Our Decision To Tithe

This occurred about a year or so after I accepted Christ. Scripture indicates we are to support the local church through our tithes and offerings. I had felt the need to do this shortly after I was saved, but my wife did not. We had had many heated conversations about it, and I continuously heard the same things, “We give what we can.” “We have bills to pay.” “How can we afford to just give away 10% of our earnings?” Stuff like that. It always left me feeling frustrated and disobedient. Regardless, we continued to give $20 here, $20 there, basically whatever “change” we happened to have on us at the time, but with no real consistency or conviction.

At the time, we were just starting a financial services company. Money wasn’t pouring in, but we were doing OK. One day I got a commission check for $1000. Immediately, God (though the prompting of Holy Spirit) told me to give $100 (10%) to the church. My immediate response was “But God, you know the conversations Stacey and I have had about this.” Immediately after that thought I “heard” Him say, “Am I a big enough God to take care of your wife?” I was floored, because I knew He was. But I had my doubts.

As I’m driving home, I’m rehearsing the conversation I’m about to have with my wife because we’ve had it numerous times before. And I can hear her saying the same things she’d said time and time again.

I walked up the sidewalk, opened the door and announced “I’m home!” She comes out, and I inform her I got a check today for $1000. She says, “That’s great!” And then I told her, “And $100 of it is going to the church.” Her response was, “That’s not a problem.” Again I was floored…2x4 style!

Now, I don’t mean to say we were windfalled with monetary gain, we weren’t, quite the contrary actually. We would have a bill come due for $60, I’d get a check for $80, but we tithe regardless. We’d get another bill for $200, I’d get a check for $250, all the while continuing to give to the church. This went on for 6 or 8 months, but we never doubted our needs would be met. And all it did was solidify our faith that if we were faithful and joyful in our giving, He would meet our needs.

That was almost 25 years ago. And we’ve given ever since, even increased our formal giving, and have never been in want of anything, we’ve always had more than enough and have been fortunate to give generously even outside of our normal giving to the church. Not so we can get more, but because we enjoy it and we get to see what God does with that giving.

This is only one of many examples of God convincing me of His existence and love for us. But it all had to start from the very first decision to trust Him and believe that Christ shed His blood for my sins. Are you willing to do that? Because frankly, none of this is going to make any sense to you until you do. You can have all the head knowledge of scripture you want. Shoot, you’re probably more knowledgeable than most Christians when it comes to scripture as just words. But without a saving knowledge of God through Christ Jesus, it’s all meaningless and of no gain to you.

Kevin Willard