Chapter 4 “I was Lost and Starving” The Word of Their Testimonies

Milestone #1: Testimonies of Tithing

“I was Lost and Starving”

Being here at RMI (Restore Ministries International) I've learned to keep trusting Him with everything...my finances, my income, my bills, my children, my job, my grandkids and co workers...Everything!!!!!!. It is ALL His and He is best to care for it all!! Praise Him!!!!

Now that I know the truth I will apply these principles by tithing FIRST and to my storehouse. There can be no hesitation. He deserves the honor of me giving in to Hm...everything else falls into place and in His will when I obey. It is a simple principle but not one I always find easy to follow. When I rely on myself instead of trusting in Him alone, this is when I fall short.

Dear Fellow traveler, Trust Him! He is all we need. Everything we have is His so all we are doing when we tithe and give offerings is giving back what belongs to Him. You can't out give God! Whenever I tithe or give something away, I am blessed. He will show you a need and then allow you to meet it only to give Him all the glory. It's wonderful!!!

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

I am so thankful for this ministry and the many lessons. I know how important this verse really is now because of the teachings. His Word is all I need! It is the most important thing in my life. Without His Word, I am lost and starving.

~Tammy

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“Bring Your Tithe and Heart”

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:10-12

In May 2013 the Lord took me out of my home to protect me, to deliver me and to take care of me in a deeper way. I couldn't understand at the time but in His mercy He is showing me day by day His grace, love and tenderness.

Since I started bringing my tithe to my storehouse, He has supplied all my needs. I don't need anything, of course I haven't got a car or a driving license yet, but they will come in His time and according to His will. Actually I have more than I need, a cozy bedroom, clothes, shoes, a 40" smart TV to watch my Christian videos, a bicycle which takes me to work, also food, a laptop, and now He is giving me books. Then this week He gave me my first study Bible! If I need to take a bus, train or taxi He pays the fares, He even took me to Brazil for a month and there He used my mum to pay for all my expenses!

So in May last year He was my Lord, one year later, He is my Husband.

“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; Be not confounded, For you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. Isaiah 54:4-8

The verses above have been giving strength to each one of us and it doesn't matter your situation He is faithful. I have been like Gomer, Hosea's wife towards the Lord. I have betrayed Him in so many ways but He never ever gives up on me and now He is turning my heart towards Him because:

“Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, And she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.” Hosea 2:6-7

So with this Praise Report I just want to thank my Lord for His faithfulness, for accomplishing His promises left in Malachi 3 and Hosea 2, and encourage you to bring your tithe but also your heart to His altar.

~ Sarah, Restored

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“Such Great Faith!!”

In the beginning of my tithing journey, I did not understand the concept of the whole tithe. The church that I attended was very serious about tithing as well, in fact, you could not hold a leadership position if you were not tithing. Whenever we discussed tithing the debate regarding pre or post tax earnings was always hotly discussed. The direction of the Pastor was to tithe where you wanted to see a blessing. Well, I wanted to see a blessing in the money that I "took home" after taxes so I always tithed on my take home pay. It wasn't until I came to this ministry that I began to understand the concept of the "whole" tithe. While I was SG "seeking God," I realized that tithing on income after taxes was not tithing on my first fruits nor was it bringing the whole tithe to the storehouse. Instead, I allowed taxes to dictate what my tithe was. Now, I understand that in order for me to bring the whole tithe, that I MUST tithe on what I make pre-taxes and while that is sometimes a huge sacrifice, it is a sacrifice that I cheerfully give as I have known what is was like to live a life where the devourer was given free reign.

I will continue to SG (Seek God) on this principle and remain committed to tithing. I will also SG to ensure that I am tithing with the right heart. Lately, I have felt so financially overwhelmed and I constantly feel like I cannot make ends meet. This is strange because I am tithing, I am bringing my ENTIRE tithe to His storehouse. I am tithing on my payday and I am tithing before I spend money on ANYTHING else, so I don't understand why it feels that I am continuing to put money into a purse with holes and my family doesn't have enough. I really want to SG because I am not as concerned with having plenty as I am with wanting to ensure that I am in line with His will for my life

Erin: “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone” !! Please read all of Matthew 8:5-13 to get the full impact of what Jesus said of the Centurion and what I am saying about Cierra’s faith. Rather than giving up and giving in, Cierra continued to tithe because she knew God said to “test” Him because she’d Trusted Him as He says to do in Malachi 3:10 all while her answer was waiting in her “RESTORED Group Meeting.”

