Give When He Says
Posted by:
Bible Blogger on
December 17, 2007 at
1:15PM EST
There's a verse in the passage about God loving a cheerful giver that I
don't often hear highlighted in sermons related to giving:
"You will be
enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us
will produce thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV)
Now, I usually don't share stories and say "this happened to me" but I
had to share one that did because of the blessing God provided to me
through it. It's a perfect example of God enriching someone in ways
that go far beyond money.
Last month it was about ten days from payday when I received a friend
request on MySpace from Sandy Stiles of "Set Them Free Ministries."
It's a ministry based in Texas that goes into jails to present the
truth of God and confidence of walking in freedom that the truth of God
provides to us all. It's a great ministry and if you have a chance to
read Sandy's incredible testimony then you'll probably want to support
them as well!
I had decided that I was going to send some money to them when my next
paycheck arrived in a little under two weeks. It was then that God
spoke to me.
"Send her a hundred bucks today and that will be the tithe from your next check."
I didn't have a hundred bucks on me to send without running to my
savings account and pulling it out. Yet, because I knew it was God, I
did it. Sandy had sent me a message saying she was not sure if she
should accept donations from outside sources but that God confirmed her
decision to make the option available when I gave to her.
I thought that would be the end of it. If it had been, it would have
been enough because I was blessed to know that God had used me to
confirm something in Sandy's life. That, however, was just the
beginning. Sandy shared this with me:
"I was in the hotel - it was Tuesday night when I checked the mnistry
account online to make sure i was okay for the rest of the week. I knew
I was close - we had twice as many girls as expected to do the study
there!
Anyway, After paying for the room, there was only 90
dollars left in the account. Everything else that had to be done that
week - you paid for! The certificates the girls got, they cost more
than they should - You were more than part of that! Those certificated
mean more to those girls than anyone could imagine - some have never
finished anything before - the yare so proud of them!
I dont
usually share this with people but I just want you to be encouraged. My
family has taken huge hits this year and we are truly struggling - I
didnt have enough money to get home after my trip - God provided that
through you. I knew I was close but I went in faith that God would
provide and He did. My gas tank was empty - you filled it for me to get
there and back! Thank you - the girls and I had a great week with
the Lord because of your help."
Isn't that incredible? I can't describe the blessing I received when I
saw that message from Sandy. Had I not listened to God and waited
until I had my paycheck I wouldn't have been the vessel used by God to
bless to many other people. I love when God pulls aside the curtain a
little bit to let me see the fruit of my obedience.
So if you do something that you feel God prompting you to do and don't
see any immediate response from it, don't fret. Enjoy the feeling of
obedience and the enrichment that comes from obedience to God. As the
Scripture says, you will be enriched in all ways and that means
sometimes God will pull the curtain aside for you as he did for me.
