Photo Credit: Dunni Adamu
Childlike Obedience. Today, I want to talk about the supposedly uncorrelated events that occurred prior to my MacBook miracle. I’ve practiced tithing, first fruits and first fruit of increase for many years now. I’ve also paid them religiously, even when it seems ridiculous to pay. I’ve paid them in times of lack and in plenty. And I’ve continued to pay them even when it seemed nothing was happening, like heaven wasn’t taking note of them. I paid them still. But of course, not without pain. Sometimes, they’re paid with so much struggle. Like the most recent first fruit of increase which just got paid.
After I resumed at my station in Bayelsa last November, I knew without a doubt that I would have to pay my first fruit of increase. The thought (though a happy thought) wasn’t exactly a pleasant one because I was being owed over two months salaries from my previous place of work. And as a result, I had incurred a lot of debt. And I desperately wanted them cleared off! That November, after getting paid at my new station, my first fruit of increase was due but it completely skipped my mind. I was also moving into my new home in Yenagoa, so ritual got tossed in the euphoria of everything else that was happening. Eventually, even when I remembered, I was too cumbered to make it happen. I told myself I would do it in December.
December came along, and there was a long list of debts waiting to be attended to. And I knew, that I couldn’t pay my first fruits of increase and be at peace that December. It broke my heart to be so weak in my faith and trust God that He would do a miracle. I move it up again to the coming month. As January’s salaries approached, with fewer debts to attend to, I made a firm decision to pay my first fruit. In fact, on the 31st of January, in my email to you, I chipped in a little word about first fruits and tithing. It felt a little out of place for me. And I thought it wouldn’t make sense to anyone. In fact, I was certain, I was writing it for myself alone.
A few days before that my kid brother had a major need. I was moved by his need and offered to loan him my first fruit of increase. I felt his need was so pressing, and I’m about to pay this huge sum as first fruit of increase, why not use it to help someone and pay it off much later. Immediately I told him I could lend it to him, I felt quite uneasy. I said I was going to discuss it with my husband, which I never did, because by the close of that day, I finally resolved I was going to pay it. Pay this thing! I heard my spirit say within me. A few days before that my kid brother had a major need. I was moved by his need and offered to loan him my first fruit of increase. I felt his needed was so pressing, and I’m about to pay this huge sum as first fruit of increase, why not use it to help some
Next thing, I received a mail from one of my devoted readers who has now become a bosom friend, and she tells me about her struggle with her first fruit. (She too had just resumed work in a new station etc.) However, after reading my mail that January 31st, she knew that she had to pay up her first fruit immediately. Read her words:
“…so the last part of today’s mail was talking about giving God what we owe Him and as a I read first fruits my hurt tugged cos I’ve been having a dilemma here wondering if I could actually pay first fruits this year with pretty high medical bills for my mom who will likely need to travel out for treatment after [my Traditional wedding] and the outstanding wedding costs….so mentally I’ve just been like is it feasible to pay this with the medical bills I need to cover and not knowing exactly when my next work and payment will come through [I work as a consultant and get paid as work comes]….Then your mail comes in and I also get a credit alert that could clear out ALL MY outstanding for the Trad and cover tickets for my folks for the wedding. As I’m typing, I’m even laughing coz I know I need to go and pay that first fruit tomorrow to my church…”
I replied telling her how encouraged I was by her mail, and that I believe it had come as both a warning and a nudge from God, telling me to ensure I paid my first fruit this time without fail. I also said to here, “He is setting us up for a great downpour of His supplies!! Now miracles will overwhelm us…” I was soooo encouraged, I broke into prayers and thanksgiving. Our salaries were finally paid first week in February. I paid my first fruit without thinking twice. Paid more debts too, LOL. And was left with very little to meet domestic needs. But I was at peace and that was perfect. On the 8th, my boss made the announcement about my MacBook. That day alone, I received two amazing financial miracles that made in wonder literally.
This is to encourage you to follow the little promptings that tug at your heart. And to obey God with childlike candor. A little here and a little there and it all adds up. In God, nothing happens in isolation. Everything adds up. It is in His mercies that He nudges us to obey because He knows what is ahead (a need, a disaster) and He is willing to turn it away if only we will obey. See A means of escape for reference.
Shalom.
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
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