To Tithe Or Too Tight?

"Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. Be careful what you do with the best you have. Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love gift. Take time to meditate before God and offer the blessing back to Him in a deliberate act of worship. If you hoard a thing for yourself, it will turn into spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when it was hoarded. God will never let you hold a spiritual thing for yourself; it has to be given back to Him that He may make it a blessing to others."

~ Oswald Chambers


“But I’m sick Ma’am,” uttered an inmate worker during an unexpected sick call request. He usually worked 12 hours in the kitchen, preparing foods. Just like others. He thought I would give him a chrono [medical note] for a few days “off-work” status.

“Sorry Sir,” I softly replied. “I heard your physical complaints but I couldn’t find any physical symptoms that would back up your claims. I am not ignoring your request. But how can I put you off of work when all of your vital signs are normal? You’ve been saying you have a cold. But your tonsils and throat are fine. There are no redness.” And the other symptoms I didn’t elaborate explaining. Knowing that they could potentially mimic those symptoms and fake their illness more.

Working for 10 years now in the prison, I have learned the inmate workers’ tactics of pretending to be sick. So they don’t have to work. They don’t want to work. At least, some of them. But not all of them. They are not willing to give their best to learn something that will make them proud. Or make them change their behavior as a result of doing a hard work. So, I have been careful to give “off-work” status.

When it comes to giving, lots of Christians struggle when it comes to “tithing”. While some churches over-emphasize it, others do not want to listen to the biblical exhortations about making this special offering for the Lord.

We are to give as we are able. It may mean giving more or giving less than the 10% we know of. Each one of us should seek the Lord for His wisdom as we participate in tithing or how much to give. [James 1:5 -”If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”]

Offerings should be given with pure motives and with an attitude of worship to God and as service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

So…question is…are you willing to tithe or you’re too tight?


What the people were thinking during offering in a church:

1st man: “Hmm…10% of $455=$45 & 50 cents. But I only have $46 in cash. I wonder if I could take my change in the basket.”

Lady in blue: “God, You’ve been so good to me. Thank You for Your provision in my life.”

Lady in red: “Where does all this money go? Shouldn’t the pastors know that we need softer toilet paper in the bathroom? I think that instead of giving money this week, I’ll buy the toilet paper that I like and give it to the church.”

Woman in black [after the girl]: “Lord, You know my needs. I give this in faith. Please cover my debts and make my car lasts a long time.”

Man with striped tie: “Since I sent my money to that television evangelist this week, I’ll count that as my tithe.”

Girl in pink top: “Lord gave me a dollar and I got to put it in!... Why do we do that anyway?”

Man with brown tie: “As soon as I get out of debt, I’ll start tithing.”

Woman in blue top: “10%? Where does that come from? What happens if I only get 5%? No way! That’s too high!”

Old man in pink shirt: “God, I know You see how much money I’ll give. I hope this pastor will appreciate it.”

Woman in black & white top: “Okay God! You know I’m giving more than the usual 10% this week. So, next week, I’m keeping it all.”

Man in blue shirt: “I cleaned the sanctuary this week. That’s worth about $50. What do you know? That’s 10% of what I make. I’m covered.”

Please visit Spiritual Sundays for other encouraging posts. It is always great to reflect on His love and to see what He is doing in each of His children's hearts. God bless you all.

I Don't Want To Be A Nurse

Years ago, my life long dream was to become an architect. I passed the college entrance exam in this university, known to be the top school back home. It was hard to get in. As excited as I was, my excitement died down instantly when my mom brought me to a dorm where I was supposed to live and which was very near to the school, run by nuns. Hearing all the strict rules doused my dream that wanted to go past beyond drawing on “Etch-A-Sketch” and lots of scribbling with different kinds of coloring materials.

That time was wasted. I ended up not taking Architecture as paperworks and opportunity to study here in USA happened. My second choice was to become a doctor. I love studying the effects of illnesses in a person’s body and even more so, to be involved in the healing process. Medicine would seem forever to take and costly. God opened a way. I became a nurse.

To make a long story short, I had been working in an Orthopedic part of a major hospital for almost 10 years. Until a neck injury occurred [did it? Or that was God’s way of bringing me to another place] and the severity of pain just made it impossible to stay any longer. He opened another road. One that led to Correctional Nursing. I have been working here in this facility for 10 years now. Today! Yes, today marks my 10th year as a prison nurse.

What about my dream of becoming an architect? God did grant it in my heart still. For since He found me, I have been working to improve my spiritual house. But even better. As He partnered with me. Yes, God is the Master Architect. You know Him. He only built the universe! Piece of cake for my Boss! The neat thing? He is also the Supplier of all that I need. You know, to build my life, redo my intentions and desires.

So being a nurse now? I don’t mind. Because I still get to do my first love of being an architect. I still draw plans. As long as I commit all of them with Him, nothing will go wrong [Proverbs 3:5,6]. I use Him as my foundation [Ephesians 2:20]. I can choose strong materials to make my house strong and sturdy against all the bad elements [Ephesians 6:10- “Be strong in the Lord’s mighty power”.]

I have the Master Architect available to help me out 24/7. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I am doing. I know I am not limited now to what I want to do. Knowing that through Christ, I can do everything! [Philippians 4:13].



