You Can't Out-Give God

We say it all the time--"We have never known a student not to be able to go on Operation Barnabas because of money." Some teens believe us, trust God, and then see Him do incredibly things by providing. Others are too afraid and never get to see Him work a miracle. These are principles that we teach to our own two kids, as well as to Operation Barnabas students and National Institute students, but I must admit I need reminded again and again of these same truths...So here's my story:

Our church, Community Grace, is interested in purchasing the house next door to our facility as it has come up for sale. A number of people have done a good deal of work to see how this could happen. We are now to the point where the leadership of the church is being informed of this opportunity, how this property could be used in kingdom work, and asking what we as leaders might be led of the Lord to do in providing financially for this purchase. Dana and I have been talking and we brought Nick and Bekah into the conversation...

The other night we talked as a family about this opportunity. We received some financial gifts in the past couple years, and even though they had been "tithed from", we felt convicted that we needed to do the same. We know there is no way to out-give God. He owns it all and it is our pleasure to be wise stewards of what he has entrusted to us. Now how He is going to provide for that?

So as a family we made the decision to give a gift-- for a specific amount. But we still didn't know where the money to cover that would be coming from. Did I mention that we always say "You can't out-give God"? Now it was time to be reminded and amazed.

The next day I went to get our taxes done. We had done some things a little differently this year with some of our taxes being withheld etc, so I had no idea how this was actually going to work out (but you probably have an idea of where this is going...). When we got done with all the paperwork, (2 hours worth!), we not only are getting back the same amount from the government we usually have gotten back--we are also getting back the exact amount that we had pledged as a family the night before for this project! I was so surprised, I had to share all this with the lady doing our taxes.

Reminded and amazed. Not just good teaching stuff, but a solid reminder to me right now--there is no greater joy than investing in the things of God. And at times that doesn't make sense. But it does to God.

So the next time someone wants to go on OB or to Momentum or on a missions trip or... and they really believe that God wants them to do this, I've got another story for them.