I remember the Christmas when I was in my first year of teaching in a private Christian school.  We had no money.  No money to buy presents for our kids or . . . do anything special.  We were OK with that.  Teri and I were young and in love and living our dream of raising a family who loved and served God.

Unexpectedly, the school gave me a $200 Christmas bonus.  This was AWESOME!  Thankfully we were able to get the kids some clothes and a toy or two.  Teri had some money to do her Christmas baking  (man, can she bake!)

Well, the Sunday before Christmas we were walking up the ramp toward the church service and we were telling the kids that we were going to buy a tree after church.  Of course, the closer you get to Christmas – the cheaper trees got.  I had $20 in my wallet to buy a tree and then Teri looked at me and said: “Have we tithed on your Christmas bonus yet?”

About two years earlier we had committed to God to give Him a tenth of all our income.  He had shown Himself faithful over and over and by now it wasn’t just our “preference” to tithe – it was our conviction!

I told her no we hadn’t given on that bonus yet but we’d have to choose between giving my last $20 or getting a Christmas tree.  A tree . . . or God, what was our priority?

We looked at each other and said: “God.”

So, I happily put the twenty dollars in the offering plate, grateful to the Lord for His constant provision.  It wasn’t a difficult decision to make but I was trying to figure out the best way to tell the kids after church.  I’d use it as a teaching moment I guess . . .

So, after church, before we picked up the kids from Sunday School,  the school principal comes up to us and says:  “Hey, the school is finished with that Christmas tree up on the stage (which was bigger and much nicer than we would have been able to afford.)  Would you guys like to have it?”  (insert music from heaven here)  We both say: “YES!”   What a blessing, God is good!

THEN . . .

We still hadn’t picked the kids up yet and a lady walks up to us and hands us an envelope with fifty dollars in it.

WOW !!

(insert louder music from heaven here)

We were stunned.  We just stood there teary eyed and  thanking God.  Thanking God . . .  thanking God . . .

Over the years things have sometimes been good  – and we’ve had plenty.  Other times things were not so good – and things were pretty tight financially.  But, during all those years we have stood on the immovable promises of God.  He IS our provider!!

You can trust Him too.  Try it . . .

Love you guys,

Steve 🙂

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)

“ . . . put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”  Malachi 3:10b