I also want to let Cierra know that very often financial issues after restoration are meant to get the attention and change your husband, they're not your trial, so it has nothing to do with you tithing with the right heart we see that you have :).

Then I went on to share how to be prepared to give her husband the gentle answer when he began to worry about their finances too.

It’s important to learn that the symptom of not having enough, like a symptom with your physical health, can mean many things are the cause—such as the lack Cierra is feeling, but what is for her husband’s benefit, not hers.

Dear Brides,

I know tithing may seem like a daunting task when you can barely make ends meet at times. But, I encourage you to look around and witness the devastation and loss that the world is currently experiencing and know that He is capable of sparing us because we are tithing. Tithing allows us to become a protected class of citizens that cannot be stolen from by the devourer. Let's trust Him as He will provide for all of our needs according to His riches in Glory if we trust and obey.

Haggai 1:6-9—

"You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes."

This verse resonates the loudest with me because I feel like I am experiencing this despite my tithing. I want to understand what I am doing that is causing catastrophe in my life as I want to be in line with Him and the will that He has for me!

~ Cierra Restored

P.S.
Cierra’s double blessing is due in June! YES, she’s expecting a RESTORATION Baby!!

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Question and Answer

When Cierra received money from her baby shower, she submitted one of our ministers’ Concern forms designed to be used to make sure that our ministers are living exemplary lives as ministers.

Cierra: My question is how do I tithe off of a gift card. I have been SG and I was lead here to ask. I did not share this with my 3 Cord of ePartners, I apologize, but I want to ensure that I am honoring my HH with the firstfruits of all of my increase and that I am in no way harming the ministry by failing to tithe appropriately. I sensed that I should come directly to leadership for instruction.

When Cierra filled out a Concern form, and asked about TITHING from her baby gift, I honestly didn’t know the answer, so I left it in my inbox marked with a question mark (that I always do when I don’t readily know the answer if I’ve never SG for wisdom before. So, I stopped asked God for wisdom, then left it there to continue working through my emails.

About twenty minutes later He revealed the answer and truth.

What came to my mind was this, "Too bad she got a Gift Card and the giver(s) didn't just purchase something for Cierra’s baby, like a crib or rocker or a bunch of things for her nursery, because then she wouldn't need to worry about tithing on it."

So that's it then! We don't think to tithe on a tangible gift, like when I recently was blessed by my ministers on my birthday when they purchased an outdoor chair for me. Like would I give the Lord the pillow from it? No. So if instead of something tangible, money is given so the recipient can CHOOSE the a tangible gift for themselves. This means, there is no need to think about tithing on it. Unless...

Since Cierra will be short financially, since she is on a “non-paid” maternity leave, if she or someone were to take the gift money or even a portion of gift money to pay bills then that portion would become income. No, I don't think it's wrong to do so, if that's how the Lord led and that was not a stipulation or a known factor like they said, “and please don’t pay bills with it.” So if then, by choice, the gift money became income, that portion would need to be tithed on.

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“Everything Changed So Drastically”

Two weeks ago i was listening the talk about the life in my country. It was so bad and so sad-how people don't want to get married, they just live together, they don't want to have a babies, because everything is about money and people don't have enough money. They need security, which they don't find in this state. I was so sad because I never ever heard anybody preaching about tithing, which can change everything.

When I believed this principle with my all heart-the same how I believe the rest of God's word, everything changed so drastically. I am amazed at how much I am really blessed in everything. And I know it is just because I started to tithe, and i no longer care or worry if I will have enough. The Lord is promising, if I tithe, He will bless me abundantly and He is doing exactly what He said.

