A Testimony to Tithing {Part 1}...

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The subject of tithing has come up a lot recently, so not one to miss a hint, I decided I'd better write on the subject!

As you would expect, our family believes firmly in tithing...there are a lot of principles that are involved in the process of tithing.  {These I will address in my next post!}

For now, I want to start with a letter that I wrote to friends and family a few years back that testifies to a place where God had brought us in our tithing!  I pray it inspires!




Many of you know our testimony to God's provision in times past. Though long, I wanted to share this to show you that our God is ALWAYS faithful.  We need only to put our faith and trust in Him...

As I sat to pay our monthly bills, I first wrote our check for tithe. Only this check would need to include our building fund payment - as well as a past due building fund payment.   Looking over the bills and the income that would come in for the month, it was difficult not to notice that things would be quite close...and this would not include our gas or food for the month.  (Creativity abounds in the Cook Kitchen, as I make some interesting meals from what the Lord has provided through a food resource He has blessed us with and some "storage food" from a friend who moved across country a couple of years ago.) Word at Ken's work is that there is not much work left, and unemployment has been looming over our household for weeks.  But, God has been faithful and every week, Ken has continued to work!  Praise God!

It is difficult to look at a situation like this and not be tempted to hold onto anything over and above our tithe, especially at this time of year and with such uncertainty ahead of us.  But, I wrote our check, praying in faith, believing that God would provide for us - as He has always proven to do so in the past - and actually eagerly anticipated Sunday morning when we could give our offering.

After working a 1/2 day on Friday, Ken received word that he indeed would be working one more week (before I turned in our offering). I gave praise to God for His faithfulness to us, and credited our obedience.  But, come Monday, after working only 1/2 of a day Ken was sent home.  We waited to see what work would be provided, and Tuesday passed with no call for work. God granted me the peace to rest in Him and know that He would provide.  Today is Wednesday, and Ken was called for work tomorrow - Praise God! (Let me qualify all of this by telling you that there is no provision for paid time off in the line of work Ken is in, so our already tight budget just got tighter.)

Today, as I opened our mail there was a Christmas letter from someone from our church.  The card was anonymous, and a $100 gift card was enclosed!!!!  A note said, "The Lord told us to give you this to help out with Christmas.  Praise the Lord!  Love, a CHCC family"  Praise the Lord indeed!!!!!  I am overcome with emotion and gratitude, to the Lord again for His faithfulness and towards this family for their obedience!

After trying to decipher who the card was from so we could thank them and share our testimony, the Lord impressed upon me that our testimony needed to be shared with all of you.

So, thank you to the one that sent this gift, may the Lord bless you 10 fold! "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God!" - 2 Corinthians 9:11

To those of you who are finding yourselves struggling, I encourage you to continue to tithe and obey God in other areas of offering as He calls you to, even when it doesn't make sense to you. He IS faithful! "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."  Malachi 3:10

To those who are not struggling, but have received this as a testimony to tithing and obedience to God's voice receive this as confirmation. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9

For the few of you that God laid on my heart to send this to who have not yet chosen to follow Him.  Hear this testimony and understand the heart of our Lord God and His precious son Jesus.  He cares for and loves each of us  so much that He will never abandon us. "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:9-10

Blessings to all of you this Christmas season and always!  You all are very dear to us!



Thanks for stopping by!  Be Refreshed!