A Challenge

A friend of mine, Xander, has a wonderful blog you should read daily. He's got some good stuff in him and he often gets it down in his blog for all to read and think about. Like the entry for Tuesday, January 15. Click this entry's title above to go there. Read it, then read on here . . .

I get the picture, but I also think we should go on about tithing. So many people think this is something they can ignore and still be good, solid Christians. I don't think so. Learning to be generous like our God (tithing is a part of that), is foundational to moving with the Holy Spirit. Our God is so generous to us when he gives his Spirit, we can't hold much of him in us if we too aren't able to give out generously. He only pours into us if we pour out of us.

Some people "Get as much as they can, can it, then sit on the can." Nope. God won't honor that practice with more of his Spirit. That's one of the reasons God works with us broken vessels- so what he puts in, will naturally flow out to others (and why we need to go back to him daily to get filled up again- better yet, go to him constantly to keep the flow steady, else we get drained too fast).

Why is it we can't seem to "get it" about tithing? Why is it we can trust God for our eternal salvation, but we can't trust him with a few measly dollars? The more stingy we are about giving, the less money we're going to have- period. And it's not that God wants to punish you. Rather, by not giving, you put yourself in The Enemy's hands (by being like him) and give him permission to take from you! You'll never have enough then. This is one of those holes you can't dig yourself out of. If you don't trust God in this area, your ends will never meet.

Debbie's and my testimony about tithing is incredible. God has shown us his faithfulness by out-giving us so many times- it's just second nature to us now. We will never out-give him, but we're going to try! And for that faithfulness on our part, God continues to provide for us in ways that are nothing short of miraculous! I could go on and on here with unbelievable examples.

I challenge you to test God in this. You know this is the only thing that God allows you to test him about (check out Malachi)? He's so convinced it will change your life and faith, he gives you permission to test him in its truth! Then watch how much more of his Spirit he can trust you with.

So put your money where your heart is. Watch God blow you away!