Thank you Erin for teaching this important principle and that you are so adamant about it.

As I said before, I was struggling with this principle, because I wanted to tithe so much, but didn't have own money. So i had to trust the Lord and I did it from the money my EH (earthly husband) gave me. And then everything just happened. All the blessing on the top of my head.

I am so happy that I can obey the Lord and I can even openly talk about tithing in my family even though they did not try it yet. But they see how much I am blessed so I hope one day the Lord will open their hearts and they will do the same.

I made a commitment to myself and the Lord that I will never think if I should tithe or not. It is mandatory for me no matter what. I know the Lord might test me, if I will really follow. But i want to obey, because what I am giving is really nothing, but what is He giving me is unbelievable.

And one more thing which I would love to do is, I never want to store any money for me, my baby. Everybody is asking me if I have a saving account for my son, because he should have one. Yes, he has, but in Heaven, not in earth.

I never want to care about earthly things, I always want to search for the Kingdom of my Beloved and I trust that the rest will be given to me, simply because He is the best and He is taking care of His bride.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9

Please pray with me: My Lord, please forgive me that in the past i was in love with money. I always wanted to earn good and never gave You Your portion. Forgive me my Father that I even stressed about how will I be able to live without money (at the beginning of my RJ). Forgive me, that I though I have to take care of myself, never knew about Your desire to take care of me.

Forgive me that I underestimated Your power and You sweet heart towards me.

My Lord everyday I am more and more grateful that You brought me to You, to this ministry where I am fed daily. I thank You that You were concern about me and You had just the best for me and You are giving me just the best.

I am so happy to know all of Your principles and apply them. And You are so good that You were even telling me to test You. And I did and You showed me that I can really trust You with everything.

I thank You that I can give everything into Your hands and You take care of it.

This is not the first time we read about this tithing principle. All of us can see how important it is and what the Lord really wants to do after obeying this principle is, that He wants to shower us with His blessing.

SO let's together stand with open umbrella and wait for His shower of blessing from Heaven, because what He promises, He fulfills.

John 6:12—"When the people He fed were filled, Jesus said to His disciples, 'Gather up the fragments so that nothing will be lost.'"

It is clear that the Lord doesn't give us as much as we need. He always give us more.

Matthew 6:19-21—“Do NOT store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Yes, my treasure in no longer on earth, but in Heaven and nobody will be able to steal it from me.

~ Abagail

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“Tithe AND Offering”

Growing up and well into my adulthood, I never understood the principle of tithing. Unfortunately, I saw and knew many ministers in my community and elsewhere who used this principle as a way to grease their palms and not as we should do. as an assurance policy as Erin so eloquently states. It wasn't until I came to RMI that I began to understand the importance of tithing my whole storehouse. As I began to give my first fruits, the Lord gave me a downpour of blessings. As a minister and a restored Bride of Christ, it is even more important for me to follow this principle for not only myself, but for the many other women that has and will come through RMI so they may learn and share in the riches of God's kingdom.

Since I used to subscribe to devotional articles and newsletters of other ministries, at one point I felt I should be tithing to them to. However, reading this lesson and through prayer made me realize that I am being fed primarily through RMI which is where my tithing should go. Also, after reading the prior RMIOU lesson on NO OTHER MINISTRY or CHURCH Conflicts, I unsubscribed to most of the newsletters and ministries and realized that since I am fed through RMI through many sources, even my volunteer duties as a minister, my whole tithes should continue to come here and any other giving would be above and beyond that or an offering since Malachi 3:8–10 tells us, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes AND offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!”

Now since understanding the truth, I will continue to bring my whole tithe to my storehouse to the ministry where I am being mostly fed - RMI. Any other ministry (which should tie into what I've learned here) I may want to tithe to, I will give an offering and not a portion of my tithe. Just like I pay my life insurance policy or car insurance policy as protection against an accident or to have money in case of death, even more so I must pay tithes as an assurance policy against Satan.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9

If you've struggled in this area of tithing, please stop and pray with me:

Lord, I ask you to cleanse my heart from any lingering thoughts that are contrary to fully offering up tangible possessions to you. he world wants to have me to believe that this is an outdated principle, it doesn't apply in the modern world, but nothing could be further from the truth. Help me to stick to this principle, no matter where you might lead me in the future. I want to be able to say, without hesitation each time that my assurance policy is paid in full.

