You Can’t Out-Give God
- By Lynn Powers
- Published 11/10/2008
- Religion
- Unrated
Lynn Powers
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After nearly five years of trying and two miscarriages, I was pregnant. Our entire family was elated! But we already had two teen boys and money was tight. I prayed fervently that God would supply our needs.
Soon after I began praying, my parents came to visit. Mom held out an envelope and said, “Grandma sent this for you.”
My grandmother? The one who survived the depression and rarely gave me anything more than $1.00 bill in my birthday card? I opened the envelope and inside was a check for $500.00. My mother explained that “Oma” had helped one of my sisters with a down payment for her house and felt that she needed to be equitable in distributing funds to the rest of us. My mind raced, picturing the crib, clothes, and many baby supplies I could purchase!
I cashed the check and made one small purchase before my husband brought me to a halt. We were having an ultrasound soon that would hopefully reveal the baby’s gender. He wisely pointed out that unless we wanted to spend the next weeks returning items, we should hold off.
Much to our despair, at the ultrasound, our baby refused to cooperate. We left, thankful to know that our little he or she was healthy but no wiser about what color clothes to purchase.
The next morning, I awoke frustrated with God for the ultrasound disappointment. My prayers consisted of complaining to God that we weren’t able to go out and purchase the items we wanted for the baby. Then God answered me. He said, “That’s not your money. I gave it to you for Scott and Kathy.” Our good friends were leaving soon on a mission trip. God was telling me to give up our needs for our friends.
But I resisted. We needed that money for the baby! Wasn’t that just as important? I told myself I got it wrong or that maybe it was the devil’s voice I’d heard. I called my Pastor to ask his advice. Neither he nor his wife was available.
I then frantically called my husband. I just knew he would say “no” to giving that money away. I was shocked when he told me that if God had prompted me to give it, I should give it.
I hung up the phone and flipped on the television. Joyce Meyer was speaking, and at that exact moment she delivered a word to me. “Why is it that when God tells us to do something we call all our friends and take a poll of what they think? Why don’t we just listen and obey God?” I didn’t even wait to hear the rest of the message. I was on the phone again, this time calling the church to find out how much was still owed on our friends’ trip. I was still reasoning to myself that the amount we had to give would probably not be enough anyway and wouldn’t make any difference. The receptionist didn’t have a total, but said she could get it for me. I told her I would be dropping by in a bit with a contribution.
When I arrived at the church, the receptionist gave me the total. My jaw dropped. The amount owed for both of our friends’ trip was the exact amount of cash I was holding in my envelope. I gave her the cash and took my receipt, hoping God knew what He was doing.
He did.
Because there was a 13 year gap between our youngest child and the expected baby, our church family blessed us with a baby shower, where we received all of the financial blessing back and then some. Every single small and large need was met for our dear son. On top of that, my husband’s office gave us a shower where we were again blessed beyond what the original amount was. Not long after that, my husband received a job offer that changed our life. Our income has expanded to support our three boys as well as the addition of yet a fourth child. I am also able to stay home with them.
I often wonder if God would have blessed us in the same way if we hadn’t obeyed and given that money away. I’m just thankful we did. He asked us to give out of our need. And when we obeyed, He proved His faithfulness by opening up the windows of heaven and pouring us out a blessing.
Soon after I began praying, my parents came to visit. Mom held out an envelope and said, “Grandma sent this for you.”
My grandmother? The one who survived the depression and rarely gave me anything more than $1.00 bill in my birthday card? I opened the envelope and inside was a check for $500.00. My mother explained that “Oma” had helped one of my sisters with a down payment for her house and felt that she needed to be equitable in distributing funds to the rest of us. My mind raced, picturing the crib, clothes, and many baby supplies I could purchase!
I cashed the check and made one small purchase before my husband brought me to a halt. We were having an ultrasound soon that would hopefully reveal the baby’s gender. He wisely pointed out that unless we wanted to spend the next weeks returning items, we should hold off.
Much to our despair, at the ultrasound, our baby refused to cooperate. We left, thankful to know that our little he or she was healthy but no wiser about what color clothes to purchase.
The next morning, I awoke frustrated with God for the ultrasound disappointment. My prayers consisted of complaining to God that we weren’t able to go out and purchase the items we wanted for the baby. Then God answered me. He said, “That’s not your money. I gave it to you for Scott and Kathy.” Our good friends were leaving soon on a mission trip. God was telling me to give up our needs for our friends.
But I resisted. We needed that money for the baby! Wasn’t that just as important? I told myself I got it wrong or that maybe it was the devil’s voice I’d heard. I called my Pastor to ask his advice. Neither he nor his wife was available.
I hung up the phone and flipped on the television. Joyce Meyer was speaking, and at that exact moment she delivered a word to me. “Why is it that when God tells us to do something we call all our friends and take a poll of what they think? Why don’t we just listen and obey God?” I didn’t even wait to hear the rest of the message. I was on the phone again, this time calling the church to find out how much was still owed on our friends’ trip. I was still reasoning to myself that the amount we had to give would probably not be enough anyway and wouldn’t make any difference. The receptionist didn’t have a total, but said she could get it for me. I told her I would be dropping by in a bit with a contribution.
When I arrived at the church, the receptionist gave me the total. My jaw dropped. The amount owed for both of our friends’ trip was the exact amount of cash I was holding in my envelope. I gave her the cash and took my receipt, hoping God knew what He was doing.
He did.
Because there was a 13 year gap between our youngest child and the expected baby, our church family blessed us with a baby shower, where we received all of the financial blessing back and then some. Every single small and large need was met for our dear son. On top of that, my husband’s office gave us a shower where we were again blessed beyond what the original amount was. Not long after that, my husband received a job offer that changed our life. Our income has expanded to support our three boys as well as the addition of yet a fourth child. I am also able to stay home with them.
I often wonder if God would have blessed us in the same way if we hadn’t obeyed and given that money away. I’m just thankful we did. He asked us to give out of our need. And when we obeyed, He proved His faithfulness by opening up the windows of heaven and pouring us out a blessing.