You Can't Out-Give God!

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.  Malachi 3:10

I know this verse is talking about tithing, but I believe it speaks to the generosity that is God's heart.  And because of that, I write.

I am married to a most generous man.  A virtue I wasn't entirely thrilled with when I first discovered it buried within his humble heart.  The way I saw it, giving was nice.  A good thing.  But certainly not a trait with which one should go overboard.  And definitely one needing consideration.  And absolutely one I now cherish.

While I have come to love this blessing called "giving", I know I still have far to go, but I cannot sit silent tonight after experiencing the floodgates of heaven this week.  I absolutely have to testify to the goodness of my God!  

I had had a concern in my heart about a certain "gift" Tim wanted to give.  And about the time that I got on board, he became concerned.  For several weeks, we considered our options, until finally we jumped off the teeter-totter of indecision, told God we knew He would supply any and all of our needs, and with peace in our hearts, we gave.

I hadn't considered it a test.

But He passed it!

Abundantly!

Within five days, we received half of our "gift" back in exceptionally unexpected ways - both financially and materially.  Surprisingly and emotionally.

The new refrigerator (Joanna, I'm praying that God gives you another stainless steel refrigerator that is an inch skinnier!  You blessed my socks off!  Thank you!) in my kitchen is (just part of the) proof that God provides all our needs!  The refrigerator that cost us less than a quarter of the sale price - and it's brand new!  

Further proof is the 3/8" (or was it 5/8") coupling holding the water hose in place on the refrigerator's backside - the kind of coupling that Home Depot doesn't carry (neither does Sears or JCPenney), but the kind of coupling that Home-Depot-Guy-asking-lost-looking-red-headed-woman-in-plumbing-aisle (Am I lost?  Are you kidding?  I'm a woman in the plumbing department!  Of course I'm lost!) "just happened" to have on his desk under some papers.  

The kind of coupling that someone else special ordered - but didn't buy!  

The kind of coupling that doesn't even exist in the Home Depot inventory, ergo, won't scan at the register.  

Yeah... THAT kind of coupling!

The kind of coupling that God used to remind me that HE WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS!

My heart is full tonight.  His blessings astound me and I am in awe... and humbled.  Try as you might, you can't out-give God!   

Though testing His generosity was not my intention, He saw fit to prove Himself!  And so I give Him glory for He alone deserves it all!

I've said it before, and I say it again.  Trust Him.  Get out of the boat - the boat of worry, doubt or concern.  

He walks on the stuff you're drowning in.  

He can handle it!  

Let Him care for you!