Dear Lord, I ask that you continue to help me grow in you and in your Word. The path that was chosen for me is not an easy one, and the world would like for me to believe that I'm crazy; that your principles are outdated and no longer applicable. But I know that your Word is the same as yesterday, today and tomorrow. In Isaiah 55:11, you tell us "so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." So in all that I do, help me to always keep you and your principles close.

Dear bride,

God's word does not return void. May we always keep Him close and His words hidden in our hearts in all that we do for protection and blessings now and when He calls us home.

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 NIV

Whether it's tithing or any other principle of our HH, it is true and accomplishes His plans He has for our lives Therefore I shall stick by them no matter what.

~ Phyllis in Vermont, RESTORED

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“I Stumble when I Listen to Others”

When I was attending church I always struggled with tithing. There was many times I so felt the Lord dealing with me on this area and I would tithe for awhile and then I would make excuses or allow the enemy to tell me lies. Sadly I’d even heard people in the church who would say the Lord understands that you cannot tithe so give what you can, this caused me to stumble when I listen to others and not the word of the Lord. He commands us to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse for our protection to prove He’s first in our lives.

So I was determined that when I came to RMIEW that I was going to be obedient and tithe. Yes, the enemy tried with his lies but I knew the word and I was determined to be obedient. It does not matter if the Lord blesses me with anything, because He said to do it, I am doing just want He said and as a result I have a restored marriage.

If someone would ask me what I would say to others, I would say listen to what the Lord says in his Word and not to others and push past the fear. I have had pastors who would not preach tithing because they did not want to offend people or for people to think they just wanted their money. I had no idea that when you do not preach the whole word of God you are compromising his word, which thankfully doesn’t happen here at RMIEW.

If you struggle with tithing, stop and pray with me:

Dear Lord,

I thank you for never giving up on me and continue to deal with my heart about the tithe and how important it is to follow your word. Lord those times when I listened to the enemy or to others and did not bring my whole tithe I ask you to forgive me.

Dear bride,

To bring the whole tithe to the storehouse that the Lord has directed you to. Do not compromise his word but to be obey his word fully.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

If His word is convicting you that you are not tithing or bringing the whole tithe than you need to repent and turn from disobedience and do what the word says.

I have learned to give of my time or things when I did not have an income. He can surely use us when we give ourselves for Him to use. We can be a blessing to others when we get out of His way. I learned that going to church and being in church and tithing was not His will for me. As a matter of fact, until I let go of my church, I was starving spiritually and so was my family. I actually was going against His will and dishonoring Him and my eh by going to church with my children. I was a self-righteous Pharisee. Thankfully, He showed me His way and forgave me. I am grateful to be able to be blessed financially so that I can tithe to this ministry and give financially to the Christian radio stations I listen to that fill my heart and mind with Godly principles and praise music. Hallelujah!

~ Bonita in Georgia RESTORED

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“Honoring Him with His Firsts”

Malachi 3:8–10 clearly states, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!”

I used to cringe at this verse. I felt that this was just part of a pastoral rhetoric used to get people out of their seats and into their wallets. I thought it was a scare tactic, used to guilt people into giving. I arrogantly and erroneously believed that my money was mine to spend as I pleased. I carelessly lived my life, my “Christian” life, racking up debt, indulgently spending on gluttonous activities, and being totally and completely self-absorbed. I did not sow into my Father’s House. I am now so ashamed.

That is why I yell from the rooftop that it was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees! (Psalm 191:71) Had my HH not allowed me to go through this marital crisis, I would have never begun this journey of restoration. I would have never been led to this ministry, and I would have never been set free by the Truth. I would have continued to live my life for me and destroying everyone and everything connected to me. I would have never learned to read His Word for myself. After we are informed that we are robbing Him by failing to pay our tithes and offerings, He tells us that He will rebuke the devourer from us! That was such a powerful wake up call for me, as I came to realize that a lot of the hell that I was going through, I was inviting in! How? By failing to pay my tithes and giving an offering.

