Article May 19, 1997 Issue

Blessings times ten

Teresa Kay Doan

One thing that I always have loved about God is that He always provides ways to meet all our needs. One of these is what I like to think of as the law of sowing and reaping. It is such a beautiful concept—that as we share we will be blessed in return. Christ Jesus made this point when he said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over" (Luke 6:38).

Some time ago, I decided to quit my job, and my husband very lovingly supported me in this decision. We were used to two incomes, and at first it seemed very scary wondering how we would make out financially. As I thought and prayed about this situation, many ideas from God came to me. One was a line in a hymn that encourages everyone to "share Thy [God's] joy and spend it freely" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 58). We can spend love and joy confidently because there is always enough in our divine Father's love and joy account! I also looked up citations on tithing and giving in the Bible and in Mary Baker Eddy's writings. These proved very enlightening and inspired me to start giving much more to church than I had in the past.

This seemed radical at first, but it became very natural as I put it into practice. The Bible states: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 55:8, 9). This was a clear indication to me that while human intellect might question the wisdom of giving away more when less is coming in, it is a very practical step in honoring God in everyday life. It indicates that I am putting God first and worshiping Him with everything that I have.

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