Our company was awarded a new contract. As the Executive Vice President, I considered the task of incorporating and managing the details of this account on top of our already thriving business. In a realistic moment, I suggested to our president, “You may need to hire someone more equipped to handle this position. I don’t know if I can do it.” Her response…
“Gloria, if you leave, I’m closing the doors.”
She and I have supported one another through a lot! But she and I both know I am replaceable! Instead of throwing her patent leather heels at my forehead, she offered words of encouragement. She affirmed me in my position and gave me a pay increase. Why?
I strongly believe it goes beyond the fact that she is a giver and invests in people.
There is a Biblical principle at work here. Malachi 3:10 says if we will bring our tithe into the Lord’s house, He will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
When our pastor announced an ALL IN Giving Challenge being offered at our church, I was reminded of my own experience and the flood of blessings we experience today because we took this challenge years ago.
Since my husband became a Christian in 1999, the same year we began tithing, our income has increase 265%. That’s right! 265%! If you want to experience poured out blessings, give more to God! Math is not my area of strength, but I’m pretty sure 265% at the cost of 10% is a fantastic return.
We never questioned if we could afford to tithe. We tithe because we understand the importance. My mother taught me about tithing at a very young age. She ran an upholstery business out of our rural home. She often spoke of the connection between her tithe and God’s prosperity on her business.
There’s never been a visit home without me witnessing mom or dad trying to slip money into someone’s pocket. They often say, “You can’t out give God. The more we give, the more we receive.” Our motivation in giving has never been to receive more. Tithing is obedience; it’s an act of worship. Tithing is our giving back God’s commanded portion. We couldn’t be financially responsible without tithing.
Let’s be ALL IN when it comes to giving to God! God owns it all!
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
Photo by Vitaly on Unsplash