God delights in surprises!
The Bible says in Acts 20, 35: “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That is so true. Yet, to receive can be a very humbling experience!!!
The first time I was on my way to Europe to go to Bible School, I sold my Falcon Ford. It was just enough to pay for my plane ticket. You might think great! For me it was a problem. You see, I had made a commitment a few years before to tithe on EVERY money that came into my possession. The plane ticket had to be paid for. Waiting was not an option. So, what do I do? I paid the ticket and went to my knees regarding the amount I would have tithed off the sale of my car. God was more than able to provide that extra money somehow. He did. The answer just wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.
A high school friend wanted to get together before I left the country. Great. Since she had married and had their first child, she didn’t have a whole lot of time for friends. It was due to the fact that she and her husband both had several jobs just to stay afloat and support their little family. Still, time was made and we were able to spend an afternoon together. It was a special time.
When she delivered me to my doorstep, she took out her checkbook and proceeded to write out a check for me. I protested. They didn’t have any extra money. There was no way I was going to take money from her. As she folded the check and handed it to me, she looked me in the eye and said, “God wants me to give you this money!” Those words shut up my protesting real fast. Furthermore, it was very humbling to actually take the check from her. Moreover, I was totally overwhelmed when a glance at the check revealed the exact amount I was praying for!
Being a missionary, I have since learned grace and humility in receiving. Most often support does not come from those I would have imagined. But rather from those who do not have much money or are already supporting other missionaries or organizations. If you are one of my supporters, I thank you so much for the lessons in generosity you continually teach me. Truly it is more blessed to give than to receive!
Phil 4,19: And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. That is so true.
One time in Austria I had run out of money with almost two weeks still to go before the next paycheck. There had been extra expenses that month. What was I going to do? Pray. Pray I did! That evening I attended a prayer meeting where I was to share about the ministry. So, I shared about what God was doing and asked prayer for different ministry needs. Nothing was mentioned about finances.
After the meeting two different ladies came up to me and slipped money into my hands. One lady said it was for the ministry, the other lady stressed that her money was for me personally. It was enough to get thru the rest of the month! God had provided!
It is an awesome privilege we have to approach the throne of grace with our needs and requests. I love to challenge children to give their own money for different mission projects or needs that they hear about. If they don’t have money, I challenge them to pray for the amount they would like to give. The story I love to share has to do with just that.
While I was in Canada on furlough, there was a student at PBI who was in need. The extra money to help out wasn’t in my budget, so I prayed. Moreover, I prayed for a specific amount. Shortly afterwards I went for a bike ride. At one point, I got off my bike to park it but was stopped by something lying on the ground just beside the front tire. It was a bill. In fact, it was the exact amount I had just prayed for.
There have been other times I have found money (NOT in a wallet!) just lying on the ground after I had prayed due to a specific need. God delights in meeting our needs. God delights in helping us help others. Do you sense God is challenging you to help a specific need? Perhaps it is a friend who is struggling, a church project, a missionary or missions project. You think you don’t have the funds to help out. Pray. Ask God to provide a specific amount to meet the need then keep your eyes open to see how He answers. His answer just might blow you away!
We serve an awesome, generous God!
Blessings,
mari
He truly is so very faithful. And, uses everyone in the family in each other’s lives. So glad to be His child!
Comment by Gail Beagin — October 18, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
OK – God sent you a check to pay the tithe on the sale of the car, but – did you tithe off the check He sent you, or do you still owe that?
Also, are you saying we should leave money lying on the ground just in case some missionary is praying for it?
Comment by Dean Isaacson — October 18, 2010 @ 6:33 pm
Mari:
Wonderful article! Your writing inspires me. And you do so well in expressing your thoughts. I need to learn how to receive humbly. Maybe it’s not always financially, but also in other situations. For example, following a church service one evening, someone approached me and offered to drive me home. I told him I’ll take the bus. Months later, while I was with my neighbors, this same person came along and told my neighbors that I did not let him take me home. I felt badly about the whole matter. I need to learn to accept help when others are willing to offer it. I’m the sort of person that I don’t want others to go out of their way for me. I, thereby, fail to let others receive a blessing from God.
Lorenz
Comment by Lorenz Oscar — October 19, 2010 @ 10:26 pm