I Corinthians 16:1-2 showed me that if I would just do my part and give that, the church would not need to take up “special offerings” because the tithes would more than support God’s work.

II Corinthians 9:6-15 hit me between the eyes!!!  It showed me that giving 10% was just the starting point.  The deeper I fell in love with Christ the more I want to give.  It was hypocritical of me to claim that I trusted Jesus with my eternity but then would not trust Him with my checkbook.

II Corinthians 9:15 was the NAIL in the coffin–God is a giver, a gracious giver…a generous giver, I deserved hell…but when I cried out to Him Jesus saved me!!!  That is a gift!!!

I finally came to the point where I confessed to God that I had been robbing Him (Malachi 3:8-9) and repented of this.  It was NOT easy because every time I wrote my tithe check I would think of other areas in which I could spend that money.  BUT the Holy Spirit often reminded me, “Giving is one of the ONLY tangible ways that you can demonstrate your love for me!”  God demonstrated HIS love by giving!!!  (John 3:16)

That’s my story.  I am one of those people who can say it was a struggle for me to get to this point…but now that I am here I can’t afford NOT to tithe!!!

Folks…it is all God’s–everything.  I am merely a steward of His gifts…and if He says to put HIM FIRST (Proverbs 3:9-10) then I will do that–He hasn’t led me astray–EVER–besides, I spent many years without Him involved in my finances and got into nothing but trouble!!!  I had nothing to lose.

One more thing…tithing is the first step in putting God first, but it is NOT the only step.  I discovered this in 2007…that I needed to learn how to live on a budget–that I needed to make wise financial decisions, that I needed to STOP buying things on impulse, that I needed to invest…

NO ONE was teaching this…and to be honest, combine this with the fact that I began tithing and I REALLY began to see some daylight.

That is why I think everyone at 5 Point who has never attended Joe Sangl's Financial Freedom class NEEDS to be here Friday and Saturday morning.  When you get there we aren’t going to try to sell you ANYTHING!!!  We don’t want anything FROM you–we want something FOR YOU!!!

If I could beg each person personally–I would!!!  You have no excuse…we will even have dinner prepared for you…just sign up by calling the church office at 850-0580.

“What if I don’t attend 5 Point, but I want to come to the class!”  COME ON!!!  This isn’t about 5 Point…this is about God’s kingdom!!!!

This is my story…God has done a work in me…I pray He will do the same for all of us!