Monday, February 27, 2012

Weekend Speaker:  Ben Sigman

Theme:  Not Afraid - Fear of Not Having Enough

Read:  Malachi 3:10; Psalm 37:5

Think: Since we’ve been married we have as a couple always been very careful about tithing our income, when our children were very young this was much harder than it is now. We lived in a rented house while paying a mortgage on a house that would not sell in another place, I had just given up work to have our first child and we lived away from family. It was a hard time for many reasons but to go from two salaries to one and that one paying a mortgage and rental was probably the hardest part. It was a time when tithing was a matter of obedience rather than joy. We knew it was something God wanted from us in the good and bad times but the good times were so much easier. Giving the money was hard and we prayed hard that God would help us find the money to get through the month.

What I learned over that time was that God provides for our needs when we are faithful --- but not always in the way we expect. While I was wondering where the money to buy clothes would come from when my child was growing God put it on people’s hearts to buy clothes for him and gift them to us. Family and friends would come for visits and take delight in buying him toys that were more age appropriate or new outfits. Whenever there was a need…not just a desire, but a real need and we brought it to God He would meet that need through others. Not only were we blessed by receiving these much needed gifts but so were those who gave to us increasing our faith as it happened.

Do: Consider trying the 90 day tithe challenge if you haven’t already. Take your concerns to God. If you already tithe money, think about an area of your life where you perhaps need to give more of it to God, as an offering. Take your concerns to Him and give Him the opportunity to surprise you with His blessings.

Pray: Lord, this area of our live is so hard for many of us and we thank you for your understanding and patience with us. Please help us come into line with Your will for our lives and see what it is You wish for us to change. Help us Lord to bring our concerns and worries to You and lay them at your feet…For You to deal with in ways that may surprise us. Lord, we ask that you help us accept the blessings you send us as being from You and give us the opportunity to bless others in Your name. Amen!

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.