July 27, 2005

 

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you in the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

--Malachi 3:10

 

One of the greatest mothers of all time was a lady by the name of Mary Crawley. She is the mother of a man who is an active and faithful member in our church here in Dallas. Don has told me numerous stories about his mom, but there is one that happens to be my favorite.

 

When that family came to this city, they didn’t have two pennies to rub together. Mary was a single parent and had to work several jobs just to make ends meet. But despite their hardships, the family would go to church every Sunday in downtown Dallas.

 

It was extremely tough for her to make it for her family in that day, as I’m sure it is for any single mother today, but she would always put aside their tithe to give to the Lord each week. In addition to that, it took money to ride the bus downtown each Sunday to attend church, so their meager resources were depleted even more.  

 

Every now and then, someone from the church would offer to give the family a ride, so they were able to save their bus money. When this happened, Don would ask his mom if he could keep it, but Mary said, “No, son. The tithe is the Lord’s and this bus money is just a gift from Him. We have a ride and God’s given us a wonderful church, so that money is going to the Lord and His work as well.”

 

This woman believed in a generous God who would meet and supply her every need. The Scripture says, “‘…because you were faithful in very little, have authority over ten cities’” (Luke 19:17). Do you believe that God is generous toward you? Do you believe that if you trust everything that you have and everything you are to the Lord that He will more than satisfy every longing of your heart?

 

Giving back to the Lord what He has blessed you with is a vital part of your worship to Him. God honors those who honor Him with their possessions, be they large or small. Trust and honor the Lord with your possessions, and He will bless you beyond measure.

 

IT IS TRUE THAT YOU CAN TELL THE DEPTH OF A

PERSON’S FAITH BY THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS MONEY.