Day 116 - Tithing Needn't Be a Cuss Word

Before my husband experienced his radical life change to follow the Lord, he frowned upon my checks to the church. He even went so far as to say, "I don't want you giving money to the church that we need for our family."

So then I was torn between giving to the church despite his wishes, or obeying God's command to tithe. And when I say I tithed, it was not on a regular basis, and it has never been a full 10% of my income, net or gross.

But the church would send a tithing form to our household each year during tax season, my husband would look at the total amount given by me and cringe.

Now that's he is seeking the Lord and being led by the Lord, it has been impressed upon his heart that we should begin tithing together. He wishes me to tithe 5% of my income to start, and he will do the same.

This discussion couldn't have come at a better time. I was just about to purchase some major appliances from Home Depot that would've sucked away a good $135 per month for the next 18 months. I mean, I'd spent days researching the perfect appliance set -- gas stove with convection oven, and matching refrigerator with the freezer drawer on the bottom -- and had even picked out my final choices. It was nearly a done deal. The manager at Home Depot gave me a screaming deal on a Home Depot credit card, even: 18 months with ZERO interest. And within that time, I'd have it all paid off, anyway.

And then my husband went and ruined my plans for a beautiful new stove and refrigerator! :) And I'm smiling when I say that.

So instead, I will tithe.

I'm a bit scared. That's a lot of money, even at 5%. But I should feel blessed to be able to tithe, and I should want to tithe to the Lord after all He has done for this family in the last 116 days...right!?

So I pray that the Lord would lead us in this new area of Christianity...Amen.

Deuteronomy 14:22-23: "Be sure to set aside 10% of all that you produce...so that you may learn to revere the Lord God always."

Leviticus 27:30: "A tithe (or 10%) of everything...belongs to the Lord. It is holy."

Malachi 3:10-12Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in My house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the Devourer (Satan) for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts, and all nations shall call you blessed for you shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts."