Matthew 14:13-33
Sometimes 2+2 doesn't equal 4. As I read the feeding of the 5000 in Matthew 14, it felt like déjà vu for me. A number of years ago my husband and I signed up for a financial Bible study through our church. We were a little apprehensive, but almost immediately we could see that we didn't fully know what the Bible said about money or about how we should manage it. At this point we were giving (tithing) some to our church but only after we had paid our bills and purchased things we needed and wanted. Well the further we got into the study and into the Word, we realized we needed to make some changes, and the biggest change was for us to give to God first instead of giving if and when we had money left over. This would be a huge, not to mention scary, change for us.
Even so, we took the plunge and made that commitment. Now, I have to be honest, those first few weeks of checks were difficult to write because on paper if we tithed more (and that's what we committed to), we would barely be able to cover our planned expenses. So each Sunday I wrote out our check--regardless of what was in our account. That went on for a few weeks and when we got to the end of that first month, I was amazed. You see, we weren't short on our bills AND we had enough money to do other fun things as well. Now this just didn't make sense to me. So I went back and did the math again with the same result--we really should have been short. I can't explain it, but it's continued that way going forward. Is God amazing or what?
So have you had any "feeding the 5000" experiences? It would be really encouraging to hear how God turned your "little" into something much more. Tami W.
I sometimes forget that not only is Jesus divine, but he was also human too. This story picks up right after Jesus heard that John the Baptist was beheaded. He was going to the desert to mourn, yet he still had compassion for the people who followed him and fed them. No wonder he needed to send everyone away so he could spend time with the father in prayer. This account is so relevant today for us in that we need to have quiet time with the Father to refresh ourselves too. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to get alone with God to refresh himself, then we most certainly need to as well.
Tami, what you have said about tithing is so true. I used to do the same but after I gave to God first then everything changed, He has blessed me so that I can share beyond tithing to help others. Isn't He wonderful? As you say you do not know how it happened, it just happens and all we can say is, "Thank You Lord for Your Mercy endureth forever".
Joan R
I took a job working for my church, which cut my salary $15,000 less than my husband and I were used to. But when I got the calling, I just knew this job was for me. My husband didnt really attend Sunday service when I first started working for the church. And therefore, we didn't really tithe what I knew we should be tithing. I would ask him to come, but there was always an excuse. I would really stress out about it. A couple years later I shared my heart with him, that all I wanted was him to sit by my side in church. (mind you, he was brought up in a Christian home) and once I shared that and left the rest up to God, (and got out of the way) he started attending church again. He also decided that we needed to rethink what we were tithing, and once that was done, over the next couple years his salary has trippled. Coincidence? Nope. I think there was a couple things there. I believe God was blessing us for our obedience in tithing, and also the cut in salary we sacrificed when I started working for the church.
As a student in college with a child it is really difficult to finace our expenses. But by trusting God on a day to day basis to work things out for me i have realised that he is really at work in my lives. Last night i had no dinner and i wasnt worrying about it, yet one of my classmates bought bananas and offered me two, which i had in the night. It just showed me that just as God said in his word that we shouldnt worry about what we shall eat or drink or about tomorrow, i think he provides for us more when we trust him wholly than when we try to provide for ourselves. We just need to give him the chance to show us.
Thank you, Tami for revealing God's eternal wisdom regarding first fruits. A few years ago, when my wife and I were discussing the possibility of tithing on our "net" income instead of "gross" income, God provided me with clear Biblical guidance on bringing my "firstfruits" to the temple. We have immensely enjoyed giving our tithes and have been blessed greatly, though we are still learning how to be good stewards of what's left of the money He provides us.
I have been so blessed by reading all the comments. I, too, have experienced God's blessing. First, I have had a job during these hard economic times. As a single woman, I don't have a lot of money. However, it is amazing to me how much God blesses me. Sometimes I look at my finances, and I think wow there is money for getting the car repaired etc. I try to be consistent with my giving. I also think that is very important.
Hi Tami, I tith the same amount by weekly from my paycheck and when I decided to buy a biblical cd or book even though it is free I always give more than the item would cost me at the store. Can this be a way of tithing too? For I know the difficulties radio broadcasting have for support money to stay on air. thanks
Edith,
Thank you so much for your comment. And thanks for being so faithful in your tithing. The original idea of the tithe was both to acknowledge that all we have belongs to the Lord and also to help support the priests in the temple. So while the exact amount of the tithe is between the Lord and the person tithing (the New Testament simply tells us to give generously according to 1 Corinthians 9:6-7), the purpose of the tithe has stayed the same. By giving generously, we are giving back what the Lord has given to us, and we are helping to support our local church and other ministries that the Lord lays on our heart. This would include giving that is above the cost of an item you purchase since this would be considered a gift. Thanks again for comment and question. Thanks, too, for being part of Powered by 4! Tami W.