At first, I have to admit, we struggled with doing this, but now we almost look forward to giving, especially giving extra when we receive extra. I remember very clearly, time after time I would hear that horrible little voice in my head saying, “are you sure? You know how tight things are,”
or “only give half. You can make up for it later,” or “if only you didn’t have to give that much to the Lord. It would help stretch things until the next payday.”
Fortunately John and I have been able to fight that little voice off and be obedient to the Lord and give. When we get that little voice we often give more just because.
Now, this may sound like I believe there are demons who try to get a person to not obey God. To tell the truth, I’m glad it sounds that way because I do believe there are demons who try to get us to be disobedient to the Lord. However, I have to say that I also know that demons 1) can’t read minds 2) don’t know what works and what doesn’t and 3) demons are not around every corner.
You may be wondering why I talk about tithing and demons in the same blog. One thing is certain, satan and his demons are bound and determined to stop a Christian from being obedient in this area and will use any means toward their ends.
After many years I heard again this morning that horrible little voice, “you know things would be better if you weren’t tithing.”
Really? How lame! That’s been tried before!
I shut it down really quickly. I’m not going to be baited like that!
Not long after, I had to take John to work. When I take him to work, it’s still dark. We live on a neighborhood with a street light that’s a little to the left of our house and blocked by a huge tree. The benefit of that is that I can see the stars. I never get tired of the stars. They’re so amazing. So when I came back home I looked up and saw the millions and trillions of stars I could see; and knew there were millions and trillions of stars I couldn’t see.
Suddenly I felt the presence of the Lord and heard His still small voice whispering reassurance to me, reminding me that He who made the stars can certainly take care of John and me.
What a joy to feel the presence of my Lord so close by. He didn’t have to reassure me because I felt very confident in His provision at that moment. And that’s another wonderful aspect of the Lord: although I didn’t feel beaten down by that horrible little voice, the Holy Spirit wanted to remind me of His provision anyway.
Thank you Lord for knowing what I need even when I don’t realize I need it.
Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 57:10
Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Psalm 89:2
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. Psalm 103:11
For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 108:4
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:5