Recession Proof Your Finances
by Joseph Parker
There is one thing that is certain in these uncertain times of economic crisis, God is a faithful God. Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV) says: know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. One way I am sure to recession proof your finances is to give a portion (tithe, 10%) to God. Then that which remains in your hand will be sanctified and secure. The word of God says that his protection is upon the tither and that he would rebuke the devourer, (actually means seed-eater) for our sakes.
In Malachi 3:10-11 (NIV) it says: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. It stands to reason that if we take care of the house of God that he will take care of our house.
The tithe was established before the law. When Abraham returned from rescuing his nephew and family members from their enemies, Abraham gave to the Lord. In Genesis1:18-20 (NIV) it says: then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
God did not command Abraham to give of his spoils from battle as the story goes Abraham kept nothing from those spoils. He gave it all, and did so with an attitude of worship. Abraham was not obeying a law that God had set down because the law had not yet been established. He gave cheerfully, voluntary, and not grudgingly.
Abraham gave because of God’s deliverance over his enemies; he gave because God had returned the stolen goods that were taken by his enemies. He gave to Melchizedek, a king-priest who was a representative of God on earth. The combination of the offices of king and priest was not an unusual practice of the ancient near East.
We know that as the New Testament church we are not under any law to give, but Jesus commanded us to give. We are to give of ourselves, our time, our efforts, and of the fruit of our increase. God does not expect us to give everything that we get, only a portion of it. God’s representative, the church, on this earth needs to have a way to help the poor, the widows, the fatherless and so that the church may abound to every good work.
Jesus said in Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." We are to give compassionately, with generosity, voluntarily and wisely. 2 Corinthians 6:6-7 (NIV) says: remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
We should give out of a heart’s desire to be a blessing because God has blessed us. It is an act of worship, an expression of our love and adoration for God. Sometimes it requires sacrificial giving which means giving up something that we want in order to meet the needs of others through our giving. We are to freely give because we have freely received from God, in Matthew 10:8 (NIV) it says: Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Tithing teaches us to trust God, in that if we have little money when we give to God we are saying that we trust you to provide for us. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) says: and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Tithing is an act of obedience that God blesses it says in: Malachi 3:10 (NIV) bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Here is a giving testimony that I have to share, one time I was on a college tour and only had a little money to buy food and something to drink. When I was in Chicago, IL I was walking to the Sears tower and I saw a homeless man who was begging for money. I only had two dollars to my name and two days left on the college tour, but I decided to give to this man. My thought in giving was that I could go two days without food so as I gave I wondered how long it had been since this man had eaten. Within hours of giving that money away, God blessed me with five times the amount that I had given. So giving with a cheerful heart and with good intentions God will bless.
I believe with all my heart that if you want to recession proof your life, give to God. He will see you through this difficult time of economic trouble. My pastor has a saying, “the seed that leaves my hand never leaves my life.”