“See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much
blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10
My (jcd’s) dad, an evangelist, was the original
soft touch. I remember him once going off to speak in a tiny church and coming
home ten days later. Eventually my mother asked about the offering. I can still
see my father’s face as he smiled and looked at the floor. “You gave the money
away again, didn’t you?” she asked. “Myrt,” he said, “the pastor there is going
through a hard time. His kids are so needy. I felt I should give the entire
fifty dollars to them.” My good mother looked at my father for a few moments and
then smiled. “You know, if God told you to do it, it’s okay with me.” A few days
later, we ran completely out of money, so my father gathered us for a time of
prayer. He said, “Lord, you told us that if we would honor you in our good
times, that you would take care of us when things are difficult. We need a
little help at this time.” The next day we received an unexpected check for
$1,200. That’s the way it happened— not once, but many times. No matter what you
give, you’ll find you can never outgive God.
Just between us…
Are we trusting God with our giving? What blessings, material and
nonmaterial, have we seen from our gifts? Do we know someone now who needs a
helping hand? Should we share what we have with them? Do we really believe “God
owns it all”?
Heavenly Father, You promised to pour out blessings on those who tithe in
Your name. Help us to take You at Your word and to trust in Your provision as we
give back to You and share our abundance with others. Amen.
From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James
& Shirley Dobson
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights
reserved.