TEN PERCENT! How was I supposed to go from giving nothing to giving ten percent of my earnings? There was just no way, it was impossible. This was how I felt in 2001 as I sat through my first stewardship campaign. I was willing to give, I even knew it was the right thing to do, but when the numbers were added up, there was a negative balance.

On my mouse pad at work, there is a picture of a mountain climber who stands on a narrow shelf in a mountain, looking up at a jutting overhang. Next to the overwhelmed climber in the picture is a Bible verse, “…With God, all things are possible!” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

As with the climber on my mouse pad, I knew the only way to reach my goal was to trust God to provide and take it a little at a time. For me, the key has been in setting attainable, short-term goals, adjusting when necessary and letting God take care of the rest.

When I spoke to one of my friends about this dilemma, she told me that she made her tithe a part of her monthly budget. Now why didn’t I think of that? Rather than thinking of my pledge to the church as coming from what was left over after I paid the bills, I would take it off the top just as I would any of the other monthly payments that I made. The impossible was beginning to look possible.

The final step in the process was setting up a plan of action. I set a goal to be at a full after-tax tithe in five years with landmarks to reach along the way. I still didn’t see how I would ever be able to give what I knew I should be giving, but I’ve trusted God to provide and make the money stretch.

In 2Corinthians 9:5-8, Paul tells us:

“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. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

While there were times when money was tight, God always provided all I needed and more. Through God’s provision, I was able to reach my goal of pledging a full tithe on my take-home pay in four years and a full pre-tax tithe in five years. Let me be clear and say that all I did was make a plan; God did the rest.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for your blessings and provision. Help us set goals and trust in you to provide the rest. Amen