my personal giving story

This Sunday, Paul challenged us all in the area that is perhaps the last to go (so to speak) in terms of surrender to Jesus--our wallets! The issue is tithing and trust... the two go hand in hand. If we trust God to be who he says he is and to do what he says he'll do, then tithing (10% of our income) isn't such a big deal.

Paul took a big risk and laid out his finances to those present. He told what he and Cheryl make and how much they give. Did he do this to brag? Nope. He did it because he wanted all of us to know that he follows his own preaching, even in the area of giving. They are clearly generous... and God has blessed them for it, just as he says he will!

Well, Jennifer and I are in a different position than Paul and Cheryl, so I thought it would be a good idea for you to hear my story with giving, as well. Again, not to brag, but simply as an example of how it can be done, even on a single income.

I have tithed 10% of my income since my first mowing job in high school. Not because my parents made me, but because it was simply the right thing to do to honor God with my resources. Since I started early, I have always planned for it. There are times when it would be nice to to have that money for other things, and I can't say that I've not been tempted, but God has always honored and blessed me for staying faithful to him in this area of my life.

The first year of my master's degree program, Jen and I only made about $20,000. We had housing rental, a car payment and my education to pay for. Yet we tithed and God provided! Those were lean years, but they were great years! We still have absolutely no regrets about giving that 10% to God because we knew he was blessing us beyond our dreams.

Now, we are a single-income family with three kids. In 2009, my compensation as a pastor of GFMC was $43,000. Our giving to GFMC for 2009 was $4,860. We live within our means and we don't buy what we cannot (or should not) afford just to "keep up with the Jones's." And God has blessed us in incredible ways, and not solely in our finances, either. Jennifer is going back to school and we are not having to borrow the money to pay for it. We are paying extra on our mortgage so we can hopefully have it paid off in about 7 years. We are able to do fun things (although not extravagant things) with our kids. Here's the biggest blessing, though: We have financial PEACE! We do not argue about our finances because we talk regularly about them and have a common agreement as to how to use God's resources. God is awesome!

I know that there is always the risk that I will come across as bragging. No way! I want to share how God has blessed us by our simply choosing to trust him with our... I mean HIS... resources and encourage you to consider testing him in this (he invites us to do that!).

So, consider our stories. Consider Butch and Rhonda Phillips' story that was shared on Sunday. We are living witnesses of how God blesses in this matter of giving to God first.

Well, you do not have to share your giving story with me. However, if you'd like to give glory to God by sharing how he has honored you for your faithfulness in how you handle his resources, then please let me know! I'd love to hear the good news!