…but my husband was adamant that we continue to tithe. I was still a baby Christian, and hadn’t yet established how this act of obedience made me feel. All I knew is that we were drowning and I was bobbing around attempting to keep my head above water!
After being away from our church family for so long, we were immediately and warmly embraced as we entered the doors. As worship was about to begin, a couple at our church (they have children about the same age as the hubby and I) approached us saying they’d like to talk to us after service was over. We said fine and quickly got settled in our seats.
As the sermon ended and it was time for an offering, I got my purse out and glanced over at my hubby, flashing him a very uncertain look. He nodded at me in a reassuring way, realizing I was struggling with handing over what felt like a huge sum of money (especially so near Christmas). I took a deep breath and as the basket went by, I forced my hand to let go and to trust that being obedient was the right thing to do.
Once the group that had surrounded around us after church had dispersed, we began gathering up our things to leave when the couple from earlier came over to talk with us. They told us that they’d been praying for us and that God had placed on their hearts to do more than pray. At this point they handed us an envelope, gave us each a hug and walked away.
After we got the kids all buckled into their carseats and settled in ourselves, we decided to open the card. Inside was a beautiful note, accompanied by the same amount of cash that we’d just given in our tithe. We both sat in the car, crying tears of joy…not only for the money that was so desperately needed, but because it was abundantly clear our obedience had been rewarded.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
From that moment on, no matter how tight things are in our finances (or lack thereof), I never question writing that check. I won’t lie and say I’m always a ‘joyful’ giver, but it is given out of love…not out of a sense of duty!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Your friends were very kind. They must love you and your family a lot.
Oh, I love this. I’ve had the same experience with tithing. It’s so hard to be obedient sometimes. Especially when the world is telling us one thing, and our faith is telling us another.
Thanks for sharing it so beautifully.
Bridget, This brought tears to my eyes. The beauty of God’s grace. ‘Brings to mind this phrase from Ephesians: “…in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” How lavish the God who understands our needs. Not only for daily bread, but also for knowing and trusting Him more.
i can relate with your reactions. a few years back when i was still in college, i ran out of allowance for almost two weeks. i stayed at the university dormitory at that time and i’ve just been attending that university for three months. i had no close friends, i had nowhere to go. on the night when i was about to go to bed hungry, a high school classmate knocked on my door and told me he’s been looking for me. he handed me his meal ticket in the cafeteria and told me i could use it for free for as long as i want. i was stunned. when he left, i shut my door and cried for a while before going out and had my first miracle dinner.
Obedience in every form is a powerful thing. My wife and I found early on in our marriage (still in college then found out we were pregnant on our year anniversary) that if we would tithe, somehow the dollars seemed to stretch. When we didn’t, it was eaten up. We saw it so clear and it’s never been a struggle to give since.
I’ve had the same experience you did with a large offering we felt were supposed to give though it was pretty much all we had. We gave it in obedience and right after service, someone came up and said that God had told them to give us a check (and it was for the same amount). ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus…
God is AWESOME!!!
…and I love it when his children obey him!
Wow, I love that so many of you have experienced similar blessings and shared them here!
To quote Peter….God is AWESOME!!!