With a current pandemic, people are living off of unemployment and food stamps and there are concerns for future economic stability. So the last thing most people want to read about is tithing. But hear me out.

Many years ago, I was staring at my bank account and questioned whether or not I’d be able to tithe that month. I sat at the kitchen table, stared at my bank account, read scripture on tithing, prayed about it, and submitted my tithe online.

I recall thinking to myself, “This is where faith comes in. If my bank account goes into the negative towards the end of the month, it’ll be OK. But, I know, according to scripture, that when I tithe, God opens the floodgates of blessings. So, here we go. I’m all in God.”

And the result? During that month, I received a few checks in the mail that were refunds to me from previous bills that were apparently overpaid. My account did not go into the negative. And the final result? I’m a PA now and I have steady income.

In 2011, when applying to PA school, I saw that they offered a scholarship that would cover approximately 75% of tuition/fees. The catch was that you had to be accepted and enrolled into the program before applying for the scholarship.

Just to emphasize, you had to be locked into the program and have a way to pay for the program, before even applying for this scholarship.

Because I knew that God wanted me to become a PA, I applied for the program, got accepted, took out student loans, and applied for the scholarship during my first semester of the program.

And the result? I DIDN’T get the scholarship!

And my response? I prayed. And I remember this prayer. “God, you are faithful. If I didn’t get that scholarship, it’s because someone else in this program needed it more than I did. As you’ve done before, I’ll get through this debt with your grace and mercy once I graduate.”

And the result? During our second semester, a classmate was awarded another huge scholarship that covered all of her expenses for school. She then returned the initial scholarship back to the school and told them to forward it to the next student in line.

Guess who that was? ME!

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do”, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10 NLT

As it says in the book of Malachi, put God to the test with your finances. Because in a time of financial crisis, now is the time to put God to the test.

When you submit your tithe to God’s house, you’re telling Him that you trust Him. You’re telling God that while you’re standing in the valley of an empty bank account, you’re looking upwards to the heavens, waiting for his blessings to come pouring back down to you.

When you submit a tithe despite the financial worry in your heart, you’re telling God that you know His love for you is greater than all the money in the world. You’re telling God that you’re living by faith and not by sight. You’re telling God, “I know you don’t need this money God but I need you. I’m giving you what I have as your faithful child because you are the God that moves mountains. So, take what little that I have and move this mountain of financial crisis.”

God doesn’t need your money. He needs you. All of you. Your thoughts, your heart, your worries, your fears, your laughter, your physical needs, and your tithes.

When my husband and I got married, we knew we had to merge bank accounts. We keep an “open book” policy about everything in our relationship, especially the finances. All of the finances. Every expenditure, deposit, credit card, and subscription.

I am trusting my husband to work with me on finances and he expects the same.

Now, imagine a God that doesn’t even need the money. A God that simply wants to look at your checkbook in order to see your financial heart during a pandemic. Why? So He can BLESS you!

Put him to the test.

Reach into your heart, your soul, and your bank account, and tithe. Put Him to the test and see the results.

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” -2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT