Counting My Blessings

Last week I submitted an article to our church newletter's Editor (Mom). I thought I would share it on here as well. I didn't write it for attention, just to give glory to God because He keeps His promises!

Counting My Blessings

Last Saturday (Jan. 22^nd) I came across a journal that was given to me years ago. It is just a little place to jot down the blessings God has given me. As well as a way to help me be more intentional in giving thanks to God for all that He has done and is doing for me.

As I read over the (very few) blessings I had counted, (I know there are many more!) I was reflecting on what had happened since my last entry. I would love to say that I thought of mounds and mounds of things to write about, unfortunately that is not the case. I managed to eke out a few lines for the day.

Sunday rolled around and I went to Sunday School and Church at Rose Hill CPC (my home away from home church). I was standing during the prayer for the people (after praises and concerns) and it hit me: tithing.

Why hadn’t I thought of it for my journal? Or even for a praise report?

Money has always been an issue for me. I wasn’t smart during college (and didn’t listen to my parents.) I was offered credit cards like all college students and was approved. I thought “Yay! Money I don’t have to ask for!” (Boy was I dumb!) Debt has been a struggle ever since.

Tithing has always been hard for me…mostly because I live on a very tight budget due to my debt. Sometimes I would tithe, and sometimes I wouldn’t. It depended on how bad I “needed” the money. For years I yo-yoed back and forth. I would even write out a check for each week of the month (I get paid monthly) and if money got tight or something came up, I would tear it up.

Essentially – I was stealing from God.

Last year I was talking with my parents about tithing. I really don’t remember most of the conversation, just that I came away with a conviction that I was not tithing correctly or in the right spirit.

I sat down with my budget the next payday and worked it all out on paper. Three times. (I wanted to make sure.) I always try to write my tithe check before any bills as a symbol – God gets the first fruits. I wrote the tithe check telling God the whole time: You know how much this hurts…but I’m going to trust you. I also reminded Him of His promise in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, “ says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Did you read that like I did? God tells us to test Him on tithing! He KNOWS times are tough. He wants us to trust Him.

I did the math again (because I’m like that.) I wanted to make sure I had enough. What I found was the amount I had written in my check was still in my account. Every time I re-did the math…it was still there! I don’t know how God does it, but He is Amazing. He had blessed me instantly. I was EXTREMELY relieved.

The next week when I put that check in the offering plate I reminded God (like He needs it) how hard that was for me, and that I was putting my trust in Him. God has been blessing me abundantly ever since.

And now, every paycheck is one step closer to being Debt Free (more on that later!) and that is solely due to the fact that I trust God to multiply (to His purpose) what I have given Him – from what He has given me.

After all, it was His to begin with.

Jocelyn