Psalm 127:1 - Except The LORD build The House, they labour in vain that build it: except The Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

I Corinthians 3:11 - For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Wants Us To Eat! [You Read It Right!]

I’ve been busy this week. Monday started with me going to our county court house to serve in jury duty. The judge excused me, for which I was thankful to the Lord as it would be difficult for me to serve at this time.

Then, my child joined the try-out session for their school’s tennis so we’re hoping and praying that he would be selected. But only if the Lord wills that for him. He told me the other morning that whether he would be selected or not, it would be okay for him. Because he knows that the Lord’s direction would prevail in everything that he does. Glory to God for His wisdom!

So, day to day, I would wait for him until the training is over late in the afternoon, while I’ve been running errands in a fast pace the entire morning. Yesterday, I checked the pantry and noted that our bread supply was running low. So, off to the grocery store I went and bought some.

As I was waking up early this morning [or maybe I should have said, “as the Lord was waking me up this morning…”], the Lord’s prayer was playing in my mind:

“Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven…” This part stuck out to my brain receptors the most:

“Give us our DAILY BREAD”…

As I did my devotion this early morning, I know most of you already know what it means to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. But He is inviting us everyday to eat the “DAILY BREAD”. Jesus did not come to introduce a new religion. He came to tell about God’s love for mankind. That is you and me! He wants us to eat.

Jesus said again, “I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day. For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me, and I in them. I live by the power of the living Father who sent bread from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and not die as your ancestors did, even though they ate the manna.” [John 6:53-58].

Yes, Jesus has been inviting us to eat the living bread. It means accepting Christ into our lives and to become united with him. We are united by believing in his death [the sacrifice of his flesh] and resurrection. And also by devoting ourselves to living as he requires. It depends on the teaching of the Holy Spirit and trusting Him for His power. How do we know what He wants? Get a daily dose by reading His Word [Bible]. "I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." -Job 23:12 [ASV]

Jesus’ life has to become our own. So stop eating the physical bread. “Give us our daily bread, O Lord”…And He did…He gave mankind the spiritual bread from heaven that satisfies completely and leads to eternal life.

Wow! And my eyebrows were perhaps arched high as I looked at the prices of the bread now in the bread aisle…Expensive! For a day’s worth of being sustained with energy for just a day or few days. Compared to the heavenly bread which is for FREE and its sustenance lasts eternally.

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.” [John 6:35].

Jesus wants you [us] to eat!

On a personal note, I want to thank you all who come here and leave your footprints. I just want to let you know that I appreciate and read everything you had written down and I'm keeping them so sometimes, when I need encouragement, I go back and read them again. It's great to see you bro. Ike and Keystone who both have great godly wisdom to share! And so, most of you do, too. All my praise and thanks to the One Who makes this blogging possible! To God be the glory forever and ever. In all ages to come. I pray for the Lord to bless you all and continue to mold our hearts into His likeness. Daily. Please feel free to leave a comment. Because we become a blessing to each other. When I don't reply, just know, I do pay attention to each of the wisdom you all have to share. It's awesome! Love to you all in Christ.

No Drifting Away

“IUB”…Intrauterine bleeding…That was the diagnosis that came back with this 40 something female inmate sitting on the chair in front of me, as I read her chart and treatment records that came from ER. She had missed her monthly periods for many months and started having abdominal pain. From the ultrasound, the doctors saw a tiny cyst inside her uterus.

“Drink lots of water, Ma’am,” I advised. “So you won’t get dehydrated. You were bleeding a lot earlier.”

“When will I see the doctor again?”

“Soon. You just need to be patient,” I reassured.

“Well, when is that?” she queried with an impatient tone.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. When I told you “soon”, you need to trust me. Because here, we are not supposed to give you a specific time or hour or date. But when I say “soon”, it does happen. The reason you are not told is because of security purposes. I hope you understand,” I answered patiently.

“Okay. I know it’s true. But I am still having pain.” [She pointed to her lower abdominal area].

“I’m so sorry that you are still uncomfortable. Just be patient. You will be seen and I will do my best that it’s the soonest available time,” I added.

That’s the truth in the jail. Most inmates know that when they are told that the medical doctors will see them for follow-ups, that will occur. Except, having so many inmates who have gone to ER’s and other bad medical conditions, the doctors are always busy. Day to day, a list is generated for only a certain amount of patients. And the severity of their condition is assessed prior to being seen. The sicker they are, the higher they go up that list. They know that truth but they are not willing to wait. Some of them become disrespectful to staff, saying many bad things that are not necessary. Some fake their medical emergencies just to be seen right away. To their dismay. Because the nursing staff and the doctors would still be able to recognize the severity of their illnesses because of the symptoms that are manifested.

We, believers, have received that TRUTH. But living in this world, there are so many false teachings that surround us. It is a hard work to be able to be patient and to be able to pay careful attention to His Truth. It means fully listening to what His Word says. But the most important thing to do is to follow what He wants.

We all know Jesus is the truth as so many eyewitnesses had handed down this truth to us. We might have not seen the Doctor in the flesh but we know that we will see Him because of all the eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible.

Long time ago, Jesus said this to Thomas: “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway.” [John 20:29]

Our faith must always point to Christ. Be patient. That is the truth. For those who believe will see the Doctor. We don’t know when. But it will occur.

“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” -Hebrews 2:1

“What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak, and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so.” -Hebrews 2:3