I am currently unemployed and have been for the past 8 months. I currently collect unemployment and am barely making it by right now. I do thank God because it is better than nothing! I love God and serve Him to the best of my ability and do desire more of Him but I find myself being really frustrated with Him as of late.
You see, I am a tither and have been so obediently and faithfully for years. I have no problem with tithing, in fact, it has become automatic and satisfying for me when I recieve my check to give back a tenth of what I have been blessed with. Even tithing the tenth of what I receive from unemployment.
One of my desires (when I get more money) is to consistently give more (over and beyond tithing) for the advancement of the kigdom of God and to organizations/causes that support poor children in the poorest nations of the world like Haiti. But last night, in my frustration, I had a heart to heart with God and asked Him why am I still going through what I am going through? Why wasn’t I prospering? I feel like I am lacking, stuck and not moving.
I have even received prophetic words from men of God telling me that my situation getting ready to change (and they even said by certain dates). And I believe what was said and stood on what was said because I believe the Lord says to believe in His prophets so that you may prosper. But many of the specified dates and time has come and gone with NO CHANGE! Which naturally causes me to become discouraged. Maybe I am not understanding right regarding tithing? Your insight is greatly appreciated.
Instead of relying on the word of men you call prophets and then complaining to God when their prophecies don’t come true, you might consider reviewing what He’s already told you. For example in Luke 6:38 says,
“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.”
In 2 Cor. 9:6 Paul wrote:
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
and in verses 10-11 he said,
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
These verses tell us that we have to give before we can receive, just like the farmer has to plant before he can harvest. You’re saying that as soon as the Lord increases your income you’ll give more to help the poor. That’s like the farmer saying as soon as the harvest increases he’ll start planting more seed.
We’ve been led to believe that giving 10% to the Lord is being generous, but according to the Bible it’s only the minimum expectation. If we only gave our waiter a 10% tip after a great meal and wonderful service, he’d be offended.
Also, you seem to be saying that because you’ve given faithfully, you believe God now owes you something in return. Our giving does us no good if it’s done with an expectation of receiving. But when we give out of gratitude for what we’ve already received and would be grateful even if we never received anything more, then God is pleased and wants to bless us even more.
I realize I may have completely misread your intentions, and if so I ask for your forgiveness. But please consider this carefully and with much prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal whether these things be true or not.