Blessed is He that considers the poor, for in his time of trouble, the Lord will deliver him (see Ps 41:1). This is a scripture I found many years ago, and took it to heart. God would get me out of trouble if I considered the poor. That sounded like a great promise, and since God keeps His promises, I decided to do my part. This is not about tithing, it is separate. When Ken and I first married, he was going to university to complete his degree, and I was the only one working full time. Money was very tight and we ate a lot of cheap meats like liver, hamburger and chicken. Our grocery budget then was about $30.00 per week. When we decided we needed to tithe, it would take all our grocery money that week.
Well Sunday, we took the plunge with anticipation of how things would work out. We had a few groceries left in the house. I was more skeptical than Ken because my family never went to church, let alone tithe. God says, prove me, and see if I will do what I say (see Mal 3:10). That Tuesday an unexpected letter arrived. It was a small inheritance from Ken’s grandfather’s estate of $500.00. His grandfather had passed away over 18 months ago and nothing had been said or was expected. We praised God and jumped up and down, and were so very delighted, now we could get groceries.
We have never stopped tithing since our first month of marriage and we have always had our needs met. Some complain that God doesn’t give them what they have asked for, but the word is NEEDS not GREEDS. My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (see Phil 4:19). Now discovering the scripture of giving to the poor, we launched out into doing this one.
A wonderful elderly lady in our church gave herself to prayer and moved in a powerful prophetic anointing. She was going to have to go to work, due to lack of finances, which would affect her ministry of prayer. We decided to give her $50.00 a month. It was enough that she could stay home. Remember this was 40 years ago. This beautiful older saint mentored me in the prophetic and in prayer. God began laying people, situations, and projects on our hearts, above tithing, to give into. We ourselves didn’t have much then, but there was always someone worse off whom we could help. As we prospered more we could give more.
I remember one time I was 8 months pregnant and had taken our adopted daughter to the doctors. It was very cold outside and my daughter was very woozy, and sick. We had adopted her as an older child and being so pregnant it was all I could do to get us to the car. I tried to start the car and it wouldn’t start. We lived in the country but we were at the doctors, in the city. I didn’t have enough money in my purse for a cab. No busses ran to where we lived. What could I do? I tried to start the car again and again. I tried to start it 10 times, but it wouldn’t start. Now the situation is desperate. It was getting colder and colder in the car. I didn’t have a cell phone back then to call anyone, but I could call on the name of the Lord in my time of trouble. I simply prayed, “God Your Word says, if I help the poor you will help me in a time of trouble”. I felt to try the car again. The starter immediately engaged and we were off.
After we arrived home safely, my husband checked the car. He told me the starter motor was fried and he didn’t know how I got home. We praised God for His goodness and faithfulness. I have used this scripture more than once in a time of trouble, and over and over again God has helped us. We now give to missions, orphanages, and outreaches that help the poor. God is faithful to His Word. Are you afraid of the future? I suggest you try what we did and sow into His Kingdom and let your Father look after you. He has promised to protect you and to take care of you. He is a good dad, with many promises for you. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you”.
Love Jeanne