Hebrew word for thanksgiving is yada. This means open your hand!
Deuteronomy 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thy oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
We have moved from a rural society to an urban society and raising crops and herds is done by only a few. The less than 10% of people who tithe do so only with money and not with an actual “harvest.” Tithing is an act of pure TRUST! Sometimes our hard work pays little and to turn over the first ten percent (Leviticus 27:30; Hebrew 2:10-18) knowing taxes will take thirty or more percent and the sixty or so percent left over will have to cover all the bills and unexpected expenses can be very SCAREY! But this scripture says we will eat, in a place (abode, home) and He will put His name on it! Translation: HE WILL PROVIDE OUR NEEDS: food, shelter, clothing, safety. Tithing teaches us God can be trusted. His provision from what we see as little into abundance produces awe, reverence, and gratitude in us. Malachi 3:10 is the LORD’s challenge: Bring ye ALL the tithes into the storehouse, and PROVE me now herewith, saith the LORD of host, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
So, help me encourage others. Share your stories of how God turned your little into more than enough! I dare you! I sure hope you are like my kids.
Here is just one my stories:
The officer and gentleman and I had one to three of our brood in college or grad/medical school for 20 (yes, twenty!) consecutive years. No, they were not our sole responsibility all those years, but they did remain on our “payroll.” On paper, there is NO WAY we should have been able to do this without ending up in debtors prison. The truth, we didn’t owe a dime at the end! God supplied every car repair, tuition when due, housing when needed, book expense, medical need and every other unexpected need as it arose. It was a miracle we continually watched unfold. I look back and I am awed and amazed and oh so thankful!
Ok, it is your turn! Don’t let me down.
Treading with yada,
Release your troubles, receive his blessing.
Release your money, receive his provision.
Open your hands!
Stand in AWE!
Let It Rain by Michael W Smith
Yvonne
My faith in God’s provision had grown tremendously in the past 5 years. The last two years of my teaching career , I was counting months, maybe day until I could retire. 18 months months before that glorious retirement date ! In 2011, my upper body basically froze up..neck, shoulders, upper arms, upper back. Taught in severe pain with the help of Jr high students helping with instruction for several weeks. Neck fusion caused more complications. No way to return to complete the required Alabama 24th and 25th year. Walt and I continued to tithe through the three rough years of Dr’s, procedures, distant travels and much pain. With God’s grace and PROVISION along with prayers and support of family , church family and friends, I was able to retire! Not only that He is enabling me to live without the severe pain, spend time with my precious family , spend time with 8 awesome grandchildren . I forever grateful for each prayer and each kind deed during that storm. Most of all , I give my Lord and Savior all the glory for his love , mercy and provision.