Do your Offerings Count?

[FourBee]

 A   True   Story some 37 years ago
 
An elderly couple had moved next door to a church they attended.   The husband later died and her son helped her make the adjustment, and even set up a budget for her.   The $10 a month offering would have to cease.     The little old lady protested, but her son persisted that she simply could not afford it anymore.   So she submitted to his wishes.   

One morning she woke up late hearing beautiful singing coming from the church house.   And the sunlight was so bright coming through her bedroom window.   Looking at the clock it said 3:O'Clock.  It couldn't be that late she thought as she arose and went to the window.    Outside, standing between the church and her house stood a large Choir of 45 people facing her house. 
Their singing being orchestrated by their leader in great sweeping arm movements as they sang on.    Then she noticed it was dark all around except for the immediate area, and the bright light just seemed to appear from nowhere.   Suddenly the choir stopped and they all leaned to one side as if looking at her in the window, they began blowing her kisses and waving at her, when the Leader turned around and in one big gesture, blew her a kiss and smiled.   Then she recognized him, it was her husband...   God spoke to her heart and said  ~  these are all the souls that were saved thru your offerings over the years.

She went thru the house turning on all the lights, and called up the Pastor, who also lived close by the church.  He thinking she was probably having a stroke or something hurried into her house only to find her writing a check.

[Bob Riebe]

A   True   Story some 37 years ago
 
An elderly couple had moved next door to a church they attended.   The husband later died and her son helped her make the adjustment, and even set up a budget for her.   The $10 a month offering would have to cease.     The little old lady protested, but her son persisted that she simply could not afford it anymore.   So she submitted to his wishes.   

One morning she woke up late hearing beautiful singing coming from the church house.   And the sunlight was so bright coming through her bedroom window.   Looking at the clock it said 3:O'Clock.  It couldn't be that late she thought as she arose and went to the window.    Outside, standing between the church and her house stood a large Choir of 45 people facing her house. 
Their singing being orchestrated by their leader in great sweeping arm movements as they sang on.    Then she noticed it was dark all around except for the immediate area, and the bright light just seemed to appear from nowhere.   Suddenly the choir stopped and they all leaned to one side as if looking at her in the window, they began blowing her kisses and waving at her, when the Leader turned around and in one big gesture, blew her a kiss and smiled.   Then she recognized him, it was her husband...   God spoke to her heart and said  ~  these are all the souls that were saved thru your offerings over the years.

She went thru the house turning on all the lights, and called up the Pastor, who also lived close by the church.  He thinking she was probably having a stroke or something hurried into her house only to find her writing a check.

If true, yes, giving counts; what is in one's heart when one gives, counts more.

[okielectrician]

I agree

Mark12:41-43
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[j]worth only a fraction of a penny.[k]
 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

[Mike in Virginia]

4B, your post reminds me of my neglect.  I will do better.  Last Sunday, my wife handed me $20 and told me to put it in the plate. When it came around, I put in $5.  What a sinful, selfish act!  But then, after hearing the sermon, and after people had left the church, I put the twenty with the five.  Not much, I know, but from that experience and your post, I will act differently hence forth. As you clearly show, money is evil only if we keep it or use it for our own ends.  The possibility that tithes may indirectly allow a church to save just one lost soul, places a responsibility on us to give, and to give cheerfully. I thank you.   

[powderman]

Thanks for sharing that. We firmly believe in tithing. We will always have wants, but all of our NEEDS are met. It does take money to run a church and keep its doors open. Some churches are failing because theres scarcely enough coming in to pay the bills. Sad. POWDERMAN.

[boatboy]

This is a powerful thread

Thank You

Hank

[powderman]

Our church is very small with little income but our expenses are low. Our Pastor won't accept one thin dime, my wife and I volunteer to clean the church every week. We support a ministry in the Phillipines, $100 a month. One of the missionarys was with us this past Sunday, he and his wife were a real blessing. I asked about the recent attacks by muslims there. He said it is very dangerous for Christians especially. He said the godless ones kidnap and murder innocents at will. He said that most of these attacks against Christians are simply glossed over and that the muslims intend to take over the country, big shock there. Anyway, yes, tithes and offerings do help to save souls. Don't cheat God out of his share. POWDERMAN. 

[slim rem 7]

the princible of tithing ,,i won t try to explain..but try doing it for a while..i think you will like the results..no promises that you will become wealthy ..but you will be better for it..slim..