But as a church, we have seen God do amazing things in people's lives in a very short time. We taught people through this series that we didn't want generosity FROM them, but FOR them. We wanted to educate and help people in this area. We offered a budget class and also extended a challenge to the church. For those who have never tried tithing (giving 10% of their income back to God as the Bible instructs), we issued a 90 Tithe Challenge. For 90 Days, give faithfully ( and leave within your means) and see if God blesses you. If at the end of the 90 Days, you don't believe the Bible and what it says about tithing, giving, and blessing then we'll give you your money back. But if the Word is true...look out! So many people signed up for both the budget class and for the challenge. I wanted to share this email from a family in our church who took the challenge. I left out names as to not embarrass them. Their story is like many more, but I wanted to share to celebrate:
Our 90 days are not up but I just wanted to take a second to share what this challenge is already doing for us.
I was never taught anything about tithing growing up. I've always just given what I thought I "could give" that week. (husband) and I have always struggled financially. Last year was the hardest on us and we are still trying to catch up from it. Right now, (husband's) job is in their slow time and we never know if he'll be working 3 days or 5 or none at all. So with all of that, I was terrified going into this challenge, but I also wanted to do it with all my heart.
Most weeks have been easier than I imagined. On the 3rd, however, as I wrote out my check, I knew that it was definitely going to be up to God to make it all work out. There was no way I could give 10% and have enough leftover for the bills I had to pay much less to have any left for gas and groceries! But I did it anyway even knowing I needed an extra $350 by that Friday to make it balance out. God did much better than that. By Thursday morning, our tax refund that the IRS had told me would be here Feb 28th was already in our bank account AND (husband's) job told him they needed him to work that Friday after all and to expect a 40 hour week this week :o) 40 hours at this time of year is a miracle in itself LOL
And can I just tell you, how great it felt to write that larger check this past Sunday for our 10% on that tax refund?!?! My problem wasn't that I doubted God could... I doubted that He would for me. I hate that I doubted Him but I am so thankful He proved me wrong. :o)
That is amazing! The Word of God is true, just test it! Not only that, as a church we saw giving nearly TRIPLE, yes triple, in one month's time!!! I even challenged non-believers. They may not believe the Bible, but try His principals when it comes to finances. No one has ever went poor being generous. NO ONE. You can NOT out give God, you just can't. My family and I live off the 10-10-80 principal. We tithe 10%, save 10%, and live off of 80%. God has been so faithful that we are now able to give above and beyond the 10%! The more generous we have been, the more God has poured out.
Besides, if the way you're living now is leading to the stressed life: debt, week to week living, no savings, then what do you have to lose by trying God for the Blessed Life?
Do YOU have a story? Email us at mystory@generationchurch.me. We would love to hear it and share with others!
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