Don’t Come to God Empty Handed

 Deuteronomy 16:16 says, "No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed." Malachi 3 is the traditional explanation.  Basically it comes down to obedience and experience.  I cannot have God’s money in my pockets.  I never want God to come to me empty handed.  I’ve never been able to out give God.  Every time I’ve been in need, He has provided supernaturally in a real monetary way.  I don’t know what I would do if God closed the windows of heaven and did not pour out blessing into my life.  Tithing is something on which I’m not willing to compromise.  It is obedience.  If I believe, then there can be no other solution but to give to God.  The blessing really comes on the offering in addition to the tithe.  So I give there as well.  Then I give more based on the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  This is money, not time or talents.  If you look at my secrets to success it is giving to God and living debt free.  It’s that simple.

Elder Rodney Lewis

I tithe because I need to be obedient to God’s word and I certainly don’t want to miss out on His blessings for my life.  I truly believe that all blessings come from the Lord.  If the Lord blesses me with health, income, time, etc., I acknowledge I could not have received it without His provision.  So I am happy to give back to grow God’s kingdom.  2 Corinthians 9:6 tells us that if we sow sparingly, we will also reap sparingly and that if we sow generously, we will reap generously.  “Each man should give…, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:7-8.  I want to abound and reap huge things for God’s kingdom!

Delia F. Lewis