As Christians we say we trust in the Lord; the Lord will provide. But I think one of the real tests of our faith is being obedient in tithing and offerings. Now, many people will say that they would do it if they could. I know a lot of people live from paycheck to paycheck. Believe me; I have worried at times that if I lost my job, I might be out on the street. But the Bible says to give unto the Lord what is the Lord’s. God gives us everything we have. To some He gives more or less, according to our needs. Tithing requires faith. I have been tithing for two years now, but before that I was afraid to try it. I live on one income and money is tight. But the Lord says in Matthew 6:30, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

After listening to other people’s testimonies of how God is faithful to us when we are faithful to Him, I became curious. A friend told me how when he gave his last $20 as an offering, each Monday for the following weeks he would continue to find a 20 dollar bill in his wallet. I’ve heard from some people of how when they needed to pay a bill, out of the blue they received a check from an insurance claim, or refund check for the exact amount. I realized I had my own testimony of how God had provided for me all these years I’d been living on my own. When I started out, I wasn’t making that much money, however my rent payment was more than half of my paycheck. Eventually my rent doubled but my paycheck didn’t. Each time my rent went up, I was afraid, however I always seemed to be able to pay it and the rest of my bills, and I never went hungry. I realized God has been providing for me all along. Testimonies like this of how God takes care of us inspired me to start tithing and to put my trust in the Lord.

I started tithing as God asks of us. I began to look at my money as a gift from God. So when I made a commitment to tithe every month and give offerings, even though I was worried about how I was going to pay for this or that, I saw how God provided. All of a sudden I got a big raise at work, without even asking for it! And then another! If I gave an offering using the money I was going to use for lunch that day or for the coming week, I would either get taken out to lunch, or there would be lunch left over from a meeting so I wouldn’t have to buy lunch. I was looking into buying a computer for at home but it was too expensive, and one day my boss told me that she was going to get me a laptop to use. I knew that was from God! In short, I noticed that whenever I gave, God would give back. And He continues to bless me.

Now, I’m not saying God doesn’t bless us if we don’t tithe. I’m just saying that He pours out His blessings when we do. God says in Malachi 3:10, “Bring all your tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and TRY ME now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pours out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” I encourage you to try it, and watch God bless you for it.