And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
One area that a couple has to work through after restoration is finances. While money is a part of our stewardship, I want you to understand not only how to give back to God some of what you have been entrusted with but to comprehend that all that you have is the Lord’s.
Perhaps you have faithfully given your tithes and offerings to the Lord during your stand. Your returned mate now questions that practice. What should you do? God will honor your faithfulness in tithing, regardless of the amount. We know several wives who tithe off their household money. Some husbands in similar situations tithe off their lunch and gas money.
God knows our hearts. If you desire to tithe but are prohibited from doing so by a returned spouse, the Lord will honor and bless you as you are obedient in doing what He leads you to do.
God loves us so much that He allows us to participate in carrying out His will by giving. We fail to carry out His will when we fail to give back to Him some of what He has given us.
“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.” Luke 6:38
Have you been tithing to your church? You may be led to give offerings above the tithe to ministries, but we strongly feel that you need to be obedient to the Lord and tithe to your church.
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse— the whole nation of you— because you are robbing me. 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 3:8-10
What a powerful scripture! Where else in the Bible does God say, “Test me.” He is saying, “I will show you.” When I read this scripture, I know that I know He will not fail you or me. Try as we may, we cannot outgive our Lord.
Don’t ever feel like tithing is a duty. God is more concerned with the heart behind the gift. He gives us resources to use and to invest to see His Word continue to go forth.
During the very early days of Rejoice Marriage Ministries, our budget for one fall month was far from being met. Several ministry bills were due, and we were attempting to send out a newsletter. We had not yet seen the Lord meet the needs. That week had been payday for both of us at our full-time jobs. Bob suggested that we tithe to the ministry instead of to our church.
We did so, but only that one time. The ministry finances were a disaster that following week. It was as though the Lord spoke to us, “If you want to pay the bills without waiting on me, go ahead, I’ll step aside.” In addition, we carried the burden of not having supported our church that week. God can be trusted in our giving.
Let’s talk about being good stewards of our time. Our stands did not end when our mates walked back in the door. In fact, our stands should have only intensified. Time spent alone with the Lord is as important right now as it ever was during the past. You need to steward that well. Your spouse needs your prayers as much, if not more, right now. Satan is not giving up on destroying your marriage and claiming the souls of some of your family just because the one you love found their way back home.
A restored marriage will, without question, increase your time pressures. In addition to the time you now spend with the Lord, your returned mate will need time with you. Unless you seek the Lord’s help with your stewardship of time, you will be making timely decisions in your power. When that happens, a regrettable progression will take place. Your time with the Lord will be one of the first areas to suffer from time pressures. When that time is reduced or even omitted, the door is opened for the enemy to cause confusion.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
These are fresh and exciting days, both with your Lord and with your returned mate. Constantly seek the Lord’s help in your stewardship of money and time so that He can allow your family to be all that He intended.
God bless,
