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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Short End of the Stick (02/20/14)
Every month we faced the same bills, and every month we had the same conversation. It went something like this:


"So how does it look?"

"It's lookin' pretty bad."

"Ouch. Are we gonna have enough money to pay all our bills?"

"Actually... no. We're at the short end of the stick again."

"What're we gonna do?"

"I'm workin' on it... I'm doin' some creative accounting now."

"You say that every month."

"Yup."


Obviously, our financial plan was not working: we had more month than money to pay for it. Finally one day I gave up and consulted with a Christian Financial Counselor.

He took a look at our income and all of our bills; he did some quick calculations and even roughed out a budget for us.

"So, Kyle, what's the bottom line?"

"I have one question for both of you."

"Okay, what can we do?"

"Where's God in your plan?"

"What do you mean?"

"Here... let me show you God's plan:

Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings.
You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation.
Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts.
And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

"That's Malachi 3:8-12 from the Amplified version of the Bible. If we give God the first fruits of our labor--the first 10 percent-he will bless us. Believe me, it works; and I encourage you to try it."

"What? So, you are telling me to give 10 percent to the church before everything else? How in the world can we do that...? I can't even pay my bills now as it is!"

"Let me as you a question: How's your plan working for you now?"

"Not so good. That's why we're here."

"God says, prove me. Basically He is saying, try Me. I always suggest people try the tithing principle for six months.

"Why not? We have nothing to lose."

"So go ahead and try it--then we can meet again in about six months."


We did it: we faithfully gave the first ten percent of our income to the church. Almost immediately, amazing things began to happen to us financially. Within the first two weeks, I was promoted at work, and my raise was more than enough to pay both the previous tithe AND all our bills. Then, "out-of-the-blue" I received an insurance overpayment check for some medical bill mix-up from three years ago.

It wasn't always easy, though. We had two unforeseen car repairs pop up, but we were determined to pay the tithe anyway no-matter-what.

Thanking God over and over again the next several months, we finally went back to Kyle and gave him a ten percent raise for telling us that one simple thing.

We are no longer at the short end of the stick! Now our conversation goes something like this every month:

"So how does it look?"

"It's lookin' good."

"Are we gonna have money to give an extra offering this week?"

"We might."

"Should we wait?"

"No--we should just give it."

"You say that every month."

"Yup."

God has blessed us financially far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. Ephesians 3:20

Are you having trouble financially? I encourage you: try God's plan!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Rice
02/27/14
Your covered a very important truth that I hope all people will try.

Your article is well written, with good dialogue and a great message.

Thanks for sharing.
Dusty Fontaine
02/28/14
Amen. And the reason it is considered robbery when we withhold the tithe is because it belongs to God even before we give it. (Leviticus 27:30)

You did a very nice job of showing the blessings of tithe through the use of dilalogue.

Dusty
C D Swanson 
02/28/14
Powerful messages throughout and excellent writing here!
I loved this...good job.

God bless~
Francie Snell 
03/05/14
Yup, just what I needed to read right about now. And, I'm going to have my husband read this valuable reminder of how the Lord works. Great piece. Thanks for the blessing.