The stories keep coming in! See the comment below for the latest.
I am praying for you! We are at our halfway point in our three months. I hope to encourage you today from “The Treasure Principle” by Randy Alcorn.
In chapter one Randy writes that most of the parables Jesus told are about money and possessions. Jesus spoke more on this topic than his teachings on heaven and hell combined. “Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions? Because there’s a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. We may try to divorce our faith and our finances, but God sees them as inseparable.”
He goes on to say that this truth hit him years ago on an airplane while reading Luke 3. John the Baptist is teaching to large crowds of people who have gathered to hear him and be baptized. Three different groups of people ask him what they should do to show evidence of their repentance. John gives three answers:
- Everyone should share clothes and food with those who have none (vs. 11)
- Tax collectors shouldn’t pocket extra money. (vs. 13)
- Soldiers should be content with their pay and not extort money. (vs. 14)
Each answer relates to money and possessions. But no one asked John about that! They asked what they should do to demonstrate the fruit of spiritual transformation. So why didn’t John talk about other things?
“Sitting there on the airplane I realized our approach to money and possessions isn’t just important, its central to our spiritual lives.”
Jesus and John the Baptist knew that money and possessions was people’s god. Jesus and John realized that no one could serve God unless they dethroned their money idol.
Thanks you for being a part of this Tithe Challenge. It’s evidence that you are “dethroning the money idol” Thanks for taking the opportunity face the central part of your spirituality: money and possessions. By giving 10% to God you are putting money and possessions in their proper perspective, but more importantly you are putting God where He belongs. Thanks for going beyond the regular religious practices to the heart of the issue, money & possessions. True spirituality and putting God first are becoming a reality for you as you give as God has asked. Way to go!
Until next week, Darrell
Tithe online at www.ridgefellowship.com
Upwards Church 
Tithing testimony
I wanted to share a tithing story I have. Becky and I wanted to do
something special for Marissa on her 16th birthday so we decided to take
her to the Lakeway Spa and Resort where Becky used to work. We ended up
getting two rooms for two nights at the employee price because the hotel
wasn’t close to being booked. Not only did we get the rooms but they were
both nicer rooms with lake views. We found out later that the resort
booked up soon after we made our reservation and they would not have given
us the rooms had they known because they can charge about 3-4 times more
for regular guests. Even Becky said that it was a miracle we got to stay
because they often turn down employees on high demand weekends. I know
that a lot of people may think that it was just luck or timing but I know
God blessed us with being able to stay there and for the fun we had with
Marissa and her friends. It was a weekend filled with great memories.
On another note, I have started pedi-cabbing again and I see how God blesses
me every night. There are nights when I wonder if this is something I
should be doing and if it’s taking away from my family. But then I have
nights when I make a lot of money and I think why would I quit. Last night
as I was riding things were slow and I wasn’t making any money so I
started getting discouraged. I then thanked God for all that’s He’s given
me and asked Him to bless me. I might have asked Him to bless me first,
lol. I admittedly was being pretty selfish asking God to bless me with
money when He doesn’t owe me anything. But guess what? He blessed me
anyway. One of my next rides gave me a $40.00 tip for something I normally
would have received maybe $15-20 for. Last night was so slow that some
guys didn’t even make $40.00 for the whole night. Again some might say
just luck. I say, God always answers us when we ask Him for help. Not
always directly but indirectly, but He always answers. When He says to
test Him in our tithing, and only in our tithing, I think we should expect
to see miracles. I could be wrong to expect anything from God but I’ve yet
to hear from someone who has given and not been blessed. As far as
pedicabbing in the future, this is only temporary until we get caught up
on things. I feel that when we get our finances in order it will ease a
lot of our burdens and be pleasing to God. Now this is starting to feel
like confession and I’m not even Catholic. Haha. Thank you for letting me
share and thank you for continuing to be a great leader and mentor. As I
wrap this up I feel compelled to say how powerful and strong our God is.
He is not a God of fear.
See ya soon.
Jordan