In hindsight, I can see many ways GOD has prepared me for this move to Kenya. From childhood to adulthood He has used good and bad circumstances as training for this mission. (Romans 8:28) But the actual vehicle which opened this door was tithing.
During the 1980’s, as a soldier of the Salvation
Army, I received a challenging teaching regarding the tithe. At that time I
would give whatever I could afford to this ministry. After the teaching, I made the decision to
tithe 10%. With that as my goal, I had to make some needed changes. The
greatest change was giving the Lord my first fruits instead of my leftovers.
Soon, I was giving 10% of my net income, and I noticed El Shaddai was
meeting all of my needs. Once comfortable, my new goal became 10% of my gross
income. This too was a challenging step. The level of financial self-control
needed, had increased. Still, GOD’s provision continued, and I suffered no
lack. So I increased my tithe even more. By giving a little extra, over my
tithe, I was now giving between 13 – 16% of my gross income. What had started
in the 1980’s continued, and now it’s the year 2006.
Toward the end of 2006 I noticed even this had become too
easy. So I vowed to sponsor two boys in Kenya through Compassion International for the year 2007.
That began my ministry in Kenya. Even this sponsorship grew, and my first trip
to Kenya came in 2011. I was able to meet my three sponsored boys on this trip,
and it was glorious!
At the end of my travels with Compassion International, Pst.
Jeff of Believers’
Ministries International (BMI) arrived in Kenya. I joined him as he visited
several of the Kenyan pastors associated with BMI. My love for this country was
born during this 26 day visit. My subsequent visits in 2012 and 2014 increased
my love for Kenya and its people.
Interestingly, the tithe was the means GOD used to show me
my calling. Was it the maturity He had worked in me thru the tithe that opened
this door? Or was it the growth in learning to trust Him? Or was it something
totally different, but tithing is just an added benefit?
This Connecticut Yankee, turned Californian, is now just
days away from leaving America. Having this opportunity to build the kingdom of
GOD in Kenya is only because of GOD’s favor. What an awesome GOD!!!
I want to hear your comments and experiences with tithes and
offerings. What you share may be a big help to someone else’ victory. We
overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and…
(Rev. 12:11).
Malachi 3:8-10 is often used to teach on the subject of tithes and offerings. I am a witness that this principle works today. There was a time in my life as a college student that I did not have money to buy groceries. I didn't know who to call or ask for monetary assistance because at the time, my parents were out of town. I checked my bank account and had insufficient funds in my account. This made me more upset. I then resolved to pray and present my dilemma to Jesus. As I remained quiet before Him in prayer, He reminded me of the widow who cleaned her house and found some money after sweeping her house clean. After I arose from my knees, I began to rearrange some papers on my dining table in my apartment. As I got to the bottom of the paper pile, I noticed that there was clean sheet of paper that I had never seen before. As I lifted it up to put it in my folder, I saw a clean $50 bill right before my eyes! I thanked God audibly for this surprise. He kept His promise. Had I not obeyed The Holy Spirit telling me to clean my table, I would not have found this money. You see, I gave an honest tithe of 10% from my biweekly wages and The Lord kept His promise in Malachi 3:8-10. There is an old song that goes like this....You Can't Beat God's Giving....No Matter How You Try....And Just As Sure As You are Living...And The Lord Is In Heaven On High.....The More You Give, The More He Gives To You, Just Keep On Giving Because It's Really True...That You Can't Beat God's Giving....No Matter How You Try! If you tithe an honest tithe, The Lord will keep His promise because of your giving. He Always Keeps His Word!
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