It Does Not Make Sense

By Bob Kaku 

For years I had a difficult time managing my finances.  I ran up my credit cards, paid portions of my bills, and incurred hefty interest and penalties when my payments were late.  When I ran out of money, I borrowed from my parents.

After I became a Christian, I heard a teaching about tithing.  “The tithe is 10 percent of one’s gross income,” the speaker explained. Wow, that’s a lot of money!  I can’t afford that.  Later that afternoon, I was relaxing at home lying on a lounge chair on the back¬yard patio.  I reflected on the message and became con¬vinc¬¬ed that I needed to trust God with my finances.  Okay, Lord, help me to trust You in this area.  The following Sunday my whole body tensed as I wrote the check for the full 10 percent.  Will I be able to pay my bills?  The week after, my fingers struggled to write the tithe check.  It was a little easier, but I still worried about having enough money.  I continued to tithe every week.  To my utter amaze¬ment, I didn’t have to cut back on anything.  A few months later, I was surprised when I received a promo¬tion and a generous raise at work.  For the first time, I actually had money leftover.

When I married Gail, I discovered she not only tithed but gave offerings to many missionaries, ministries, and to the poor.  “Offerings are special gifts above the tithe,” she said.  “We need to support ministries that spread the Good News of Jesus so people can be saved from their sins.”

Now I really won’t have any money.

With the extra income Gail brought in, we paid down our mortgage.  One year we purchased two new cars with cash.  I had never bought a brand-new car without a loan before.  Then we bought a rather expensive home in Silicon Valley.  Even with the sale of our previous residence, we took out a sizable mortgage.  Now we’re going to have to cut back on vacations, dining, and ski trips.  Inexplicably, however, our financial obligations were still being met, and we didn’t have to cut back on anything.

Then disaster struck when the economic slowdown hit Silicon Valley.  Gail lost her job, and our income plum¬meted about 40 percent.  Immediately, we thought of scaling back on the offering percentage, but later we decided to trust God and left it unchanged.  To my utter befuddle¬ment, our financial obligations were still being met.  God supplied extra cash through lower mortgage rates, bonuses, and stock options.  He provided for all of our needs.

When we give our tithes and offerings, we’re giving back a small portion of what God has already given to us.  He will provide all that we need.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  (Matthew 6:33)

An excerpt from the book Popcorn Miracles® by Bob & Gail Kaku.  Reprinted by permission