Joy: 37-Day Devotionalنموونە

I was 36 weeks pregnant when my husband told me that we were going to give a tithe to the church. Screaming and crying, I told him that he was crazy because we had a baby on the way and the money would buy diapers. I didn’t know the Lord then, and the concept of tithing was foreign to me. I was not a scripturally sound person. I grew up in a “religious" home, going through the motions, but never truly believing in the Son of God. About eight months later, I gave my life to the Lord, but tithing still made me cringe. Our sweet baby girl had gotten really sick when she was a little over a year old and had to spend a few days in the hospital. I will never forget opening the hospital bill for thousands of dollars. My jaw fell to the floor. A few weeks later, after a lot of prayer and paperwork, I opened another piece of mail that stated our hospital balance was ZERO. It was then that I understood the Lord’s provision. 

When we feel defeated, discouraged, and shaken we can rest in the truth that the Lord keeps His promises. Though we may not see the fruit of them in this lifetime, surely, they will come to fruition. Giving to the church has provided us with so much more than financial gain. We have joy and hope in the plans that the Lord has for us. We no longer worry about our daily bread. All of this is because the Lord provided a way, through Jesus, for salvation: a way to Him and eternal life in the glory of Heaven. No one can take that away from us. We need to remember that God formed the heavens and the earth from nothing. He made a barren woman and an old man parents of a great multitude. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. 

Lord, thank You for providing our daily needs and a way for eternal glory. Help us to give joyfully to Your church and trust in Your promises.