Three Miracles One Family & the Tithe

Malachi 3:10-11
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,"Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes...

Ever since we launched the house church network in Renton Washington we incorporate giving tithes and offerings a part of the worship service.  We give our tithes and offerings to the Lord for the purpose of worship.  It is to express our love and adoration for our heavenly Father.  Sometime during the song service an elder will lift their voice and make a declaration something like this:

• Lord, we worship you now with the tithes and offerings that have been presented by the families throughout the week.  For those who have given a tithe (Mal. 3:8-11) open the widows of heaven and pour out a blessing and rebuke the devourer.  For those who gave a first fruit offering, fill their barns with plenty and make their vats overflow with new wine (Prov 3:9-10).  For those who have given an offering remember that seed time and harvest never end (Gen. 8:22).  For those who gave alms pay them back what they have given (Prov. 19:17).

We've taught our people to EXPECT and exercise their faith when they give.  Remember the covenant and lets use our faith to put a demand upon God's faithful word. 

Testimonies
Today after service a mom told me about three testimonies. 

This family has four awesome children and in the last several months they've really experienced some tough financial challenges due to three medical emergencies.  One daughter had appendicitis this summer ($46,000 doctor bill), the mom had a medical emergency and their son broke his arm recently too. 

As soon as I heard their son had broken his arm I called and left a voice mail praying for him and in the process prayed about the bill too.  He was in severe pain too.  They reported as soon as we prayed the severe pain stopped.  They verified it broke but required no surgery.  Praise God! 

Can you imagine doctor bills that amount for more than you make in a year?  What a weight!

Now for the testimony!  Remember, if you tithe, and this family tithes faithfully, God will REBUKE the DEVOURER and open the widows of heaven for you.  The $46,000 doctor bill; forgiven!  The bill for the broken arm; forgiven!  The Mom's emergency room visit, 50% forgiven! 

Personally, I had surgery last year and long story short the doctors office and the insurance company had some real challenges such that they refused to pay $5000 worth of the last surgery to remove the screws from my foot.  After 9 months of the doctors office and the insurance company fighting over it, the insurance refused to pay.  The doctors office called to report what happened, and then said, they felt bad about it and chose to forgive 80% of the bill. 

How awesome is that?  Thank you Lord!  God is a covenant keeping God!