Week 5

    Do you listen? In today's world we are surrounded by sound. I see people plugged into all kinds of listening devices. A couple of summers ago, I had a revelation about listening. I was praying about hearing the voice of God, and how to be sure I heard from God. Then I knew. God speaks to each one of us in a voice we know and in a language we understand! As a Christian, when God speaks to you, you do know it. And because in Christ we are a friend of God, in Him there is no misunderstanding.

     One method I use in making difficult money choices is to be sure, that as I make decisions, I use the Word of God. God honors His Word. So, when I am doing financial stuff, I apply Scripture in prayer. I say something like, "Lord, your Word says to 'give to everyone who asks you' (Lu.6.30) and so I give this in Your Name, on Your Word." Thus, my financial decisions are anchored in Biblical truth.

     As a committed tither God knows I listen with great care. I pray and learn what the Lord wants. God and I do not mistake each other. Sometimes, this had led to some very interesting situations. Never a dull moment in God's kingdom!

Until next time.

Love in Christ.

Miss Dorothy

Week 4

     Nehiemiah 13 and Malachi were written within 30 years of one another. Reforms were desperately needed. Together, they express God's indignation and anger with His people. Because of the materialism and cynicism of that time, people had begun to lose hope. Godly standards were gone. Worship had deteriorated into listlessness and superficiality. God's people no longer took God seriously. God's priests had become corrupt. And the tithe? Well, that was generally ignored. Does any of this seem familiar?

    It was understood by the Israelites that every act of worship was to be expressed by a material means. God instituted it that way and tithers know this. Tithing gives the tither the opportunity to worship and demonstrate their faithfulness and love to God. Showing love to God by bringing tithes into the storehouse also shows love for your neighbor.

     I appreciate the word storehouse. In the Old Testament, storehouse meant the place where you are fed. The New Testament word is store or storeroom and it translates as a place where things are stored. It also is translated in the New Testament as a place of gathering, like a church. So I am enjoined by Scripture to bring my tithes into my local Church.

     I know that I know God has placed me in my local Church. Of that there is no doubt in my heart. I bring tithes into my local church because God has put me there. My tithing never depends on the culture or behavior of others. My functional reality is that the Lord and I have a financial covenant and He takes care of it all. Perfect!

Until next time.

Love in Christ.

Miss Dorothy

Week 3

     It has been said that the mind is the battlefield. But, I know that the wallet is the minefield! It's fraught with danger and traps as we struggle with money. Last time I commented that the Lord showed me my heart. And the truth is that whenever I have struggled with money, the real struggle is my heart attitude.

     Jesus told the Pharisees that they are to put love of God, justice, mercy and faithfulness first before a tithe. (Mt.23.23; Lu.11.42) A pure heart before God is the key, the lynch pin of tithing. God is to be first. Do you know what idol worship really is? Idol worship is anything put ahead of God! There have been times when $$$ has been more important than God in decisions I have made. What is this called again?

     My mantra is "tithing is not about money." Holy Spirit revelations occur when I prayerfully tithe. My anger, selfishness, greed, inappropriateness and other unsavory attitudes are exposed when I struggle to bring my tithe before God. I may blame salary, finances, expenses, bills or bad economy, but, the real issue is my attitude. And in the Lord there is blessed grace. There is restoration and peace. God is never about the numbers, He is after my heart.

Until next time.

Love in Christ.

Miss Dorothy

Week 2

    I am a scrupulously honest person. So I'll start off by saying that although I am scrupulously honest, I'm not really good with numbers. I can move a decimal point and multiply by 10. The rest of the numbers stuff is beyond my reach. I have figured out that it works better for me if I just put God in charge of my finances. And that is the first big reason why I tithe.

     Since tithing is a covenant--a contract initiated by God--results are His. It's different from a promise or blessing in that God puts Himself into the results. He says that He will open the windows of heaven to those who tithe. He says that He will keep pests from devouring the crops. He assures that the vines in the field will not cast their fruit (Mal.3.10,11.) Although these are agricultural terms (and I am not a farmer) it's pretty clear that the Lord is integral to the development and growth of the tither's resources.

He has done this for me for 25 years.

     Tithing catapulted me into this incredible relationship with the Lord. I know that I am a steward and I have learned to pray and trust God on levels I can barely describe. It has not always been an easy road. I had to learn to choose between what I thought I wanted  and what I thought I deserved and what I really needed. The Lord always shows me my real heart. (And what He reveals, He heals!) Then, by God's grace I put God first by tithing every time, every time. The result is that the Lord has always been

faithful to keep His word, and I have always benefitted.

Until next time.

Love in Christ.

Miss Dorothy