I must confess that I have lived on both sides of His instruction. I can personally attest to the fact that He will make a way out of no way when we are tithing. I remember sitting at my dining room table with my EH trying to figure out how we were going to scrape money together to get diapers and dinner. Within minutes our mail was delivered and we received a settlement check from our house that we sold! Totally unexpected, totally right on time. I can also attest to the fact that when I did not tithe, I would get paid on Thursday and be flat broke my Thursday evening and wondering where my money went. My purse had holes because I failed to give back to the Him what was rightfully His!

NO MORE! I will honor Him with the first of my increase as that is the least I can do!

~ Cierra

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“Faithful to Provide”

Ladies, I can't stress enough how important it is to obey and tithe to your storehouse. God wants us to test Him in this and He will be faithful to provide. God's timing is always perfect. My oldest daughter attends college approximately two hours away. I made plans to visit her during a recent holiday for some much needed one on one time. Due to my extremely tight budget, God knew I was concerned with how to come up with the money needed to buy the extra gas required to travel this far. I did not even realize I was fretting about it, but God knew I was thinking it. The day before I was to leave, I looked in my mailbox and guess what I had? Yes - an unexpected check, such a wonderful gift from God.

My HH (Heavenly Husband) has shown me during this journey that He is always with me. He is patient in teaching and disciplining me when I error in my ways; encourages me when I feel like giving up; carries me when I become tired; loves me unconditionally and never gives up on me. That is just a few things He does for me and the good news is that He wants to do that for you too!

Dear HH. Thank You for this journey and continuing to change me into the person You created me to be. I just ask that You be with all my sisters. Guide them, direct them and reassure them through their personal journey. Teach them to lean on and to turn only to You, for You alone are all they need, thank you for giving Your Son to die on the cross over 2,000 years ago for the forgiveness of my sins.

~ Lanie in Michigan

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“A Thousand Blessings”

Before I start my evening, I want to praise the Lord with you. He is just so wonderful! When I think of Him, I think of Love, Patience, Love, Mercy, Love...You get the picture:)

A year ago, I gave my finances over to the Lord by tithing. To be honest, I did it out of obedience and not at all because I thought I could “afford.” In the beginning I tithed to my church and after I left my church, to this ministry.

Every month, I would think what I could do with that money, but the Lord whispered in my ear and I instead I tithed. I kept on giving and saw the fruits immediately. The devourer was rebuked on my behalf!

In the beginning it was not as if there was more money, it just somehow lasted longer. LOL. I do not know how to explain it.

Then later, as soon as a need arose, He showed me I could go to my HH and He would send someone to help. I would get money from unexpected places. Thank you Lord.

One day I told the Lord that if I have to fix everything around the house myself, He must please give me the wisdom to do so. A while later (after a pipe incident LOL) my father-in-law gave me strict instruction to let him know if anything in and around the house breaks so he can help me (they live walking distance from us). Praise the Lord!!!

A few Saturdays ago my car broke down. My HH (Heavenly Husband) arranged it so someone could tow my car for free and it happened to be something that could be fixed by my father-in-law and while I was waiting for it to be fixed, my mother-in-law loaned me her car to go to and from work.

I praise the Lord for every person He sends my way. It is so true that He will never let us be tested beyond what we can endure and we must never forget the part that says, He sends the outcome.

How do I ever thank Him enough for each and every day I wake up in His presence, every day I spend with Him and every night I go to bed with Him in my thoughts?

He has shown me time and time again that He is true to His Word and that He will never forsake me. He will never disappoint me.

I have never felt so loved. Every time I call, He answers. When I talk, He listens.

The encourager said "When there are enough of your tears captured in the heaven lies, then the showers of blessings will come!" Wow, It feels like a thousand blessings for every teardrop cried on His shoulder.

He is the best Husband a girl could ask for!

~ Yvonne