There is little you can talk about Biblically that makes me cringe. But talk about tithing, get near financial matters, and I want to hide under the table. Tithing is difficult for me.

For years we didn’t tithe. We left a twenty in the offering plate now and then, and called it good. Not because we didn’t want to tithe, but because we were in over our heads with bills.

Our finances were a mess and not because of my husband. I spent too much money without asking him, repeatedly. It was only a few years ago, when I surrendered my spending habits to The Lord and to my husband, that we actually began coming out of the red.

At that time I was called to begin tithing. Inspired by a sermon, I wrote a check for not just part of the tithe, but the whole tithe. I tested God. I expected provision, but we went under that month. I didn’t understand. God was supposed to provide! So why didn’t he?

I believe it is because I refused to sacrifice. I continued to spend money frivolously on whatever I wanted, all the while writing the tithe check. I didn’t want tithing to require sacrifice. I wanted money to fall from the sky. And when it didn’t, I was upset.

After that, I refused to tithe again. I tested God, and in my mind, He had failed me. I probably would have never tithed again had it not been for the wisdom of my husband.

He decided we needed to be on a strict cash budget, and that this budget would include a tithe. I despised the idea of it, but knew it was necessary. And with the sacrifice of my spending habits, the tithe was-and is there.

This past two weeks we didn’t tithe. It was Christmas, we were out if town, and the cash budget went out the window. But Friday we start anew. I must admit, I am tempted to take that cash and spend it on a clothes! I love clothes. But I won’t. Because that is wrong. Way wrong. Instead, God’s getting the Holy guacamole on Friday. All of it. So I’m not tempted to convince my husband that we need it for something else.

Part of learning sacrifice is continued and increased obedience with my finances. This is tough for me! But here you go Lord, after all it’s your guacamole anyways. Help me to be faithful with it.